Tree Removal in Framingham, MA

Most of the trees we take down in Framingham are not in open fields. They sit ten feet from a house, hang over a neighbor's fence, or lean across power lines on a side street off Edgell Road. That changes how the job gets done. A tree like that comes down in pieces, roped and lowered, so nothing hits the roof, the deck, or the lawn.

How a removal goes

We start with a walk around the tree, with you if you are home. We look at the lean, the condition of the wood, what sits underneath, and how we will get equipment in. Then you get a written price. No surprises on the day of the job.

On the day, the crew sets up, ropes off the work area, and a climber or bucket truck takes the limbs down first. The trunk follows in sections. Brush goes through the chipper, and the wood gets cut to length. If you want to keep the wood for the fireplace, tell us and we will stack it where you like. Otherwise it leaves with us.

Before we pull out, we rake the lawn and blow off the driveway. You should not be able to tell we were there, other than the tree being gone.

When a tree should come down

Not every tree that looks rough needs to go. A lot of them just need a good pruning. But these signs usually mean removal is the safer call:

• Large dead limbs throughout the crown, or the whole tree failed to leaf out
• Mushrooms or soft, punky wood at the base or on the root flare
• A new lean, or soil heaving up on one side after a storm
• Deep cracks or a split where two big stems meet
• Ash trees with heavy woodpecker damage or bark falling off, a common sign of emerald ash borer

If you are unsure, call us. We will tell you straight if the tree can be saved. We would rather prune a tree for you every few years than take it down when it does not need to go.

Removals near the street

Trees between the sidewalk and the road, or right on the edge of the public way, are often city trees under Massachusetts law. Framingham's tree warden has a say over those, and a healthy one usually cannot come down without a public hearing. We can help you figure out whose tree it is before you spend money on it. Our guide on street trees covers how this works.

What it costs

Price depends on height, trunk size, what the tree is hanging over, and access. A small ornamental in an open backyard is a short job. A 90-foot white pine leaning over a house in Saxonville takes a full crew most of a day. We put the number in writing after we see it. For rough ranges, read our tree removal cost guide.

Stump grinding is quoted separately, and most people have us do it the same day. See stump grinding.

Common Questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my own property in Framingham?

For a tree fully on private property, usually no. Trees in or on the edge of the public way fall under the state shade tree law and the city tree warden. Wetland buffers and some site plans can carry their own rules. If the tree is close to a street, a stream or a pond, ask us and we will point you to the right office.

Will you take the wood?

Yes. The price includes chipping the brush and hauling the wood unless you ask us to leave it. Many customers keep the larger rounds for firewood.

Can you remove a tree that is over my house?

Yes. Most of our removals involve a roof, a fence or a wire. The tree comes down in small sections on ropes so nothing drops on the house.

How soon can you come out?

Estimates are usually within a few days. Scheduled removals are typically booked one to three weeks out depending on the season. Storm damage and trees on houses get handled right away.