Top 5 Arborist and Tree Removal Companies in Decatur, IL
Hiring the wrong crew to take down a tree can cost you a roof, a fence, or a lawsuit. If you are searching for arborist and tree removal help in Decatur, IL, you probably have a tree that is leaning, dying, or already on the ground, and you want a name you can trust today.
Here is the short answer. The best companies in Decatur are licensed and insured , give written free estimates, and have reviews that mention cleanup and property protection, not just price. A certified arborist on staff is a strong plus for diagnosing disease or deciding whether a tree can be saved instead of cut down.
Below, you will find five providers worth comparing, with what each one offers, how they handle emergencies, and what to ask before you book. We are Alexa's Tree Service, a Pacific Northwest company with 15+ years of experience, so we know what separates a reliable tree crew from a risky one. Use this list as a checklist, then call two or three companies for quotes.
1. Sky's The Limit Tree Service
Sky's The Limit Tree Service leads our list as a Decatur-based, full-service option for homeowners. We have not worked with them ourselves, so treat this as a starting point for your research and verify every detail directly before you book.
What they offer
Plan on the core jobs most Decatur yards need: tree removal, trimming, and stump grinding . Ask which services they handle with their own crew, since in-house work usually means better control over cleanup and scheduling. Confirm each of these before you commit:
- Removal of dead, leaning, or diseased trees
- Trimming and pruning for clearance and tree health
- Stump grinding after a removal
- Debris hauling and site cleanup
Emergency and storm response
Storm season in central Illinois can put limbs through a roof or block a driveway in one afternoon. Call and ask whether they take after-hours calls and how fast they can secure a damaged property . A tarped roof and a cleared driveway first, with full cleanup later, is a sensible after-storm plan.
Also ask if they will work with your insurance adjuster. Photos and a written invoice make a claim much easier to settle.
Who they're best for
Homeowners with a mix of needs fit best here, such as a dead oak out back plus overgrown maples by the garage. Hiring one crew for removal and pruning saves you from coordinating two vendors.
If you want arborist and tree removal advice in the same visit, ask whether a certified arborist will assess the tree. That matters when you are unsure whether a tree needs to come down at all.
What to ask before hiring
Before you sign anything, get a written estimate and proof of insurance . Then run through these questions:
- Are you licensed and insured, and can I see the certificate?
- Does the quote include cleanup and stump grinding?
- Who will be on the crew, and is a certified arborist involved?
- How will you protect my lawn, roof, and fence?
Ask for the insurance certificate before the saw starts, not after something breaks.
2. A1 Tree Care
A1 Tree Care is another Decatur name worth a phone call, mainly because it gives you a second quote to compare . As with the first company, we have not worked with them, so confirm every detail directly before you book.
What they offer
Expect the standard mix of removal, trimming, and stump work . Ask whether they also handle cabling or bracing, since that can keep a weak but healthy tree standing. Confirm these items:
- Removal of hazard and unwanted trees
- Pruning for clearance and shape
- Stump grinding and debris hauling
Emergency and storm response
Fallen limbs do not wait for business hours. Ask if A1 offers 24/7 emergency service and what their typical response time is after a big wind event.
Every crew gets slammed after a storm, so request an arrival window instead of a vague promise.
Who they're best for
Homeowners who like to compare bids will get the most from A1. If you are weighing arborist and tree removal options for one big job, a second quote shows whether the price and scope from the first company are fair.
They may also suit smaller jobs, such as a single overgrown tree, where a quick call can settle things.
What to ask before hiring
Line up your questions before you call, and compare the answers side by side:
- Is the estimate written and itemized?
- Does the price include cleanup and hauling?
- Can you send proof of liability and workers' comp coverage?
- Will a certified arborist look at the tree?
A low bid that leaves out cleanup is not really a low bid.
3. Our Artistree
Our Artistree comes next, and the name hints at a pruning and tree-health focus . We have not worked with them, so confirm what they offer directly before you book.
What they offer
Ask about ornamental pruning, removal, and stump grinding . A crew that cares about tree shape usually makes cleaner cuts. Confirm these:
- Structural and ornamental pruning
- Removal of hazardous trees
- Stump grinding and cleanup
Emergency and storm response
Storms do not check your calendar. Ask whether they offer emergency callouts and how they prioritize urgent jobs , since a tree on a house should come before a tree in a backyard.
Get any storm quote in writing, even a rough one, so the final bill holds no surprises.
Who they're best for
Homeowners with mature or ornamental trees should look here first. You care about how the tree looks afterward , not just whether it is gone.
If your arborist and tree removal needs include saving a valuable tree, ask about health assessments and cabling before anyone mentions a chainsaw.
What to ask before hiring
Before you agree to anything, ask for proof of insurance and an itemized estimate . Then add these:
- Who does the pruning, and what training do they have?
- Will you assess whether the tree can be saved?
- Is cleanup included in the price?
A good pruning crew tells you what not to cut.
4. Romer Bros Tree & Shrub Service
Romer Bros Tree & Shrub Service stands out by name for shrub care alongside tree work . We have not worked with them, so verify every detail directly before you book.
What they offer
Ask about tree removal, trimming, and shrub service , since the name suggests the crew handles smaller plantings too. Confirm these:
- Tree removal and trimming
- Shrub shaping, pruning, and removal
- Stump grinding and debris cleanup
Emergency and storm response
Call and ask whether they answer emergency calls after a storm and how they triage urgent jobs . A limb resting on a roofline should jump ahead of a fallen fence branch.
Then get an arrival window and a written storm quote before anyone starts cutting.
Who they're best for
Yards with both trees and overgrown shrubs suit this crew. Foundation plantings, hedges, and a couple of large trees can go on one estimate with one crew .
If your arborist and tree removal needs are simple, ask who will lead the job. Direct contact with the person running the saw keeps the scope clear.
What to ask before hiring
Get proof of insurance and an itemized written estimate , then ask:
- Does the price cover shrub debris and hauling?
- Will a certified arborist assess the tree?
- How will you protect my lawn and driveway?
Ask who leads the job, not just who answers the phone.
5. Lakeside Tree Service
Lakeside Tree Service closes out our list, and the name suggests familiarity with lake and shoreline lots . We have not worked with them, so verify every detail directly before you book.
What they offer
Ask about removal, trimming, and stump grinding , plus any work on slopes or tight access lots , where equipment and drainage change the job. Confirm these:
- Tree removal, including hard-to-reach trees
- Trimming and deadwood pruning
- Stump grinding and debris hauling
Emergency and storm response
Saturated soil and high wind bring trees down fast. Ask whether Lakeside takes after-hours calls and how quickly they can make a property safe when a tree lands on a roof or a power line.
Request an arrival window and a written storm quote. Keep photos of the damage for your insurer.
Who they're best for
Owners of larger or uneven lots should call here, especially if trees sit near a pond, slope, or fence line. You want a crew that plans the drop zone and rigging before the first cut.
If you need arborist and tree removal help from a smaller local outfit, ask whether a certified arborist will look at the tree first.
What to ask before hiring
Finish with the basics: proof of insurance and an itemized written estimate . Then ask:
- Does the price include cleanup and stump grinding?
- How will you protect my lawn, septic area, and driveway?
- Who runs the job on the day?
A good estimate names the job, the price, and the cleanup.
6. How to choose a Decatur tree company
Five names do not make a decision, so run every company through the same screen. When you compare arborist and tree removal providers, credentials and clarity matter more than the lowest number on the page, and most red flags show up during the first phone call.
Check credentials first
Start with proof, not promises. Ask for a certificate of insurance sent straight from the insurer, and ask whether a certified arborist will assess the tree before anyone cuts. Then read recent Google reviews for patterns, such as clean job sites or missed appointments.
A crew that will not show proof of insurance has already answered your question.
Compare quotes side by side
Get two or three written estimates and line them up against the same scope. A cheap bid turns expensive when the details differ.
| Line item | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Removal scope | Whole tree, or only branches |
| Stump | Grinding included or extra |
| Cleanup | Hauling, raking, and chips |
| Property protection | Rigging, mats, lawn care |
| Storm rates | Flat fee or hourly after hours |
Finally, trust how they communicate. A company that returns calls, explains the plan, and puts it in writing will usually run a tidy job site and honor the price it quoted.
Picking the right crew for your trees
The right choice comes down to proof and clarity. Whichever Decatur company you call, verify insurance and get a written, itemized estimate before any work starts. Ask whether a certified arborist will assess the tree, compare two or three bids on the same scope, and notice how each crew communicates. For arborist and tree removal work, that simple screen protects your property better than a low price does.
If you live in the Pacific Northwest instead, we can help. Since 2006, Alexa's Tree Service has handled removal, trimming, stump grinding, and 24/7 storm cleanup across Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR . Our crews are licensed and insured, and we have 180+ five-star Google reviews. Ready to get started? Request a free on-site estimate from Alexa's Tree Service and we will tell you plainly what your trees need.
