✓ Verified Google reviews·✓ Reviewed regularly·✓ Updated June 5, 2026
Written by Mark Reid,
Home Services Editor ·Verified June 5, 2026
Saint Paul's tree canopy is one of its most recognizable features, and it creates real work for tree service companies year-round. The city's older neighborhoods, think Summit Hill, Crocus Hill, and the Cathedral Hill area, are packed with mature elms, oaks, silver maples, and cottonwoods that can reach 60 to 80 feet tall and spread well over the street and onto neighboring lots. Ash trees are another story entirely. Emerald ash borer damage has left thousands of dead or declining ash trees across Ramsey County, and removal backlogs in residential areas mean homeowners are often dealing with structurally compromised trees much longer than is ideal. Minnesota winters add another layer of complexity. Heavy ice and snow loading regularly causes limb failures, and spring windstorms can bring down branches onto roofs, power lines, and fences before crews can even respond. Knowing what you need, whether that's emergency storm response, a routine pruning cycle, stump grinding, or full removal of a hazard tree, helps you call the right company and get a realistic quote faster.
Every business on this page was drawn from third-party public business listings and ranked by public review rating and review count, with a small additional lift given to businesses that show a working website and a current phone number. That ranking order is the starting point, not the final word, because we also check each business's homepage to confirm that tree services work is genuinely what they primarily offer. That step keeps landscaping companies, lawn care outfits, and unrelated contractors off the page. Any listing flagged as permanently closed is removed automatically. Where you see a Trust Verified badge next to a business name, that company has gone further and passed our full verification process, which covers trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. You can see exactly what that process involves on our How We Verify page. For any business on this page that doesn't carry that badge, those additional checks have not been carried out by us, so that's something you'll want to do yourself before booking.
Before you hire anyone, ask for a written estimate that breaks out the specific work, not just a total number. A detailed quote should list the trees or stumps involved, the scope of each task (crown reduction versus full removal, for example), and whether debris hauling and cleanup are included. Stump grinding is often priced separately, so confirm that upfront. Ask whether the crew carries general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage, because tree work is one of the higher-risk trades, and an uninsured crew working on your property can leave you exposed if something goes wrong. It's also worth checking whether the company is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or employs a certified arborist, especially for work on high-value trees or anything near structures. Getting two or three quotes is normal and genuinely useful, since pricing for the same job can vary by hundreds of dollars depending on crew size, equipment, and disposal arrangements.
How We Select & Rate The Best Tree Services in Saint Paul, MN
Rankings on this page are driven by public review rating and review count pulled from third-party business listings, with a small upward lift for businesses that have a working website and a current phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm tree services is genuinely what they primarily offer, keeping unrelated trades off the page. Permanently closed listings are removed automatically. Businesses displaying a Trust Verified badge have additionally passed our full verification process, covering trade qualifications, insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. See our How We Verify page for the complete list of checks. All other businesses on this page have not been independently verified by us, and inclusion is not an endorsement. Always carry out your own checks before hiring.
Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. Every other listing is ranked on rating and review count from third-party business listings. How we rank & verify →
Quick Comparison — Tree Services in Saint Paul, MN
Rated 4.9 out of 5 across 33 Google reviews, Midwest Tree Removal operates out of Saint Paul's 55106 area, serving residential and commercial clients with tree removal and related care. The rating reflects consistent work across a range of property types and conditions. Neighbors looking for reliable local coverage will find the review record a useful starting point.
Tree removal and stump grinding services cover Saint Paul and the surrounding area through VK Tree & Stump Service LLC, a locally operated company holding a 4.8-star Google rating across 26 reviews. The company focuses on residential and commercial tree work, handling jobs from single-tree removals to full stump clearing. Straightforward service and consistent results account for its strong standing among neighbors in the 55116 area.
Residential and commercial property owners in Saint Paul turn to St Paul Tree Care for tree removal, trimming, and general canopy maintenance. Serving the 55102 area and surrounding neighborhoods, the company holds a 4.4-star Google rating across 30 reviews. A locally focused operation, it addresses the specific tree health and clearance needs common to older urban properties in the region.
Tree Removal Today of St Paul handles tree removal and related services for residential and commercial properties in Saint Paul. With a 5-star rating across 12 Google reviews, the company has built a consistent record among local property owners. Its work covers the 55103 area and surrounding neighborhoods, focusing on safe, efficient removal rather than a broad menu of add-on services.
Rated 5 stars across 12 Google reviews, Minnesota Tree Pros operates out of the 55106 area of Saint Paul, serving residential and commercial clients with tree removal, trimming, and related care. The consistent rating from a growing base of reviewers points to reliable results on the ground. Neighbors in the east metro rely on them for work that keeps properties safe and well-maintained.
Specializing in tree removal, trimming, and stump grinding, Tree Care Service MN operates out of Saint Paul with a 4.9-star rating across recent reviews. The company focuses on residential and surrounding neighborhood properties, handling jobs that range from routine canopy maintenance to full takedowns. A consistently high rating from local clients reflects reliable, straightforward work.
Rooted in tree health management rather than simple removal, Premium Tree Protection, LLC serves Saint Paul homeowners with care focused on preservation and long-term canopy health. The company holds a 4.6 rating across customer reviews, reflecting consistent work in the field. Services center on protecting urban trees from disease, structural risk, and seasonal stress.
Morgan's Tree Service operates out of Saint Paul, covering residential and commercial tree care in the 55106 area. With a 4.9-star rating across customer reviews, the company has built a consistent reputation for reliable work. Services follow what the trade typically covers, including removal, trimming, and general tree maintenance for properties across the city.
Rated 4.4 stars across its customer reviews, Visions Tree Services operates out of Saint Paul's 55106 area, handling residential and commercial tree care for local property owners. The company covers the range of typical tree service work, from pruning and trimming to removal. Its consistent rating points to reliable results in a field where safety and clean execution matter most.
Tree services in Saint Paul, A-1 Walsh Inc. covers residential and commercial properties in the 55117 area and surrounding neighborhoods. The company handles tree removal, trimming, and related yard work for homeowners and property managers across the east side of the city. No rating was provided, but the business has maintained a local presence long enough to establish a dedicated service footprint.
Tree services in Saint Paul, WD/LND handles the kind of work that keeps residential and commercial properties clear and structurally sound. The company covers tree removal, trimming, and related land clearing work across the area. Its website outlines the scope of projects it takes on, making it a practical first stop for property owners assessing larger-scale tree work.
Stump grinding and removal are among the core offerings at A-1 Walsh, a tree services company operating in Saint Paul, 55117. The company holds a 4.2-star Google rating across its reviewed work. Residents in the area can contact them directly through a1walsh.com for service inquiries.
Transparency notice: Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. All other listings are ranked by a combined score drawn from ratings and review counts published on third-party business listings, plus basic completeness signals such as a working website and phone. A Trust Verified badge means we have independently checked that business's documents; businesses without it have not been independently verified by us. How we verify →
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Costs vary quite a bit depending on what you're having done. A basic trim or crown cleaning on a small ornamental tree might run $150 to $350. Pruning a large mature oak or silver maple, the kind common in Summit Hill or Merriam Park, often lands between $400 and $900. Full tree removal is where prices really spread out. A smaller tree under 30 feet might be $300 to $600, while a 60- to 80-foot cottonwood or elm close to a house or utility lines can cost $1,200 to $2,500 or more because of the extra rigging and care involved. Stump grinding is usually priced separately at $100 to $400 depending on stump diameter. Emergency storm work carries a premium, sometimes 25 to 50 percent above standard rates, because it requires rapid mobilization. Getting two or three quotes from different companies is the norm and often reveals meaningful price differences for the same scope of work.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my property in Saint Paul?
Saint Paul does have tree-related regulations, and whether you need a permit depends on a few things. Trees in the public right-of-way, the boulevard strip between the sidewalk and the street, are city-owned and require permits and often city involvement before any work begins. For trees on private property, the city's rules are more focused on disease management, particularly ash trees affected by emerald ash borer, which may fall under mandatory removal orders in certain situations. Before starting any significant removal, it's worth calling the City of Saint Paul's Parks and Recreation or the Urban Forestry division to confirm what applies to your specific situation. Your tree service contractor will often know these rules well, but confirming directly with the city is always the safer move.
How do I know if a tree on my Saint Paul property is actually hazardous?
Some warning signs are obvious, like large dead limbs hanging over the roof or a trunk that's leaning noticeably more than it used to. Others are less visible. Cracks in the main trunk or major limbs, significant decay or hollow sections at the base, fungal growth like shelf mushrooms at the root flare, and a large canopy of dead branches (sometimes called a 'widow maker') are all serious flags. Ash trees with more than 50 percent canopy loss due to emerald ash borer are generally considered too far gone to save and should be removed before they become brittle and unpredictable. If you're not sure, an ISA-certified arborist can assess the tree and give you a written opinion, which is also useful if you're filing an insurance claim related to storm damage or tree failure.
What's the difference between tree trimming and tree pruning in Saint Paul?
People use the terms interchangeably, but there's a practical difference. Trimming is mostly about appearance and controlling size, cutting back branches that are overhanging the house, rubbing on the roof, or crowding power lines. Pruning is more targeted and health-focused. It involves removing dead, diseased, or crossing branches to improve structure, reduce wind resistance, or encourage better growth. For large, mature trees common in Saint Paul's older neighborhoods, proper structural pruning can extend the life of the tree significantly and reduce storm damage risk. A company that only offers 'topping,' cutting the main leaders down to stubs, is worth avoiding. Topping is widely criticized by arborists because it creates weak, fast-growing regrowth and exposes large wound surfaces to decay.
What should I ask a tree service company before they start work?
Start with insurance. Ask specifically for proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation. Tree work is physically dangerous, and you want to confirm the crew is covered before anyone climbs. Ask whether they have an ISA-certified arborist on staff or available for consultation, especially if the job is complex. Get the quote in writing with a clear breakdown of what's included: specific trees, the exact work being done on each one, stump grinding if applicable, and debris removal and cleanup. Clarify how they plan to access your property and whether anything like fencing, landscaping, or irrigation lines could be affected. Ask about disposal too. Some companies haul everything away, others chip debris and leave the mulch on site, and some charge extra for hauling. Knowing that upfront prevents surprises.
How do I choose between tree service companies in Saint Paul?
Start by reading recent reviews on public listing sites and look for patterns, not just the overall star rating. Consistent comments about punctuality, cleanup quality, and accurate quotes tell you more than a single five-star review. Check that the company carries liability insurance and workers' compensation, and ask to see the certificates directly rather than just taking their word for it. Look for ISA certification or membership if the work involves valuable trees or anything near structures. Compare written quotes carefully and make sure each one covers the same scope, it's easy to think one company is cheaper when they've simply left out stump grinding or debris hauling. If a business carries a Trust Verified badge on this page, the additional checks on qualifications, insurance, and trading history have already been completed. For everyone else, those are checks you'll need to run yourself before signing anything.
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