10 best tree removal companies in Sumter, South Carolina

While healthy trees improve your home's curb appeal and give your yard refreshing shade, unhealthy trees create safety concerns for your property. If a tree is diseased, decaying 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, hire 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, doing this task yourself increases the potential for injury and damage to your home.

When you hire a reputable tree removal company in Sumter, you'll have a skilled team to safely remove trees with specialized cutting equipment and techniques in accordance with local regulations.

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Sumter

Look for tree removal companies in Sumter 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 Sumter is high compared to other American cities. If you observe any of the following warning signs, contact a tree removal expert.

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

Leaning trees or trees with raised dirt surrounding the tree trunk base are more likely to fall. Contact a trusted tree removal provider right away if you observe either of these signs, and have the tree professionally assessed.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, sometimes referred to as danger trees, have structural defects that cannot be fixed, increasing the probability of them falling. Falling trees can cause significant property damage and severely harm people and pets. A few signs that a tree has structural defects include loose bark, large cracks, rotten wood, dead branches 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?

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

• Stump removal: Once the removal crew finishes cutting down your tree, only the stump will remain. You can grind the stump down so it will more easily decompose. A more expensive option is to remove the stump altogether, which guarantees the tree won't grow back.
• 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.
• Debris removal: Tree removal usually leaves behind large debris such as branches, logs and leaves. A professional can use a dump truck or flatbed to haul away debris.
• Landscaping services: Tree removal contractors sometimes offer landscaping services. They can level holes left over from stump removal or plant a fresh tree where your old one stood.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Sumter

Find the right tree removal company for your job by considering these factors.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

A tree removal company's staff arborist is the right expert to get your tree care questions answered. They'll tap into their extensive scientific training to assess your tree's health and provide the necessary treatments, including restoration or removal if the tree poses a falling hazard. Arborists are also a valuable resource for advice on pruning, moving and planting trees. South Carolina does not require arborists to hold 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 earn certification. ISA-certified arborists have the knowledge, experience and skills to remove your tree.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

When hiring a tree removal company, ensure it carries comprehensive insurance coverage, including business liability, general liability and workers compensation. This coverage can financially protect you if an accident happens. City and county governments often set their own tree removal licensing requirements. South Carolina doesn't license these companies at the state level. We recommend contacting Sumter 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 determine if removing a potentially dangerous tree is the right step to take. After you ask for a TRA, an arborist will determine your tree's fall risk and what damage could come from a fall. The arborist will first visually assess the tree from a distance to identify obvious signs of damage. They will then walk 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

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

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask friends and family for tree removal contractor suggestions. While a personal recommendation can be valuable, it's still wise to read online reviews on BBB, Google Reviews and Yelp 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.