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Tree Removal St. Louis Done Safely by Local Arborists

When a tree on your St. Louis property needs to come down, you need a removal team that brings the right equipment, the right training, and the right insurance to the job. We are a locally owned tree service company providing professional tree removal throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and the surrounding Missouri communities. Our ISA-certified arborists assess every tree before any work begins — so you know exactly what to expect, and the job is done safely from start to finish.

ISA Certified Arborists

Fully Licensed & Insured

Free Onsite Estimates

Serving All of St. Louis

Expert Tree Removal St. Louis Services

Tree removal is one of the most technically demanding tasks in professional tree care. A mature tree can weigh several tons, and removing one safely in a residential neighborhood — near a house, fence, power line, or neighboring property — requires careful planning, specialized equipment, and an experienced crew that has handled hundreds of removals like yours before.

Our team handles every type of removal scenario: dead and dying trees in open yards, storm-damaged trees leaning on structures, hazardous trees growing against houses, large ash trees compromised by Emerald Ash Borer, overgrown trees in tight urban lots, and multi-tree removal projects across commercial properties. We use bucket trucks, cranes, and rigging systems for complex takedowns, and our crews are trained to protect your lawn, landscaping, and structures throughout the entire process.

Every tree removal job includes full debris removal and site cleanup. When we leave, your yard is clean and ready for whatever comes next — whether that is sod, a garden bed, a new tree, or simply more open space.

Signs Your Tree Needs to Be Removed

Not every troubled tree needs to come down — but some do. Our ISA certified arborists evaluate your tree honestly and will only recommend removal when it is genuinely the right call. Here are the most common reasons St. Louis homeowners and property managers request tree removal service:

Tree Removal St. Louis

The tree is dead or in advanced decline — Dead trees lose structural integrity rapidly. Branches become brittle, bark separates from the trunk, and the root system can destabilize entirely. A dead tree in your yard is a falling hazard that worsens every season it remains standing.

Storm or wind damage has compromised the structure — St. Louis severe weather events regularly split trunks, shear off major scaffold branches, and uproot trees entirely. If a fallen tree or a heavily damaged tree is leaning toward your home or a neighboring structure, that is an emergency that requires immediate attention.

The tree is diseased beyond recovery — Common diseases in St. Louis trees include Emerald Ash Borer damage in ash trees, Oak Wilt, Dutch Elm Disease in elm trees, and severe Anthracnose infections. When disease has spread through the vascular system and defoliation is extensive, removal protects surrounding healthy trees.

Roots are damaging your property — Tree roots actively lifting a driveway, cracking a foundation, or infiltrating a sewer line are a recurring issue across St. Louis County neighborhoods where mature trees grow close to older homes. Removal is often the most cost-effective long-term solution.

The tree is a hazardous liability — A tree with a heavily split trunk, co-dominant stems with included bark, or significant lean toward a structure may be structurally sound today but represents a serious risk during the next major storm event. An arborist assessment will tell you whether cabling and bracing can manage the risk or whether tree removal is the safer answer.

The tree is in the wrong place — Sometimes a tree simply needs to come down to accommodate construction, a new addition, a driveway expansion, or a landscape redesign. We handle tree removal for contractors, developers, and homeowners managing landscaping projects across the St. Louis area.

Our Tree Removal Process in St. Louis

We follow a consistent, safety-first approach on every job. Here is what to expect when you hire us for tree removal in St. Louis:

Step
1

Free on-site estimate

We come to your property, assess the tree, discuss any concerns you have, and give you a clear written quote before any work begins. No obligation, no pressure.

Step
2

Pre-job planning

For complex removals near structures, we plan the rigging approach, equipment access route, and drop zones in advance. If the job requires crane equipment or traffic control, we arrange it.

Step
3

Controlled takedown

Depending on the tree's location, size, and condition, we either fell the tree in sections from the top down using climbing and rigging, or bring it down in a single controlled fall when space allows. Equipment choices include bucket trucks, cranes, and chainsaws

Step
4

Debris removal and cleanup

All wood, branches, and chips are removed from the property. We rake and blow the area before we leave. If you want to keep the wood for firewood, just tell us — we will stack it for you.

Step
5

Optional stump grinding

We offer stump removal and stump grinding on the same visit or as a follow-up service. Leaving a stump creates ongoing issues including resprouting, pest attraction, and tripping hazards.

Tree Removal St. Louis Cost

One of the most common questions homeowners ask is: how much does tree removal cost in St. Louis? The honest answer is that it depends on several factors — but we can give you a realistic range. In St. Louis tree removal typically costs between $300 and $2,500, with most residential jobs falling in the $500–$1,200 range. What drives the cost:

Tree size — A 20-foot ornamental tree costs significantly less to remove than a 70-foot oak or ash tree. Height, trunk diameter, and canopy spread all affect the scope of work.

Location and access — A tree in an open backyard with no obstacles is simpler and less expensive to remove than one growing against the side of a house, near a power line, or in a confined urban lot.

Condition — Dead and structurally compromised trees require extra care. Brittle wood and unpredictable failure points mean the job takes more time and planning.

Stump removal — Stump grinding adds to the cost but is strongly recommended. We offer competitive rates when stump removal is combined with tree removal on the same visit.

Emergency service — Emergency tree removal following storm damage typically carries a premium due to the urgency of response and after-hours availability.

Tree Removal Cost St. Louis

We provide free, written estimates on all tree removal jobs. If you received a quote from another tree service company in St. Louis and want a second opinion, give us a call — we are happy to provide a competitive comparison.

Emergency Tree Removal in St. Louis, MO

When a tree comes down on your home, garage, vehicle, or fence after a St. Louis storm, you need a response that is fast, safe, and professional. Our emergency tree removal service operates across all of Greater St. Louis — we prioritize urgent calls and respond as quickly as possible to get your property secured.

Our emergency crew is equipped to handle trees that have fallen onto structures, large branches lodged in a roof, uprooted trees blocking driveways, and storm-damaged trees that are partially down and at risk of further failure. We work with your homeowner's insurance company when needed and can provide documentation of the damage and removal scope.

If you have an emergency, call us directly. Do not wait for an email response when a tree is on your house.

Stump Removal After Tree Removal in St. Louis

Tree removal is only half the job if the stump is left behind. A tree stump continues to cause problems: it sends up root sprouts that require ongoing management, attracts termites and wood-boring insects, creates a tripping hazard in the yard, and takes up space you could use. Our stump removal service in St. Louis grinds stumps down to below grade level — clean, fast, and complete.

We use commercial stump grinders capable of handling stumps of any diameter, including the large hardwood stumps from oak, elm, hickory, and ash trees that are common throughout St. Louis County. Stump grinding is most cost-effective when scheduled on the same visit as the tree removal.

Residential & Commercial Tree Removal in St. Louis

We provide tree removal services for both residential property owners and commercial clients across the St. Louis metro area. Residential tree removal accounts for most of our work — from single-tree removals in residential neighborhoods in Webster Groves, Kirkwood, and Clayton, to multi-tree projects on larger lots in Ladue, Town and Country, and Chesterfield.

Our commercial tree removal team serves property managers, HOAs, municipalities, school districts, churches, and businesses. We carry full commercial general liability coverage and can provide certificates of insurance to your facility manager or property management company before any work begins. We also handle land clearing for construction projects and multi-tree removal programs for commercial and institutional clients across St. Louis County and Saint Charles County.

Do I Need a Tree Removal Permit in St. Louis?

Permit requirements for tree removal vary across the St. Louis area and are one of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of professional tree care service. Here is what homeowners in St. Louis need to know:

In the City of St. Louis, certain trees — particularly large, heritage-designated, or street-adjacent trees — may require a permit before removal. The city's Urban Forestry division has jurisdiction over street trees, and private property removal of significant trees can require approval.

In St. Louis County, individual municipalities set their own ordinances. Ladue, Clayton, Kirkwood, and Webster Groves each have tree preservation ordinances that regulate removal of trees over a certain trunk diameter on private property. Some require replacement planting as a condition of permit approval.

Our team is familiar with local tree ordinances across the St. Louis area and will advise you on whether your removal requires a permit before any work begins.

Tree Service FAQs — St. Louis, MO

How long does tree removal take in St. Louis?

Most residential tree removals in St. Louis take between two and six hours depending on the tree's size, location, and condition. A straightforward removal in an open yard can be completed in a single morning. Large or complex removals — trees against structures, crane-assisted takedowns, or multi-tree jobs — may take a full day or span two visits. We will give you an honest time estimate when we come out for your free quote.

Is tree removal covered by homeowner's insurance in St. Louis?

In many cases, yes — if the tree fell due to a covered peril such as a storm, high winds, or lightning. If a fallen tree damaged your home or another structure, most homeowner's insurance policies will cover some or all of the removal cost. We work with insurance companies regularly and can document the scope of damage and removal work for your claim. Contact your insurance provider to confirm your coverage before the job begins.

Can I remove a tree myself in St. Louis?

Technically yes for small trees under 15 feet with clear fall zones — but professional tree removal is strongly recommended for any tree near a structure, power line, neighboring property, or of significant size. Improper tree felling is one of the leading causes of serious injury among homeowners, and an uninsured accident that damages a neighbor's property creates significant personal liability. Hiring a licensed, insured tree service in St. Louis protects you, your family, and your neighbors.

What happens to the wood and debris after tree removal?

We haul away all debris — wood, branches, and chips — as part of every tree removal service. If you want to keep the wood for firewood, we are happy to split and stack it for you before we leave. We compost and recycle all organic debris wherever possible.

Get a Free Tree Removal Estimate in St. Louis, MO

Ready to get started? Contact our St. Louis tree removal team for a free, no-obligation written estimate. We respond quickly, arrive on time, and give you a clear quote before any tree work begins.

Call us directly: (314) 408-6696

Serving: St. Louis City · St. Louis County · Saint Charles County · Jefferson County · and all Greater St. Louis communities including Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Clayton, Ladue, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Des Peres, Ballwin, and surrounding areas.

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2385 Hampton Ave, Ste 103
St. Louis, MO 63139

(314) 408-6696
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Monday to Saturday
8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

St. Louis Tree Service is a professional tree service company serving Greater St. Louis, Missouri. Our tree services include tree removal, tree trimming, tree pruning, stump removal, stump grinding, emergency tree service, plant health care, Emerald Ash Borer treatment, deep root fertilization, tree cabling and bracing, and ISA certified arborist consultations. We serve residential and commercial customers throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Saint Charles County, and Jefferson County — including Clayton, Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Ladue, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, University City, Valley Park, and all surrounding communities in the St. Louis, MO area.

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Professional tree removal, trimming, pruning, stump grinding, and emergency tree service across Greater St. Louis.