10 best tree removal companies in San Ramon, 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 decaying, diseased or threatening your home's architecture, it may be necessary to remove it. Tree removal is especially important in San Ramon due to the area's high wildfire risk. To ensure your hazardous tree gets removed safely, turn to licensed professionals with the right equipment and experience.

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

Tree removal professionals are well-versed in the proper cutting techniques and use specialized equipment to remove trees following local ordinances. By partnering with a reputable tree removal company in San Ramon, you can have peace of mind that the job will be completed safely and to a high standard.

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

Look for tree removal companies in San Ramon 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 San Ramon is below average 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 alerts:

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

If you notice raised dirt near the tree trunk's base, or if the tree is visibly starting to lean, it's in danger of falling. Contact a tree removal service 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 increase their risk of falling. Falling trees can cause considerable property damage and seriously injure people 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?

Tree removal professionals may offer a range of other services. Besides their main focus removing trees, some contractors can help with these other jobs:

• Debris removal: Debris like logs, leaves and branches is often left behind after tree removal. Some companies can use dump trucks or flatbeds to haul debris away.
• Stump removal: After the team finishes removing your tree, only the stump will remain. You can choose to grind down the stump so the tree's remains will decompose. A contractor can also remove the stump altogether in some cases. While this is more expensive than grinding, it guarantees the tree won't grow back.
• Wood chipping: Tree removal teams often use wood chippers to shred tree trunks and branches. If you choose, you can use the chips as mulch to improve your other plants' growth.
• Landscaping services: Some tree removal providers provide landscaping services. This could include filling the hole where the tree stump was or planting a new tree.

How to choose the best tree removal service in San Ramon

Find the right tree removal company for your job based on these factors.

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 pruning, moving and planting trees for optimal growth and well-being. 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 earn certification. ISA-certified arborists have the knowledge, experience and skills to help with your tree removal.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

Tree removal companies should have extensive insurance coverage, including general liability, workers compensation and business liability. These policies help protect you, your property and the company’s workers in the event of an accident. 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

To determine if removing a tree is the right choice, get a professional tree risk assessment (TRA). After you request a TRA, an arborist will determine your tree's fall risk and what damage could result from a fall. The arborist will first look at the tree from a distance to look for obvious signs of damage. They will then circle around the tree to inspect its roots, crown and trunk. Some arborists use specific equipment to study the tree's insides.

Get a free estimate

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

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask those closest to you for tree removal company suggestions. While suggestions from loved ones are helpful, it's important to read online reviews on BBB, Yelp 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.