9 best tree removal companies in Memphis, Tennessee

While healthy trees enhance your home's curb appeal and give your yard cooling shade, unhealthy trees create safety concerns for your property. If a tree is decaying, diseased or threatening your home's architecture, it may be necessary to remove it. Tree removal is also important for mitigating fire risk, as dead trees are more flammable than live ones. To ensure your hazardous tree gets removed safely, call on licensed professionals with the right equipment and experience.

You should prioritize removing trees that are diseased, have a high fall risk, or which are damaging your foundation. However, trying to do it yourself could result in property damage or injury.

When you hire a reputable tree removal company in Memphis, you'll have a skilled team to safely remove your tree with specialized cutting techniques and equipment in accordance with local regulations.

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Memphis

Look for tree removal companies in Memphis with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Use the filters below to help you find the right company for your needs.

How do you know a tree needs to be removed?

Consider removing a tree if you see severe damage or decay, or if its roots or offshoots are growing too close to your house. The number of decayed trees in Memphis is relatively high compared to other major metro areas. Consider seeking advice from a tree removal professional if any of the following apply to your tree:

The tree is severely burned or visibly dead. The tree is dropping an unusual amount of sap, seeds, needles, branches or leaves. The tree has diseases, mold or pests weakening its structure. The tree's branches or trunk are cracked and won't heal. The tree's roots are causing your home's foundation to crack or lift. The tree has damage from heavy rain or thunderstorms. The tree or its offshoots are too close to your home, garage or shed.

Leaning trees and trees with elevated dirt surrounding their trunk bases are at higher risk of falling. If you notice either of these signs, contact a professional tree removal team right away to evaluate the damage and remove the tree before it causes harm.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, sometimes called danger trees, have irreparable structural defects that make them more likely to fall. Falling trees can pose a serious threat to pets, people, property and vehicles. A few signs that a tree has structural defects include dead branches, rotten wood, large cracks, loose bark and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you think your property has a hazard tree, get it removed immediately.

What other tree services might you need?

In addition to removing trees, some tree removal companies offer a range of extra services, including these:

• Debris removal: Tree removal contractors can use flatbed or dump trucks to haul leftover leaves, logs and branches away from your home.
• Wood chipping: Tree removal specialists can use wood chippers to shred tree trunks and branches. You can use the chips as mulch for your flower beds.
• Stump removal: Only the stump will remain after a tree removal. A professional might recommend removing the stump altogether based on the circumstances. They may also grind the stump so the tree's remnants decompose more easily. Stump removal is more expensive than grinding, but it guarantees that the tree won't regrow.
• Landscaping services: Some tree removal professionals also offer landscaping services. If you hire one of these companies, you could add a fresh tree or level the area where the stump was located.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Memphis

Think about these factors to find the best tree removal company for your needs.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

A licensed arborist can assess your tree's condition and offer relevant solutions, such as restoring its health or safely removing it to mitigate fall risk. Arborists also provide guidance on moving, planting and pruning trees. Tennessee doesn't have arborist licensing rules, so we recommend looking for an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Arborists must have three years of field experience and pass an exam to earn certification. ISA-certified arborists have the skills, knowledge and experience to remove your tree.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

Tree removal companies should carry extensive insurance coverage, including business liability, workers compensation and general liability. These policies help protect you, your property and the company’s workers in the event of an accident. City and county governments often set their own tree removal licensing requirements. A contractor in Memphis doesn't need a state license if tree removal is all they offer. We recommend checking with the Memphis government and your county to ensure a prospective contractor is properly licensed.

Request a tree risk assessment

Getting a tree risk assessment (TRA) helps you evaluate whether tree removal is the best course of action and highlights the benefits of taking down a potentially hazardous tree. To perform a TRA, an arborist starts by identifying clear signs of damage from a distance. Then, they'll circle around the tree, closely inspecting the trunk, crown and roots. Sometimes, arborists use specialized gear to study the tree's interior.

Get a free estimate

Many tree removal contractors provide free consultations and service estimates. Obtain quotes from several providers to assess their prices and recommendations.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask friends and family for tree removal company recommendations. While referrals from trusted sources can be insightful, take time to read online reviews on Yelp, BBB and Google Reviews before making your choice.

Our methodology for selecting tree removal companies

The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.