10 best tree removal companies in Saugus, Massachusetts

While healthy trees elevate your home's curb appeal and give your yard refreshing 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, call on licensed professionals with the right equipment and experience.

You should prioritize removing trees that are diseased, have a high fall risk, or which are compromising your foundation. However, attempting to do it yourself could lead to injury or property damage.

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

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Saugus

Look for tree removal companies in Saugus 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 growing too close to your house. The number of decayed trees in Saugus is comparatively high compared to other parts of the country. It's wise to speak with a professional tree removal contractor if you spot any of these alerts:

The tree's roots are making your home's foundation lift or crack. The tree is visibly dead or severely burned. The tree has mold, diseases or pests weakening its structure. The tree is dropping far more seeds, branches, leaves, needles or sap than usual. The tree or its offshoots are too close to your home, garage or shed. The tree has damage from heavy rain or thunderstorms. The tree's branches or trunk are cracked and won't heal.

Leaning trees and trees with elevated dirt surrounding their trunk bases are at higher risk of falling. Contact a reliable contractor right away if you observe either of these signs, and have the tree professionally assessed.

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, people, vehicles and pets. Signs of structural defects include large cracks, loose bark, rotten wood, dead branches and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you have a hazard tree on your property, have it removed as soon as possible.

What other tree services might you need?

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

• Wood chipping: As the team removes your tree branch by branch, they might use a wood chipper to shred the tree parts. Consider giving the tree a second life by using the chips as mulch for your garden.
• Stump removal: Only the stump will remain once a tree removal job is complete. A professional might recommend completely removing the stump based on the circumstances. They may also grind the stump down so the tree's remnants decompose more quickly. Stump removal is more expensive than grinding, but it guarantees that the tree won't grow back.
• 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.
• Landscaping services: If you hire a tree removal company that provides landscaping services, the team could help fill leftover holes or plant a new, healthy tree.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Saugus

Think about these factors to choose the right tree removal company for your needs.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

Arborists are scientific experts that help you care for your trees. They may recommend health restoration services for your tree or removal if a tree has a high fall risk. Arborists can also offer valuable insights on planting, moving and pruning trees to help them grow properly and last for years. Massachusetts does not require arborists to get a license, 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 obtain the certification. ISA-certified arborists have the experience, skills and knowledge to remove your tree.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

Choose a tree removal company carrying insurance for 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. City and county governments often set their own tree removal licensing regulations. Massachusetts doesn't license these companies at the state level. We recommend checking with the Saugus government and your county to ensure a prospective contractor meets all requirements.

Request a tree risk assessment

A tree risk assessment (TRA) can help you decide if removing a potentially dangerous tree is the best decision. During the TRA, an arborist will evaluate 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 trunk, crown and roots by circumnavigating the tree. Some arborists use specific tools to examine the tree's internal structure.

Get a free estimate

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

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask neighbors, friends and family for suggestions on reputable tree removal services near you. It's also wise to read online reviews on sites like BBB, Google Reviews and Yelp.

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.