What time of year is best for tree removal?

If a tree is dead, leaning, cracked, or hanging over your house, do not wait for the perfect season. Call a qualified company soon, because storms and wind do not follow a calendar.

For a healthy tree that you simply want removed, timing is a matter of convenience. In many areas, tree companies get busy in the weeks after storms and in the warm growing season. In colder months they may have more open dates, and some homeowners find scheduling easier. That is not true everywhere, so ask the companies in your area when they are slow.

Bare branches in winter make it easier to see the shape of the tree, any dead limbs, and what is near it. Frozen ground can also help heavy equipment avoid damaging a lawn. On the other hand, ice, snow, and strong wind can make a job unsafe, and good crews will postpone in those conditions.

Some trees have special timing for pruning because of disease risk, but removal is less sensitive. If your tree might have a pest or disease, ask the company or a certified arborist whether there are rules about moving or disposing of the wood in your area.

Our seasonal calendar shows what many tree companies do in each month, and can help you plan.