10 best tree removal companies in Middletown, Connecticut

Healthy trees elevate your home's curb appeal and offer a shady retreat in your yard. Unhealthy trees, however, can jeopardize your property. Removing a tree may be necessary if it is diseased, decaying or threatening your home's architecture. Tree removal is also important for mitigating fire risk, as dead trees are more flammable than live ones. Licensed tree removal professionals in Middletown can use their equipment and experience to help you safely remove a tree from your property.

It's crucial to get rid of diseased trees with higher fall risk, as well as trees impacting your home's foundation and structural integrity. The task, however, is very risky if done improperly. Attempting to do the job by yourself could lead to personal injury or property damage.

Tree removal experts know the proper cutting techniques and use specialized equipment to remove trees according to local regulations. By working with a reputable tree removal company in Middletown, you can have more confidence that the job will get done safely and properly.

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Middletown

Look for tree removal companies in Middletown 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?

If a tree on your property shows indications of severe damage or decay, or if it's growing too close to your house, you may need to have it removed. The number of decayed trees in Middletown is average compared to other parts of the country. If you notice any of the following signs, consider hiring a tree removal specialist.

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

Leaning trees or trees with raised dirt encircling the tree trunk base are more likely to fall. Contact a tree removal contractor immediately to assess the tree and help remove it if necessary.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, also known as danger trees, have irreparable structural defects making them more prone to fall. A falling tree poses a substantial risk to vehicles, property, pets and people. Rotten wood, dead branches, loose bark, large cracks and hollow cavities near the tree base are all indicators of structural defects. If you have a hazard tree on your property, get it removed immediately.

What other tree services might you need?

Some tree removal companies offer an assortment of extra services apart from cutting down trees. These may include the following:

• Debris removal: Tree removal contractors can use flatbed or dump trucks to haul leftover leaves, branches and logs away from your home.
• Wood chipping: As the team removes your tree limb by limb, they might use a wood chipper to shred the tree parts. Consider giving the tree a second life by using the chips as mulch for your garden.
• Stump removal: Only the stump will remain once a tree removal job is complete. A professional might recommend completely removing the stump based on the circumstances. They may also grind the stump down so the tree's remnants decompose more easily. Stump removal is more expensive than grinding, but it guarantees that the tree won't grow back.
• Landscaping services: Some tree removal services provide landscaping services. These services might include filling the hole where the tree stump was or planting a new tree.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Middletown

To select the right tree removal company for your needs, think about these factors.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

An arborist is a scientific professional who can examine your tree's requirements and advise you on the appropriate care. This can include restoring its health or taking it down if it's in danger of falling. Arborists also provide recommendations for planting, transplanting and pruning trees. Arborists in Middletown need a license from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). They can also pursue a private certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Certification requires three years of experience and passage of an exam. Licensed and ISA Certified arborists have the skills, knowledge and experience to help with your tree removal.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

Choose a tree removal company with insurance covering general liability, business liability and workers compensation. A contractor's insurance policy acts as a safety net for you, your property and the company's team members in case something goes wrong while they work. City and county governments often set their own tree removal licensing regulations. Connecticut doesn't license these companies at the state level. We recommend contacting Middletown building officials and your county to ensure a prospective contractor is properly licensed.

Request a tree risk assessment

To determine if removing a tree is the best choice, get a tree risk assessment (TRA). During a TRA appointment, an arborist will assess the chance the tree could fall and what damage could result. They'll begin by visually examining the tree from afar for clear damage indicators. Next, they'll circle the tree up close, inspecting its roots, trunk and crown. Some arborists use advanced equipment to analyze the tree's interior.

Get a free estimate

Many tree removal companies offer a free consultation and services estimate. Get estimates from more than one company to compare prices and recommendations.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask friends, neighbors and family for tree removal company referrals. Even with a referral from someone, it's still important to verify a company's reputation by reading reviews on sites like BBB, Google Reviews and Yelp.

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.