10 best tree removal companies in Norwood Park, Illinois

While healthy trees improve your home's curb appeal and give your yard refreshing shade, unhealthy trees present potential hazards to your property. If a tree is decaying, diseased or threatening your home's architecture, you may need 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.

Removing diseased trees and other trees with high fall risk is critical for your property's health. However, trying to tackle the project yourself could lead to serious injury and costly property damage.

Tree removal professionals are well-versed in the proper cutting techniques and utilize specialized machinery to remove trees in compliance with local regulations. By partnering with a reputable tree removal company in Norwood Park, you can trust that the job will be completed safely and properly.

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Norwood Park

Look for tree removal companies in Norwood Park 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?

You should trim or remove a tree if it’s displaying evidence of severe damage or decay, or if it’s growing too close to your home. The number of decayed trees in Norwood Park is average compared to other parts of the country. Seek advice from a tree removal professional if you notice any of the following signs:

The tree or its offshoots are dangerously close to your home or another structure on your property. The tree is severely burned or visibly dead. 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 is dropping an unusual amount of branches, seeds, needles, sap or leaves. The tree has damage from heavy rain or thunderstorms. The tree has diseases, pests or mold weakening its structure.

If you notice 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 reputable tree removal company as soon as you can if you notice either of these signs, and have the tree professionally assessed.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, also known as danger trees, contain irreparable structural defects making them more prone to fall. A falling tree could damage or injure vehicles, pets, people and property. A few signs that a tree has structural defects include loose bark, dead branches, rotten wood, large cracks 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?

Tree removal contractors may offer a range of other services. Besides their main focus removing trees, some contractors can help with the following additional services:

• Debris removal: After tree removal, there will be a lot of leaves, branches and logs to get off your property. A contractor can use flatbeds or dump trucks to remove debris faster.
• Stump removal: After the team finishes removing your tree, only the stump will remain. You can choose to grind down the stump so it will more easily decompose. A contractor can also completely remove the stump in some cases. While this is more expensive than grinding, it guarantees the tree won't regrow.
• Wood chipping: As the team removes your tree limb by limb, they might use a wood chipper to further break the brush down. Consider giving the tree a second life by using the chips as mulch for your garden.
• Landscaping services: If you hire a tree removal company that provides landscaping services, the team could help level holes or install a fresh tree.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Norwood Park

Follow these steps to make the right tree removal company decision for your needs.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

A licensed arborist can assess your tree's condition and offer suitable solutions, such as restoring its health or safely removing it to mitigate fall risk. Arborists also provide guidance on moving, planting and pruning trees. Illinois 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 help with your tree removal.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

Tree removal companies should carry extensive insurance coverage, including workers compensation, general liability and business 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. Illinois doesn't license these companies at the state level. We recommend contacting Norwood Park officials and your county to ensure a prospective contractor complies with the requirements.

Request a tree risk assessment

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

Get a free estimate

Most tree removal companies provide complimentary consultations and estimates. Collect estimates from several providers and compare rates to find the best value.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask those closest to you for tree removal company recommendations. While referrals from trusted sources can be valuable, it's still wise 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.