10 best tree removal companies in West Pensacola, Florida

While healthy trees enhance 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.

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 lead to serious injury and expensive property damage.

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

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in West Pensacola

Look for tree removal companies in West Pensacola 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 West Pensacola is marginally high compared to other parts of the country. Seek advice from a tree removal expert if you see any of the following signs:

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

If you observe raised dirt around the base of the tree trunk, or if the tree is beginning to lean, it's more likely to fall. Contact a tree removal contractor immediately to assess the tree and help remove it if necessary.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, sometimes referred to as danger trees, have structural defects that cannot be fixed, increasing the likelihood of them falling. Falling trees can cause considerable property damage and gravely hurt people and pets. Signs of a structural defect include dead branches, loose bark, large cracks, rotten wood and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you suspect your property has a hazard tree, get it removed immediately.

What other tree services might you need?

Tree removal companies offer a variety of services. In addition to removing trees, many companies offer the following:

• Debris removal: Tree removal usually leaves behind large debris such as logs, leaves and branches. A professional can use a dump truck or flatbed to haul away debris.
• Wood chipping: Tree removal specialists can use wood chippers to break down tree trunks and branches. You can use the chips as mulch for your flower beds.
• Stump removal: Only the stump will remain following a tree removal. A professional might recommend completely removing the stump based on the circumstances. They may also grind the stump so the tree's remnants decompose more easily. Stump removal is more expensive than grinding, but it guarantees that the tree won't regrow.
• 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 West Pensacola

Use these factors to select the best tree removal company for your needs.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

A tree removal company's staff arborist is the go-to expert to get your tree care questions answered. They'll tap into their extensive scientific training to assess your tree's specific requirements 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 planting, pruning and moving trees. Florida 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 three years of field experience and pass an exam to get certified. ISA-certified arborists have the knowledge, experience and skills to help with your tree removal.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

When hiring a tree removal company, make sure it has comprehensive insurance, including business liability, workers compensation and general liability. This coverage can financially protect you if an accident happens. City and county governments often set their own tree removal licensing regulations. A contractor in West Pensacola doesn't need a state license if tree removal is the only service they offer. We recommend contacting the West Pensacola government and your county to ensure a prospective contractor is properly licensed.

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 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 crown, roots and trunk by circumnavigating the tree. Some arborists use advanced tools to examine the tree's internal structure.

Get a free estimate

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

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask friends, neighbors and family for recommendations for tree removal companies in your area. It's also wise to read online 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.