10 best tree removal companies in Owings Mills, Maryland

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, 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, turn to licensed professionals with the right equipment and experience.

It's essential 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 property damage.

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

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Owings Mills

Look for tree removal companies in Owings Mills 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 observe severe damage or decay, or if its roots or offshoots are encroaching on your house. The number of decayed trees in Owings Mills is average compared to other small towns. If you see any of the following signs, consider hiring a tree removal professional.

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

Leaning trees or trees with raised dirt surrounding the tree trunk base are at a high risk of falling. Contact a tree removal professional immediately to evaluate the tree and help remove it if necessary.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, sometimes called danger trees, have irreparable structural defects that make them prone to falling. Falling trees can pose a significant threat to property, pets, vehicles and people. Signs of a structural defect include loose bark, dead branches, rotten wood, large cracks and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you believe your property has a hazard tree, have it removed as soon as possible.

What other tree services might you need?

In addition to cutting down trees, some tree removal companies offer a range of supplementary services, such as these:

• Wood chipping: Tree removal specialists can use wood chippers to shred tree trunks and branches. You can keep the chips and spread them in your gardens as mulch.
• Stump removal: After removing a tree, only the stump remains. Depending on your budget and needs, a service professional can completely remove the stump or grind it down so what's left of it will decompose. Removal is more expensive than grinding, but it guarantees the tree won't grow back.
• Debris removal: After tree removal, there will be a lot of branches, leaves and logs to get off your property. A contractor can use flatbeds or dump trucks to remove debris faster.
• 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 Owings Mills

To choose the best tree removal company for your needs, keep these factors in mind.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

Arborists are scientific experts that help you care for your trees. They may recommend restoring the tree's health or removal if a tree has a high fall risk. Arborists can also offer valuable insights on moving, pruning and planting trees for optimal growth and well-being. To work in Owings Mills, an arborist needs a Tree Expert license from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. 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, experience and knowledge 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 general liability, workers compensation and business liability. This coverage safeguards you, your property and the company's employees if an accident occurs during the job. All tree care professionals in Maryland must be Licensed Tree Experts (LTEs) through the Department of Natural Resources. To become an LTE, individuals must demonstrate appropriate education and experience and must carry appropriate insurance. Ensure that potential tree removal service providers are licensed before hiring.

Request a tree risk assessment

By getting a tree risk assessment (TRA), you'll get a professional opinion on whether removing a tree is essential. The assessment also details the risks of keeping a potentially hazardous tree. After you request a TRA, an arborist will evaluate your tree's potential to fall and what damage could come from a fall. The arborist will first visually assess the tree from a distance to look for obvious signs of damage. They will then circle around the tree to inspect its crown, trunk and roots. Some arborists use particular equipment to study the tree's insides.

Get a free estimate

Many tree removal contractors provide free estimates and consultations. Obtain quotes from multiple companies to assess their prices and recommendations.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask family, neighbors and friends for suggestions on reputable tree removal services near you. It's also wise to browse online 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.