10 best tree removal companies in Nashville, Tennessee

While healthy trees elevate your home's curb appeal and give your yard welcome shade, unhealthy trees present potential hazards to your property. If a tree is diseased, decaying 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, turn to licensed professionals with the right equipment and experience.

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

When you hire a reputable tree removal company in Nashville, you'll have a skilled team to safely remove trees with specialized cutting techniques and equipment in accordance with the city's requirements.

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Nashville

Look for tree removal companies in Nashville 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 Nashville is comparatively low compared to other major metro areas. If you observe any of the following signs, consider hiring a tree removal specialist.

The tree has diseases, mold or pests weakening its structure. The tree or its offshoots are too close to your home or another structure on your property. The tree is dropping far more seeds, branches, leaves, sap or needles than usual. The tree is visibly dead or severely burned. The tree's branches or trunk are cracked and won't heal. The tree's roots are making your home's foundation crack or lift. The tree has damage from heavy rain or thunderstorms.

If you observe raised dirt around the base of the tree trunk, or if the tree is beginning to lean, it's at risk of falling. Contact a tree removal contractor as soon as possible to review the extent of the damage and safely remove the tree if necessary.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, also known as danger trees, have structural defects beyond repair, making them more likely to fall. A falling tree could damage or injure vehicles, people, property and pets. Rotten wood, loose bark, dead branches, large cracks and hollow cavities near the tree base are all indicators of structural defects. If you have a hazard tree on your property, remove it as soon as possible.

What other tree services might you need?

Some tree removal contractors provide a variety of extra services beyond removing trees. These may include the following:

• Wood chipping: As the team removes your tree branch by branch, 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.
• Debris removal: After tree removal, there will be a lot of branches, leaves and logs to clear. A contractor can use flatbeds or dump trucks to remove debris faster.
• Stump removal: Once the removal crew finishes cutting down your tree, only the stump will be left. You can grind the stump down so what's left of the tree can decompose. A more expensive option is to remove the stump altogether, which guarantees the tree won't grow back.
• Landscaping services: Some tree removal professionals double as landscapers. By choosing one of these companies, you could install a replacement tree or fill the hole where the stump was located.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Nashville

Find the right tree removal company for your project by considering these factors.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

An arborist is a scientific specialist who can examine your tree's needs and advise you on the proper care. This can include restoring its health or removing it if it's in danger of falling. Arborists also provide recommendations for pruning, transplanting and planting trees. Tennessee does not require arborists to be licensed, so we recommend looking for an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Arborists must have at least three years of experience and pass an exam to get certified. ISA-certified arborists have the knowledge, skills 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 is 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 requirements. A contractor in Nashville doesn't need a state license if tree removal is the only service they offer. We recommend contacting Nashville officials and your county to ensure a prospective contractor is properly licensed.

Request a tree risk assessment

A tree risk assessment (TRA) can help you determine if removing a potentially dangerous tree is the right step to take. To perform a TRA, an arborist starts by searching for clear signs of damage from a distance. Then, they'll walk around the tree, closely inspecting the crown, trunk and roots. Sometimes, arborists use advanced gear to study the tree's interior.

Get a free estimate

Many tree removal companies offer free estimates and consultations. We recommend getting multiple estimates to compare recommendations and prices.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask those closest to you for tree removal company referrals. While referrals from trusted sources can be valuable, it's still wise to read online reviews on BBB, Google Reviews and Yelp 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.