Tree service in Ann Arbor, MI: how to choose, local facts and permits

Get two or three written quotes from insured local companies, ask for proof of insurance sent by the insurer, read recent Google reviews and ask who handles any city permit. In our October 2026 check we found 20 tree companies listed on Google Maps in the Ann Arbor area, so you have choices.

Our October 2026 check of Google Maps found 20 tree service companies in the Ann Arbor, MI area after removing duplicates, franchises and unrelated businesses. The real number may be higher, because some crews are not on Google Maps.

Not on its own. 10% of the Ann Arbor listings we checked had no website. Look instead at insurance, a written quote, recent reviews and how clearly they answer your questions.

There is no magic number. The median Ann Arbor listing we checked had 82 reviews and the three most-reviewed had between 115 and 1,576 reviews. A newer company can be good with few reviews; read what customers say and how the owner replies.

Any work on a city-owned street tree in the right-of-way (removal, trimming, planting, stump grinding, treatments) needs a free street tree permit. The city's Unified Development Code protects landmark trees as natural features, and removing them during development reviewed by the city (site plans, PUD site plans, plats) needs approval and replacement trees. The pages we checked do not describe a permit for removing a single private tree outside a development project, so ask Forestry before removing a large tree. See our Ann Arbor tree permit page for sources. Short explanation, not legal advice.

Severe thunderstorms and straight-line winds are most common from about May to August. Ice storms can hit in winter and early spring. Have large trees near the house checked before the season starts.

Winter, when the ground is frozen and trees are dormant, is a popular time for pruning and removals. Oaks are usually not pruned in spring and early summer because of oak wilt, so ask an arborist about timing. Ask a certified arborist about your tree.

It depends on the tree size, how close it is to the house or lines, access for equipment, cleanup and stump work. We do not publish prices for tree work. Get two or three written quotes so you can compare.

We only name a company when its owner claims a free profile and agrees to show it. We do not rank companies, there is no pay-to-rank, and claimed profiles are shown in alphabetical order. To see every local company, search Google Maps and read their reviews.

Claim your free profile on our claim page. We confirm you run the business by phone or email before anything goes live, and you can ask us to change or remove it at any time.