People Who Cut Down Trees: Who Should I Hire?

Call a professional tree trimmer or arborist to cut down your trees

lumberjack with chainsaw to cut tree
Photo: Halfpoint / iStock / Getty Images
lumberjack with chainsaw to cut tree
Photo: Halfpoint / iStock / Getty Images
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Geo Icon

Cutting down trees can be a dangerous job if you don’t have the proper tools, skills, and experience. That’s why it’s best to hire licensed and professional people who cut down trees to handle your tree-felling needs. Luckily, our guide will show you who to hire when looking for people who cut down trees with expert-level care.

3 tree professional types, including arborist and tree removal professional

Benefits of Hiring a Tree Cutting Company to Cut Down Trees

If you’re figuring out how to safely cut down a tree, you’ll want to call in a licensed and professional tree cutting company near you. There are many benefits to hiring a tree-cutting company, including the following.

Experience

Professional tree-cutting companies have the knowledge and expertise to ensure the job is done correctly. Not only can they properly assess the tree to determine how best to cut it down, but they can also spot any potential hazards that you may have yet to learn about. There’s plenty of nuance and problem-solving involved with cutting down a tree, so it’s best to work with a professional team with plenty of experience under their belts.

Licensed and Insured

It’s essential to hire a tree-cutting company that’s both licensed and insured. Not only will you and your home be protected in an accident or damage to your property, but the tree-cutting company and its workers will also be covered. 

Safety

Safety is paramount when it comes to people who cut down trees. When you hire a tree-cutting company, you can expect proper safety and training to be at the forefront of their business. These pros will equip themselves with the proper safety equipment, such as hard hats, protective gloves, protective eyewear, and more.

Cost Benefits

When calculating your tree removal cost, you might look at the price tag—$200 to $2,000—and think you can cut down the tree yourself. However, if you take this project on yourself, you could accidentally injure yourself or cause damage to your home or a neighbor’s property. The cost to repair the damage could end up being more than the original cost for tree removal. So, getting the job done right the first time with professional help is highly cost-effective.

Equipment and Supplies

When hiring a professional tree cutting company, you won’t need to worry about purchasing or renting heavy, expensive equipment. Pros will have the necessary tools, supplies, and equipment to ensure the job is done safely and efficiently. Not to mention that tall trees require specialty equipment, such as cranes or bucket trucks, which require licensure and experience to operate.

Can I Hire an Arborist for Cutting Down Trees?

man cutting into tree trunk
Photo: cwarham / iStock / Getty Images

Hiring an arborist is another great option for cutting down trees. Arborists have experience caring for trees of all ages and conditions—making them an ideal choice for felling trees. Here are the pros and cons of hiring an arborist:

Pros

  • Able to safely remove trees

  • Provides tree maintenance

  • Prevent diseased trees from spreading to nearby landscaping

  • Able to save diseased or infested trees

  • Permitted to service trees near power lines

  • Puts the health of the tree first

Cons

  • Can be cost-prohibitive

  • Not all states require arborists to be licensed and insured

  • May not have equipment, team, and experience necessary to cut down large trees

How Do Tree Cutting Companies Cut Down Trees?

The tree removal process involves several steps, including taking many safety precautions before beginning the work. Here’s what you can expect from people who cut down trees:

  1. Inspect the area to ensure there’s plenty of room for the tree to fall safely.

  2. Pros will cut a notch near the trunk’s base and make a cut on the opposite side, allowing the tree to fall over.

  3. Some trees will need removal in pieces for safety reasons. In this case, a tree-cutting pro will physically climb the tree or use a bucket truck to remove the limbs in pieces.

  4. Pros will also attach large limbs to a crane for safe removal.

  5. Once the tree has fallen to the ground, workers will remove all limbs and cut the tree into smaller, workable pieces.

  6. Pros will finally dispose of all the tree components by hauling them away, using a wood chipper to make mulch, or cutting the tree into firewood.

How Much Does It Cost to Cut Down a Tree?

The amount you’ll pay a professional to cut down a tree depends on several factors, such as type, size, and location. The average cost is around $750 but prices can range from $200 to $2,000. There can be additional costs like tree and stump removal, and cleaning up debris may cost extra, too. However, it’s better to hire a professional to cut down a tree because it can be extremely dangerous and cause property damage if it is not done correctly. 

DIY vs Hiring a Pro

If you have experience cutting down trees and have the proper equipment and tools, you can tackle this project yourself. At the very least, you’ll need a chainsaw, an ax, a trusted spotter, and plenty of room around the tree so it doesn’t cause damage when it falls.

However, we recommend calling in a pro to cut down trees. Not only is it much safer, but you won’t need to worry about the tree or branches falling and causing damage. Avoid DIYing cutting down trees unless it’s a very small tree or have professional experience with this task.

Frequently Asked Questions

It can be difficult to determine when a tree should be cut down, but there are a few signs to look out for. Signs include a tree that’s severely leaning to one side, has extensive storm damage, or has a hollow trunk. It’s best to hire an arborist to inspect the tree to determine if it can be saved or needs to be removed. 

Since summer is a busy time for tree companies, the cheapest time of year to remove a tree is during the winter. February and March are typically the prime time to hire a tree removal pro, and some homeowners living in colder climates can save around 20% off services. It depends on location and the company, but you can always shop around for the best deal.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
The homeowners guide to tree services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Tree trimmer in safety helmet observes a yellow Vermeer stump grinder mulching a tree stump in a sunny, grassy area.
May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025
It’s important to remove troublesome stumps: Here’s everything you can expect from stump grinding costs for your next landscaping project.
Worker trims large tree branch using a chainsaw while elevated in a bucket truck surrounded by dense green foliage.
May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025
Discover what the current average tree removal cost is based on different factors to know how much it will cost to take care of a dead or troublesome tree on your property.
Two workers with chainsaws clear fallen tree branches in a grassy area surrounded by trees one wearing flannel and the other in safety gear.
May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025
Trees are fantastic marvels of nature, but they can also be large and cumbersome. Can you get the city to trim or remove a tree for free? Keep reading to find out.
Tree worker in safety helmet uses a chainsaw to cut small branches off a fallen tree in a wooded grassy area.
May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025
Can you cut down a tree on your property? There are laws about trees and chopping them down, so read this guide before you start a tree clearing project.
Three works in safety helmets use chainsaws to cut large logs as sawdust flies in a sunny outdoor setting.
May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025
Trees absorb carbon dioxide, and fight pollution and global warming, not to mention create oxygen, something every living thing needs to survive.
Tree trimmer in a bucket lift uses a chainsaw to cut a large tree branch on a sunny day surrounded by green foliage.
May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025
If you’ve hired a tree service to trim your trees or remove them, you’ll have to decide whether to tip the pros afterward. Learn more about your options.