Tree Removal in Cambridge, MA

Making the Right Choice for Your Trees & Property

Removing a mature tree in the Cambridge area is a significant decision that requires careful technical planning, especially within densely developed neighborhoods. The process is complicated by the need to protect surrounding structures and comply with the strict Cambridge Tree Protection Ordinance (TPO). Hiring a highly credentialed, professional arborist ensures the job is executed safely, legally, and without property damage.

Since 2007, we have been focused on tree preservation and the stewardship of the urban canopy in the Greater Boston Area. Our highly credentialed staff includes ISA Certified Arborists and Certified Tree Care Safety Professionals with 100’s of years of collective experience. We are dedicated to providing quality care in a safe, legal, and ethical manner.

Need professional Tree Removal in Cambridge? Contact Barrett Tree Service East immediately by calling us at (617) 344-9964 or reaching out online for a free estimate.

The Technical Challenge of Urban Tree Removal

Tree removal in a city like Cambridge is fundamentally different from removal in a rural setting due to confined spaces, proximity to high-value structures, and strict regulatory oversight. Large or hazardous trees often require sectional removal, meaning the tree is carefully dismantled piece by piece using specialized climbing, rigging, and lowering techniques to control every single piece of wood.

We focus on the technical aspects necessary for successful, damage-free removal:

• Hazardous Tree Assessment: An ISA Certified Arborist accurately identifies the structural weakness, decay, or disease that necessitates removal, ensuring the decision is based on informed tree biology.
• Advanced Rigging and Roping: When trees are near a home, garage, or utility line, our teams use complex pulley systems and ropes to carefully lower large pieces of wood to the ground, preventing them from free-falling and causing property damage.
• Crane and Equipment Use: For exceptionally large or dangerous trees, specialized equipment like cranes may be necessary to lift and move entire sections over homes or sensitive landscapes, minimizing ground impact and ensuring safety.
• Stump Management: After the tree is cut down, we address the remaining stump. We provide options for professional stump grinding to remove the visual and tripping hazard, allowing the area to be reused for new plantings or turf.
• Debris Management: All wood, chips, and brush are removed from the site. We ensure the process utilizes effective and environmentally friendly practices for managing and disposing of the large volume of debris generated.

This technical approach guarantees a safe outcome, even for the most complex removals in tight spaces.

Our Accredited Tree Removal Method

As a TCIA Accredited Tree Care Company, the Barrett Tree Service East approach to Tree Removal in Cambridge is anchored by professionalism and personal pride. We execute every step with high-level craftsmanship and efficiency, applying the collective experience of our employee-owned team to ensure the removal is completed safely and legally. We are committed to competence and ethical service.

Our team at Barrett Tree Service East ensures a systematic removal process:

• Detailed Risk Assessment: We first dispatch a Certified Arborist to assess the specific hazards of the tree, its proximity to property, and the required rigging techniques to ensure a controlled dismantling process.
• TPO Compliance and Permitting: We advise the client on the requirements of the Cambridge Tree Protection Ordinance for any protected tree removal (8 inches DBH or more) and assist in documenting the necessary hazard or diseased condition for the permit.
• Specialized Dismantling: Our Certified Tree Care Safety Professionals lead the removal, using advanced climbing or crane-assisted techniques to section and lower the tree safely, protecting all surrounding structures and plantings.
• Site Restoration: After the main trunk and limbs are removed, we provide professional stump grinding service to destroy the stump below grade. This is followed by a thorough cleanup of the entire work area.
• Final Inspection and Debris Removal: We ensure the entire area is free of debris, utilizing effective and environmentally friendly practices for wood and chip removal, and conduct a final review to ensure client satisfaction.

This dedication to safety and technical detail minimizes risk and guarantees a clean, efficient removal.

The Importance of Professional Tree Removal Service

Tree removal is arguably the most dangerous service in the landscaping industry, demanding highly specialized training that transcends general contracting skills. Using an uninsured or uncertified crew for the removal of a large tree, especially one near a home or utility lines, exposes the property owner to immense financial risk. If the tree falls incorrectly or causes damage, the homeowner may be fully liable for all repairs and injury costs.

A professional, fully licensed and insured company is essential because they possess the technical expertise to perform complex rigging and sectional dismantling. This skill prevents catastrophic loss by ensuring that heavy limbs are lowered under control, not dropped. Furthermore, a Certified Tree Care Safety Professional is on site to manage the work zone and eliminate risks associated with heights, power tools, and heavy debris.

In Cambridge, the necessity of a professional is magnified by the Tree Protection Ordinance (TPO). An accredited company ensures that all removal is legally compliant, handling the permit applications and required documentation accurately, preventing the property owner from facing significant fines or mandatory replacement fees for unpermitted removal.

Why Choose Us for Tree Removal in Cambridge

For Tree Removal in Cambridge, Barrett Tree Service East provides the highest level of competence and protection for your property. We are the region’s only locally-based, employee-owned, and TCIA TCIA-accredited tree Care Company, ensuring that your hazardous or dead tree is removed with precision, safety, and legal compliance. We are committed to quality service that reflects our deep collective experience.

• TCIA Accredited & Employee-Owned: We adhere to the industry's highest standards for safety, legality, and ethics, ensuring a trustworthy and accountable tree removal service.
• Certified Tree Care Safety Professionals: Our crews are trained and certified to execute high-risk removals using specialized rigging and safety protocols, protecting your home and property from damage.
• 100's of Years of Collective Experience: We apply our extensive, collective experience to accurately assess complex removals and determine the safest, most efficient method for dismantling the tree.
• Expert TPO Compliance: Our arborists guide you through the Cambridge Tree Protection Ordinance, ensuring all permits and legal requirements for protected tree removal are managed accurately.
• Fully Licensed and Insured: We provide complete protection for your property, backed by the necessary high levels of licensing, insurance, and bonding required for hazardous work in high-density areas.
• Focus on Environmental Practice: We utilize effective and environmentally friendly practices for managing and disposing of wood and debris after the removal process is complete.

Choose the informed experts to handle your most challenging tree removal needs in Cambridge.

FAQs About Tree Removal in Cambridge

Do I need a permit for tree removal in Cambridge?

Yes, a Private Tree Removal Permit is required from the City of Cambridge for removing any tree on private property that has a trunk diameter of 8 inches or more at 4.5 feet above the ground (DBH). Removing a protected tree without this permit can result in substantial fines.

What is the safest way to remove a large tree near a house?

The safest method is sectional removal, which involves an arborist carefully climbing the tree and cutting it down piece by piece. This technique uses complex rigging and controlled lowering of sections to ensure no part of the tree damages the house, garage, or surrounding landscape.

Should I remove the stump after the tree is cut down?

We strongly recommend professional stump grinding. Removing the stump eliminates a tripping hazard, prevents unsightly growth, and destroys the potential habitat for wood-boring pests and termites, allowing you to repurpose the area for landscaping or planting.

What happens to the wood and debris after removal?

As part of our standard service, our team fully removes all wood, limbs, and brush from the job site. We utilize effective and environmentally friendly practices for disposal, leaving the work area clean and restoring the site to its original condition.

Do you have more questions about Tree Removal in Cambridge? Call us at (617) 344-9964 or reach out online today.