Tree Removal
in Massachusetts
Professional tree removal for hazardous, dead, storm-damaged, and unwanted trees. Serving 18 towns across Middlesex County — from Billerica to Lexington, Lowell to Woburn.
What Does Tree Removal Include?
Tree removal is the complete extraction of a tree — trunk, major limbs, and visible root flare — from a property. In Massachusetts, professional tree removal typically costs $300–$3,000+ depending on height, species, access, and proximity to structures. At McDonald Tree Service, we have performed tree removals across Middlesex County since 1995. Our crew handles everything from 25-foot ornamental trees in open yards to 80-foot hardwoods wedged between houses and power lines requiring crane-assisted removal. All work follows ANSI Z133 safety standards and OSHA tree care regulations (29 CFR 1910.269). We are fully licensed and insured in Massachusetts with workers' compensation coverage — no subcontractors, ever. Every job includes complete debris removal, branch chipping, and site cleanup. We serve 18 towns from Billerica to Lexington, Lowell to Woburn. Call (978) 375-2272 for a free on-site estimate.
We've been cutting down trees across Middlesex County for over 30 years. Not because we hate trees — we actually like them. But when a white oak is leaning 15 degrees toward your bedroom, or a dead maple is one nor'easter away from landing on your neighbor's garage, somebody's got to take care of it. That's us.
Keith McDonald founded McDonald Tree Service in Billerica in 1995. Thirty years later he's still climbing trees, still answering the phone himself, and still based at 8 Sycamore Ln. The crew has grown, the trucks have multiplied, but the model hasn't changed: owner-operator, on every job.
McDonald Tree Service handles tree removal from Billerica to Lexington, Lowell to Woburn, and every town in between. We're not a franchise. We're not a guy with a pickup truck and a chainsaw he bought at Home Depot. We're a family operation with professional equipment, decades of experience, and insurance that actually covers what we do.
Every tree is different. A 30-foot birch in an open yard is a half-day job. An 80-foot oak wedged between a house and a power line takes a crane, a plan, and a crew that's done it a thousand times. We've handled both — and everything in between — across all 18 towns in our service area.
We do hazardous tree removal, storm damage cleanup, dead tree removal, lot clearing, and 24/7 emergency response. All work follows ANSI Z133 safety standards and OSHA tree care regulations. If a tree needs to come down in Middlesex County, we're the ones people call. And we answer the phone — day or night.
Tree Removal
Service Areas
We provide professional tree removal in every town listed below. Click your town to see local details, pricing, and project examples specific to your area.
Common Tree Removal
Projects
Hazardous tree removal near homes and power lines
Storm-damaged tree removal and cleanup
Dead and dying tree removal
Large oak, maple, and pine removal
Tight-space removals between buildings
Crane-assisted removal for difficult access
What It
Costs
$300 - $3,000+ — typical range for tree removal in our service area.
How much does tree removal cost in Massachusetts? Most homeowners pay between $300 and $3,000 for professional tree removal, with the national average around $1,200. In Middlesex County, prices run slightly higher than the national average due to dense housing, older properties with tight access, and Massachusetts licensing requirements. A small ornamental tree under 30 feet in an open yard costs $300–$500. Medium trees between 30 and 60 feet — typical maples and ashes — run $800–$1,500. Large hardwoods over 60 feet, especially oaks and elms near structures or power lines, cost $1,500–$3,000+. Crane-assisted removals add $500–$1,500 depending on crane size and duration. At McDonald Tree Service, we provide free on-site estimates across all 18 towns we serve in Middlesex County. Our pricing includes complete debris removal, branch chipping, and site cleanup — no surprise add-ons. Call (978) 375-2272 for a free estimate.
Here's what affects the price: Height is the biggest factor. A 30-foot tree costs less than a 70-foot tree. Access matters — can we get equipment close, or are we carrying everything through a narrow side yard? Hardwoods like oak and maple are heavier and take longer to process than softwoods. And proximity to structures or utilities adds complexity that takes more time and planning.
We give free, on-site estimates across all our service towns in Middlesex County. We show up, look at the tree, and give you a number. That number doesn't change on invoice day. No bait-and-switch, no surprise add-ons. That's how we've kept customers coming back for three decades.
One rule that applies to every tree service in Massachusetts, including us: don't hire anyone without a written quote before the chainsaw starts. Verbal estimates that become "well, it turned out to be more complicated" are how this industry gets its reputation. Walk away from the verbal-only quote. Even if it's ours.
How It
Works
01
Call Us
Call (978) 375-2272 and tell us what you need. We’ll ask a few questions and schedule a time to come look at it. No phone tag, no automated menus — a real person answers.
02
Free Estimate
We come to your property anywhere in our Middlesex County service area, look at the job, and give you an honest price on the spot. No pressure, no follow-up sales calls. Just a number.
03
We Do the Work
We show up on time, do the job right, and clean up when we’re done. Your property looks better when we leave than when we arrived. That’s the standard.
Why Choose McDonald Tree Service?
30+
Years in Business
18
Towns We Serve
24/7
Emergency Response
Family-owned and operated out of Billerica since 1995 — not a franchise, not a side hustle
Fully licensed and insured for tree work in Massachusetts with workers’ compensation coverage
Professional equipment including bucket trucks, cranes, and commercial stump grinders
Decades of experience with every tree species common to Middlesex County — oak, maple, pine, ash, birch, and more
Free, honest estimates with no pressure — we’ll tell you what the tree actually needs, even if the answer is “nothing right now”
Why choose McDonald Tree Service for tree removal in Middlesex County? We have been safely removing trees across Massachusetts since 1995 — over 30 years of hands-on experience with every species common to New England, from white oaks and sugar maples to white pines and red maples. Our crew handles hazardous tree removal, storm damage cleanup, dead tree removal, and crane-assisted removals for trees near structures and power lines. Every job follows ANSI Z133 safety standards and OSHA tree care regulations. We are fully licensed and insured in Massachusetts with workers' compensation coverage — no subcontractors, ever. Keith McDonald personally oversees every job from our base at 8 Sycamore Ln in Billerica. We serve 18 towns across Middlesex County including Lowell, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Burlington, Lexington, and Woburn. Every removal includes complete debris removal, branch chipping, and site cleanup. Call (978) 375-2272 for a free on-site estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Removal
How much does tree removal cost in Massachusetts?
Tree removal in Massachusetts costs $300 to $500 for small trees under 30 feet, $500 to $1,000 for medium trees between 30 and 60 feet, and $1,000 to $3,000 or more for large trees over 60 feet. The biggest cost factors are tree height, trunk diameter, proximity to structures like houses and power lines, and equipment access — a tree in an open backyard costs less than the same tree squeezed between two buildings. McDonald Tree Service has been removing trees across Middlesex County since 1995. We provide free on-site estimates with no pressure and no surprise charges. Keith McDonald personally evaluates every job. Call (978) 375-2272 to schedule your free estimate.
How long does tree removal take?
Most single-tree removals take half a day to a full day depending on tree size, location, and complexity. A 40-foot maple in an open Billerica backyard might take three hours from setup to cleanup. A 70-foot oak next to a house in Lowell with power lines overhead could take a full day with crane assistance. Tight access jobs — narrow driveways, fenced backyards, steep slopes — take longer because we need to rig each section carefully. McDonald Tree Service gives you a time estimate upfront so you can plan your day. We clean up everything when we're done — chips hauled, firewood stacked or removed, lawn raked. Call (978) 375-2272 for a free estimate.
Do you offer emergency tree removal?
Yes — McDonald Tree Service offers 24/7 emergency tree removal, 365 days a year across our 18-town Middlesex County service area. Storm damage, fallen trees on houses or cars, hazardous trees threatening structures, blocked roads — we respond to all of it. We're typically on-site within one hour for emergencies in Billerica, Chelmsford, Lowell, Tewksbury, Burlington, Bedford, Wilmington, Dracut, Westford, Carlisle, Andover, Woburn, Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Winchester, Acton, and Waltham. Keith McDonald started the company in 1995 and still answers the emergency line himself. We carry full liability insurance and workers' compensation. Call (978) 375-2272 anytime — day or night, weekday or holiday.
What happens to the wood after tree removal?
After tree removal, McDonald Tree Service chips all branches and hauls everything away — your yard will be clean when we leave. If you want the firewood, we'll cut it to fireplace length and stack it for you at no extra charge. Otherwise, we take everything: branches get chipped on-site with our commercial chipper, the trunk gets loaded onto our truck, and sawdust gets cleaned up. We don't leave piles of debris or scuff marks on your lawn. The only proof we were there is the missing tree. We've been doing clean tree removals across Middlesex County since 1995. Call (978) 375-2272 for a free estimate.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my own property in Massachusetts?
It depends on the town and the tree. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87 — the Shade Tree Act — covers street trees and trees in the public right-of-way. Those need town approval, not yours. On your own property, most Middlesex County towns don't require a permit for routine removal, but several have local bylaws for trees above a certain diameter, scenic-road trees, or anything within the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone. Billerica, Chelmsford, Lowell, and Tewksbury each have slightly different rules. McDonald Tree Service pulls the permits that are ours to pull and tells you when one applies. We recommend verifying with your town's tree warden or conservation commission before any crew starts cutting.
Will my homeowner's insurance cover tree removal?
Most homeowner's insurance policies in Massachusetts cover emergency tree removal when a tree hits a structure — house, garage, fence, shed — or when a fallen tree blocks your driveway or access. Routine removal of a healthy tree, a tree that's merely leaning, or a tree you just want gone is usually not covered. McDonald Tree Service provides itemized written invoices and a certificate of insurance for your carrier. The claim process is between you and your adjuster, but our detailed paperwork makes their job easy. We've helped hundreds of Middlesex County homeowners document storm damage for insurance claims since 1995. Call (978) 375-2272 for emergency response or a free estimate.
What if the tree is on the property line?
In Massachusetts, a tree whose trunk straddles the property line is jointly owned by both property owners. Neither owner can remove it without the other's written consent. Either owner can prune branches that cross onto their side — but only up to the property line, not across it. If you damage the tree while pruning on your side, you could be liable. McDonald Tree Service has handled dozens of property-line tree situations across Billerica, Chelmsford, and Lowell. We'll walk you through the conversation with your neighbor before we touch anything. If it's a town tree in the public right-of-way, that's a different process — the town highway or DPW gets involved, not you. Call (978) 375-2272 for a free assessment.
Ready to get
it done?
Call us for a free estimate on tree removal anywhere in our Middlesex County service area. We answer the phone, show up on time, and clean up when we leave.
24/7 Emergency Available