10 best tree removal companies in New Haven, Connecticut

Healthy trees can increase your home's curb appeal and bring shade to your yard, but unhealthy trees pose risks to your property. You may need to remove a tree if it's decaying, diseased or threatening your home's architecture. Tree removal is also crucial for mitigating fire risk, as dead trees are more flammable than live ones. Licensed professionals have the proper equipment and experience to safely remove a tree from your property.

It's crucial to remove diseased trees, trees with high fall risk and trees that are damaging your foundation. However, performing this task yourself increases the potential for personal injury and damage to your home.

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

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in New Haven

Look for tree removal companies in New Haven 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?

When a tree shows signs of severe damage or decay, or if its roots have gotten too close to your home, removal is often the optimal decision. The number of decayed trees in New Haven is comparatively high compared to other parts of the country. It's wise to get advice from a professional tree removal contractor if you observe any of these indicators:

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

If you see raised dirt around the tree trunk's base, or if the tree is visibly beginning to lean, it's in danger of falling. Contact a trusted tree removal provider right away if you notice either of these signs, and have the tree professionally examined.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, also known as danger trees, contain structural defects beyond repair, making them more prone to fall. Falling trees can cause significant property damage and seriously injure people and pets. A few signs that a tree has structural defects include dead branches, large cracks, rotten wood, loose bark and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you believe your property has a hazard tree, get it removed immediately.

What other tree services might you need?

Some tree removal contractors provide a range of additional services apart from removing trees. These may include the following:

• Wood chipping: A tree removal expert can use a wood chipper to shred the trunk and branches once the tree is cut down. Afterward, you can spread the mulch in your garden to enhance plant growth.
• Stump removal: Once the removal crew finishes cutting down your tree, only the stump will remain. 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.
• Debris removal: Tree removal contractors can use flatbed or dump trucks to haul leftover branches, leaves and logs away from your home.
• Landscaping services: If you hire a tree removal company that provides landscaping services, the team could help fill leftover holes or install a fresh tree.

How to choose the best tree removal service in New Haven

Consider these factors to choose the best tree removal company for your needs.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

A tree removal company's staff arborist is the go-to expert to get your tree care questions answered. They'll tap into their extensive scientific training to assess your tree's health and provide the necessary treatments, including health restoration or removal if the tree poses a falling hazard. Arborists are also a valuable resource for advice on moving, planting and pruning trees. Arborists in New Haven 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 knowledge, experience and skills to help with your tree removal.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

When hiring a tree removal company, make sure it has comprehensive insurance, including workers compensation, general liability and business liability. This coverage can financially protect you if an accident happens. County and city governments often set their own tree removal licensing laws. A contractor in New Haven doesn't need a state license if tree removal is all they offer. We recommend contacting the New Haven government and your county to ensure a prospective contractor is properly licensed.

Request a tree risk assessment

By getting a tree risk assessment (TRA), you'll receive professional advice on whether removing a tree is necessary. The assessment also outlines the risks of keeping a potentially hazardous tree. After you ask for a TRA, an arborist will determine your tree's fall risk and what damage could result from a fall. The arborist will first visually assess the tree from a distance to look for obvious signs of damage. They will then walk around the tree to inspect its trunk, roots and crown. Some arborists use specialized equipment to study the tree's insides.

Get a free estimate

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

Read reviews from homeowners

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

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.