10 best tree removal companies in Wheaton, Maryland

While healthy trees enhance your home's curb appeal and give your yard cooling shade, unhealthy trees present potential hazards to 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, call on licensed professionals with the right equipment and experience.

It's important to get rid of diseased trees with higher fall risk, as well as trees impacting your home's foundation and structural integrity. The task, however, is very risky if done improperly. Trying to do the job alone could result in property damage or personal injury.

Tree removal specialists have mastered the proper cutting techniques and employ specialized equipment to remove trees in accordance with local regulations. Working with a reputable tree removal company in Wheaton ensures that the job will be executed safely and correctly.

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Wheaton

Look for tree removal companies in Wheaton 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 see severe damage or decay, or if its roots or offshoots are growing too close to your house. The number of decayed trees in Wheaton is above 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 is severely burned or visibly dead. The tree's roots are making your home's foundation lift or crack. The tree has diseases, pests or mold weakening its structure. The tree's branches or trunk are cracked and won't heal. The tree is dropping far more needles, leaves, seeds, branches or sap than usual. The tree or its branches are dangerously close to your home, garage or shed. The tree has damage from heavy rain or thunderstorms.

Leaning trees and trees with raised dirt around their trunk bases are at higher risk of falling. Contact a reliable contractor right away if you notice either of these signs, and have the tree professionally examined.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, sometimes called danger trees, have structural defects which are beyond repair, increasing the likelihood of them falling. Falling trees can cause significant property damage and gravely hurt people and pets. Signs of structural defects include rotten wood, loose bark, dead branches, large cracks and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you have a hazard tree on your property, remove it as soon as possible.

What other tree services might you need?

Apart from cutting down trees, some tree removal companies offer a variety of supplementary services, including the following:

• Debris removal: Tree removal contractors can use flatbed or dump trucks to haul leftover branches, leaves and logs away from your home.
• Stump removal: After the team finishes removing your tree, only the stump will be left. You can choose to grind down the stump so it will more easily 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: A tree removal specialist can use a wood chipper to shred the trunk and branches following the tree's removal. Afterward, you can use the chips in your garden to enhance plant growth.
• Landscaping services: Tree removal contractors sometimes offer landscaping services. They can assist in covering holes left over from stump removal or plant a healthy tree where your old one stood.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Wheaton

Use these considerations to make the best tree removal company decision for your needs.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

An arborist is a scientific specialist who can study your tree's requirements and advise you on the appropriate care. This can include rejuvenating its health or taking it down if it's in danger of falling. Arborists also provide recommendations for planting, transplanting and pruning trees. To work in Wheaton, 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 knowledge, experience and skills to help with your tree removal.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

Tree removal providers should carry 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. 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

To determine if removing a tree is necessary, have a professional tree risk assessment (TRA). During a TRA appointment, an arborist will determine the chance the tree could fall and what damage could ensue. They'll begin by inspecting the tree from afar for clear damage indicators. Next, they'll circle the tree up close, inspecting its crown, roots and trunk. Some arborists use advanced equipment to analyze the tree's interior.

Get a free estimate

Many tree removal companies offer free estimates and consultations. Get estimates from at least two companies to compare prices and recommendations.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask friends, neighbors and family for tree removal company referrals. Even with a personal recommendation it's, it's still important to research 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.