Best Tree Service in Illinois 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.

Huber Tree Expert

1622 Scoville Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402

Huber Tree Expert is a family-owned tree care company serving Chicago, IL, and surrounding areas including Cook and DuPage Counties. Since 1987, they have provided a full range of services such as tree removal, stump grinding, tree trimming, ornamental pruning, and land clearing. Their team combines certified arborist expertise with professional equipment to handle projects ranging from routine maintenance to large-scale land clearing. With decades of experience, they focus on preserving the health and safety of trees and properties in the local community.

5.0

611 Reviews

White Oak Tree Care Inc.

chicago

White Oak Tree Care Inc. is a locally owned tree service company based in Chicago, IL. Since 2014, they have offered a wide range of tree care services including tree removal, trimming, stump grinding, and tree planting. Their team includes master arborists who provide expert advice on tree health and maintenance. They also use crane services for large or hazardous tree removals and offer additional services such as cable bracing and seasonal maintenance. White Oak Tree Care Inc. serves the Chicago area and focuses on safe, efficient, and responsible tree care.

5.0

559 Reviews

Lucky 7 Tree Service

28W280 Indian Knoll Trl, West Chicago, IL 60185

Lucky 7 Tree Service provides tree removal, trimming, stump grinding, cabling, bracing, and tree planting services in Chicago, IL. They serve residential, commercial, and municipal clients with a focus on careful and attentive work. The business is owned and operated by an Eagle Scout and offers 24-hour emergency services to handle urgent tree issues at any time.

5.0

339 Reviews

The Tree Bee Arborists, llc

5898 Newport Ave, Portage, IN 46368

The Tree Bee Arborists, LLC provides comprehensive tree care services in Chicago, IL. Their offerings include tree risk assessments, pruning, stump grinding, removal, and emergency tree services. The company is led by an ISA Certified Arborist who ensures expert care and honest recommendations. They focus on tree preservation and plant health for both residential and commercial properties. A notable capability is their emergency tree services, which address urgent situations caused by storms or sudden damage. The Tree Bee Arborists emphasize timely arrival and reliable service.

5.0

265 Reviews

Liberty Tree Service

chicago

Liberty Tree Service provides tree care and removal services in Chicago, IL. Their offerings include tree removal, trimming, pruning, and stump grinding. The team also handles storm damage cleanup by removing fallen trees and debris and can provide temporary roof patches after severe weather. They emphasize safe practices and use specialized equipment to manage tree health and property safety. Emergency tree removal services are available for urgent situations.

5.0

246 Reviews

See more providers in Illinois

#"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