10 best tree removal companies in San Francisco, California

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, call on licensed professionals with the right equipment and experience.

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

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

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in San Francisco

Look for tree removal companies in San Francisco 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 are encroaching on your home, removal is often the best course of action. The number of decayed trees in San Francisco is low compared to other parts of the country. If you observe any of the following signs, consider hiring a tree removal expert.

The tree's trunk or branches are cracked and won't heal. The tree is severely burned or visibly dead. The tree has diseases, pests or mold weakening its structure. The tree is dropping far more sap, leaves, needles, branches or seeds than usual. The tree or its branches are too close to your home or another structure on your property. 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 trunk, or if the tree is beginning to lean, it's in danger of falling. If you see either of these signs, contact a professional tree removal team right away to assess the damage and remove the tree before it causes harm.

What is a hazard tree?

When a tree has irreparable structural defects that put it at high risk of falling, it becomes a hazard tree, sometimes called a danger tree. Falling trees can cause significant property damage and seriously injure people and pets. Signs of a structural defect include loose bark, large cracks, dead branches, rotten wood and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you think your property has a hazard tree, have it removed immediately.

What other tree services might you need?

Beyond cutting down trees, some tree removal companies offer a variety of extra services, such as the following:

• Stump removal: After the team finishes removing your tree, only the stump will remain. You can choose to grind down the stump so what's left of the tree will 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 grow back.
• Debris removal: After tree removal, there will be a lot of leaves, branches and logs to clear. A contractor can use flatbeds or dump trucks to remove debris faster.
• Wood chipping: Tree removal professionals can use wood chippers to break down tree trunks and branches. You can keep the chips and spread them in your gardens as mulch.
• Landscaping services: If you hire a tree removal company that offers landscaping services, the team could help level holes or install a fresh tree.

How to choose the best tree removal service in San Francisco

Find the right tree removal company for your project using these considerations.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

An arborist is a scientific professional who can analyze your tree's needs and advise you on the correct 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. California doesn't have arborist licensing rules, 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 business liability, general liability and workers compensation. A contractor's insurance policy serves as a safety net for you, your property and the company's team members in case something goes wrong while they work. In California, a tree removal professional must have a Tree Removal Contractor license through the Contractors State License Board. Ask potential tree removal service providers about their licensing before hiring them.

Request a tree risk assessment

By getting a tree risk assessment (TRA), you'll receive expert recommendations on whether removing a tree is necessary. The assessment also details the risks of keeping a potentially hazardous tree. During the TRA, an arborist will assess a tree's likelihood of falling and the damage that could result. First, they'll visually evaluate the tree from a distance, looking for obvious damage signs. Next, they'll inspect the roots, crown and trunk by walking around the tree. Some arborists use special tools to examine the tree's internal structure.

Get a free estimate

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

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask friends and family for suggestions on nearby tree removal companies. Even with a personal recommendation it's, it's still important to verify a company's reputation by reading reviews on sites like Yelp, BBB 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.