Top Tree Service in San Jose, California Ranked

Tree services keep your property safe, healthy, and looking its best. Whether you need precision pruning, a hazardous tree removed, or a stubborn stump ground flush, the right pro makes all the difference. Use Landscape Atlas to browse local companies, read customer feedback, and request estimates from providers who serve your neighborhood.

Luna's Tree Service

350 Demeter St #4b, East Palo Alto, CA 94303

Luna's Tree Service is a family-owned business based near San Jose, CA, providing professional tree care across the Bay Area including Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Mountain View. With eighteen years of experience, they offer a range of services such as tree trimming, removal, pruning, stump grinding, landscape maintenance, and storm and emergency services. The company is licensed, insured, and bonded, focusing on safe and thorough tree care for both residential and commercial properties.

5.0

246 Reviews

Emerald View Tree Service

3333 Pepper Tree Ln, San Jose, CA 95127

Emerald View Tree Service is a family-owned company based in San Jose, CA, with over 25 years of experience in tree care and land clearing. They provide services to both residential and commercial customers in San Jose and surrounding areas including Willow Glen, Rose Garden, Campbell, Saratoga, Cupertino, and more. Their capabilities include tree trimming, pruning, removal, stump grinding, hedge shaping, and brush clearing, supported by a fleet of utility trucks, wood chippers, and stump grinders. Emerald View Tree Service is licensed, insured, and fully bonded, offering professional service with same-day free estimates.

5.0

227 Reviews

The Dog Tree Service LLC

2729 Mission St #202, San Francisco, CA 94110

The Dog Tree Service LLC provides tree services including tree removal and stump grinding in San Jose, CA. They focus on maintaining and improving garden health with professional care.

5.0

190 Reviews

SavATree - Tree Service

1993 E Bayshore Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063

SavATree - Tree Service offers professional tree care and land clearing services in San Jose, CA. Their services include tree disease treatment, pruning, removal, stump grinding, cabling and bracing, insect and mite management, fertilization, and wildfire risk management. The team also provides emergency tree services for hazardous situations. They focus on maintaining tree health and safety while preparing properties for landscaping or fire-safe conditions.

5.0

160 Reviews

Brush Pros

san jose

Brush Pros is a tree service and land clearing contractor based in San Jose, CA, specializing in brush clearing, yard cleanup, tree pruning, and fire abatement services. They serve the East Bay region of California, including Oakland, Orinda, and Lafayette, focusing on fire inspection-compliant brush clearing and yard maintenance. With over 40 years of experience since 1982, Brush Pros uses commercial-grade, electric-powered equipment in compliance with local regulations and offers a fire inspection guarantee to help reduce fire hazards on properties.

5.0

154 Reviews

See more providers in San Jose, CA

#"Tree service" is an umbrella term for professional care and removal of trees and large shrubs on residential, commercial, and municipal properties. Common services include:

• Tree pruning and trimming for health, clearance, and appearance
• Tree removal for dead, diseased, storm-damaged, or improperly sited trees
• Stump grinding or full stump removal
• Emergency storm response and hazard mitigation
• Cabling, bracing, and structural support
• Lot clearing and brush chipping
• Plant health care (injections, fertilization, pest/disease diagnosis)
• Consulting, risk assessments, and tree inventories

On Landscape Atlas, you can find companies that offer one or many of these services. Listings are added and managed by the businesses themselves.

Why proper tree care matters

Trees are long-lived assets-and, when neglected, potential liabilities. Hiring a qualified tree service helps you:

• Protect people and property from falling limbs and failing trees
• Improve tree health and longevity with proper, standards-based pruning
• Boost curb appeal and sunlight for lawns, gardens, and solar panels
• Comply with local ordinances, HOA rules, and utility clearance requirements
• Respond quickly after storms to clear driveways, homes, and power lines
• Prevent future problems by identifying disease, decay, and root issues early

Thoughtful tree work is not just cosmetic; it's a safety and risk management decision.

How the tree removal and stump grinding process works

Every project starts with an on-site assessment. A typical workflow looks like this:

1. Site visit and quote: A representative evaluates the tree, access points, obstacles, and disposal preferences. You receive a written estimate describing the scope.
2. Permits and approvals: In some municipalities, removing certain trees or working in rights-of-way requires permits or notifications. Your contractor may assist, but approvals are your responsibility as the property owner.
3. Scheduling and utility locates: Before grinding stumps or digging, underground utilities are marked (811 in the U.S.). Dates are set based on crew availability and weather.
4. Execution: Crews use climbing gear, bucket trucks, or cranes to safely lower limbs and trunk sections. Material is chipped, hauled, or left on site per your agreement.
5. Stump grinding: A grinder reduces the stump below grade, typically 6-12 inches deep. Chips remain as mulch unless hauling is specified.
6. Cleanup and final walk-through: Lawns are raked, hardscapes blown clean, and access areas checked for nails, rope, and debris.

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Typical costs and what affects them

Tree work pricing varies widely by region, tree size, complexity, and disposal choices. The numbers below are general ranges to help you budget; always request itemized quotes for precise pricing.

• Pruning and trimming per tree
  • Small ornamental trees: lower end of the spectrum
  • Medium shade trees: mid-range
  • Large or high-risk trees over structures: higher range due to rigging and time
• Tree removal
  • Small trees (easy access): lower range
  • Medium trees: mid-range
  • Large or complex removals (near roofs, fences, or wires): higher range
  • Extra-large or crane-assisted removals: premium pricing
• Stump grinding
  • Small stumps: lower range per stump
  • Medium to large stumps: increases with diameter and species hardness
  • Surface root grinding, backfill/topsoil, and hauling chips may be additional line items
• Add-on factors that can increase cost
  • Limited access, steep terrain, or tight drop zones
  • Proximity to utilities, septic systems, pools, or delicate landscaping
  • Crane rental, traffic control, or street permits
  • Emergency or after-hours service
  • Wood and debris hauling vs. leaving on site for firewood or mulch

If a quote seems unusually low, check what's included (haul-away, stump grinding depth, lawn protection mats, and cleanup). Make sure insurance, permits, and disposal are clearly spelled out.

How to choose a tree service company

You don't need to be an arborist to hire wisely. Use these filters and questions to narrow the field:

• Credentials and safety
  • Ask if they employ ISA Certified Arborists or follow ANSI A300 pruning standards and ANSI Z133 safety standards.
  • Request proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation; ask that your property be listed as a certificate holder for the job.
• Experience and specialization
  • Look for experience with your specific tree species and situation (e.g., storm-damaged removals over structures).
  • For complex jobs, ask about crane work, rigging techniques, and whether a qualified signalperson is on site.
• Equipment and crew size
  • Bucket trucks, chippers, stump grinders, loaders, and lawn protection mats can reduce property impact and job time.
  • Confirm the crew size and estimated hours to complete.
• Professionalism and communication
  • Clear written estimates, prompt scheduling, and defined cleanup expectations signal a well-run operation.
  • Check recent customer reviews for punctuality, site cleanliness, and care around lawns, fences, and gardens.
• Transparency on scope
  • Ensure the estimate defines cut types (e.g., crown cleaning vs. reduction), clearance goals, and limits to avoid over-pruning.

Timeline: from estimate to clean yard

• Initial contact to site visit: often 1-5 business days during normal seasons; longer after major storms.
• Permits/HOA approvals: can take a few days to several weeks depending on local rules.
• Scheduling: many companies book 1-3 weeks out; emergency work may be same-day or next-day.
• Job duration:
  • Pruning a medium tree: a few hours
  • Removing a large tree: half-day to multiple days
  • Stump grinding: 30 minutes to a couple of hours per stump
• Weather: high winds, lightning, soaked ground, or deep freezes can delay work for safety and lawn protection.

Ask how the company handles weather delays and how they'll communicate schedule updates.

Key components of a safe, successful job

• Assessment: Identify decay, cavities, fungal conks, root plate movement, and targets (homes, cars, playsets).
• Access plan: Determine if a bucket or crane is feasible; plan rigging and drop zones.
• Protection: Use plywood or composite mats to protect turf; place barriers around beds and hardscapes.
• Technical cutting: Make proper pruning cuts outside the branch collar; avoid topping, flush cuts, and lion-tailing.
• Rigging and lowering: Use slings, blocks, friction devices, and taglines to control wood.
• Housekeeping: Keep walkways clear, manage chip piles, and maintain a safe perimeter while work is underway.
• Final cleanup: Rake chips, blow patios, and verify that nails, wedges, and hardware are removed from lawns.

Preparation tips for homeowners

A little prep goes a long way:

• Move vehicles from driveways and curb areas where trucks or cranes may stage.
• Unlock gates and clear narrow access paths of furniture, grills, and toys.
• Mark irrigation heads, low-voltage lighting, and invisible dog fences; share any as-built plans.
• Keep pets and children indoors; discuss start times and noise expectations with neighbors.
• Decide on debris handling: hauled away, left as firewood, or chipped for mulch.
• Confirm where equipment may park and if a street or parking permit is required.
• Photograph pre-existing site conditions you want noted before work starts.

Smart ways to compare quotes

Aim for apples-to-apples comparisons by aligning scope and standards across bids. Ask each company to specify:

• Exactly which limbs or leaders are being removed or reduced, and by how much
• Target clearances from roofs, driveways, and power service drops
• Whether cuts follow ANSI A300 and avoid topping
• If stump grinding includes surface roots, depth (in inches), and chip hauling
• Lawn protection measures (mats/plywood) and who repairs ruts
• Disposal details: logs removed, left in rounds, chipped on site, or milled
• Permits, traffic control, and utility locates-who handles what
• Start date, estimated duration, crew size, and rain/wind policy
• Proof of insurance and any warranties on workmanship or property repair

Have each bidder sign or initial a brief scope checklist. Clear scopes minimize surprise charges and misunderstandings.

Questions to ask before you hire

• Will a Certified Arborist be on site or supervising?
• Can you provide a certificate of insurance naming me as certificate holder for this job?
• What pruning method will you use, and which standards do you follow?
• How will you protect lawns, irrigation, and garden beds?
• Will a crane or bucket truck be used? If not, why?
• What's included in cleanup, and how will debris be handled?
• What is your stump grinding depth and chip disposal policy?
• How do you handle schedule changes due to weather?
• What payment methods do you accept, and is a deposit required?
• Can you share recent references for similar work?

Signs you might need tree service soon

• Dead or hanging branches ("widowmakers") after storms
• Mushrooms or conks at the base, indicating potential internal decay
• Cracks, splits, or heaving soil around the root plate
• Sudden lean or recent soil upheaval
• Epicormic sprouts after past topping or stress
• Bark beetle galleries, borer holes, or oozing sap
• Branches scraping roofs or blocking driveways and sidewalks
• Trees interfering with service drops or growing into primary lines (call your utility first)

If you suspect immediate risk, keep people clear and contact an emergency-capable provider.

Safety, permitting, and utility locates

• Safety first: Professional crews should wear PPE and follow established safety standards, use spotters, and maintain public barricades where needed.
• Permits: Many cities regulate removals over certain trunk diameters, heritage trees, or work in the public right-of-way. Check local ordinances and HOA rules before scheduling.
• Utilities: Call 811 before stump grinding or any digging so underground lines are marked. For trees near overhead primary lines, contact your utility; only specially authorized crews may work in those clearances.

Alternatives to removal

Not every risky or inconvenient tree must come down. Ask about:

• Structural pruning to reduce end-weight or improve clearance
• Cabling and bracing to support weak unions
• Crown reduction (not topping) to manage size and wind sail
• Target management-relocating sheds, swing sets, or parking
• Species-specific health treatments where appropriate

A skilled arborist will explain what can be preserved-and when removal is the prudent choice.

What happens to the wood and chips?

Discuss end-use options ahead of time:

• Haul away: Standard in many quotes; fees reflect transport and disposal time.
• Leave on site: Logs bucked into rounds for firewood; chips left as mulch for beds and pathways.
• Milling: Some species and straight logs can be milled into slabs; this may require a sawyer partner and additional handling.
• Green waste recycling: Many markets compost or biofuel wood waste; ask where your debris will go.

Clarity here prevents surprise piles-and can turn a removal into usable mulch or timber.

Aftercare: finishing touches once the crew leaves

• Stump area: Chips will settle; top off with soil if you plan to seed or sod. Rake out chips where you intend to plant.
• Lawn repair: Light ruts usually rebound; deeper impressions may need topdressing. Ask about optional restoration services.
• New plantings: If you're replacing a tree, choose species suited to your climate, soil, and space-mind the mature size and utility clearances.
• Follow-up pruning: Young trees benefit from formative pruning in their first years to establish strong structure.

Glossary: common terms you'll hear

• ANSI A300: Industry standard for tree pruning and care practices.
• Crown cleaning: Removal of dead, diseased, and crossing branches.
• Crown reduction: Shortening the crown using reduction cuts to suitable laterals (not topping).
• DBH (Diameter at Breast Height): Trunk diameter measured 4.5 feet above ground-key for permits and pricing.
• Drip line: Ground area under the outer edge of the tree's canopy.
• Lion-tailing: Over-thinning inner branches-generally improper.
• Root plate: The zone of main structural roots; movement here can indicate instability.
• Stump grinding depth: How far below grade the stump is ground-often 6-12 inches.

How Landscape Atlas helps you find the right pro

Landscape Atlas is a service directory that makes it easy to discover and contact local tree service companies. You can:

• Browse nearby providers for tree removal, pruning, and stump grinding
• Compare services, read customer feedback, and request estimates
• Contact businesses directly to discuss scope, pricing, and scheduling

Note: Landscape Atlas does not perform tree work, vet, or endorse individual companies. Always verify licenses, insurance, and references before you hire.

Take the stress out of tree care decisions. Explore local providers on Landscape Atlas, compare clear quotes, and move forward with confidence.

Frequently asked questions