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 We Do
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. Every job includes complete debris removal, branch chipping, and site cleanup. Call (978) 375-2272 for a free on-site estimate anywhere in our 18-town service area.
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.
Tree removal costs depend on the tree — size, species, location, and what's around it. A small ornamental tree in an open yard is a few hundred dollars. A massive hardwood next to your house with power lines overhead is a bigger job with a bigger number.
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 Us
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”
FAQ
How much does tree removal cost?
Small trees (under 30 feet) typically run $300-$500. Medium trees (30-60 feet) are $500-$1,000. Large trees (60+ feet) start at $1,000 and can go up to $3,000+ depending on access, species, and proximity to structures. We give free estimates — no surprises.
How long does tree removal take?
Most single-tree removals take half a day to a full day. Bigger trees, tight access, or crane jobs can take longer. We'll give you a time estimate upfront so you can plan your day.
Do you offer emergency tree removal?
Yes — 24/7, 365 days a year. Storm damage, fallen trees on houses or cars, hazardous trees threatening structures. Call (978) 375-2272 anytime. We're typically on-site within the hour for emergencies in our service area.
What happens to the wood after tree removal?
We chip all branches and haul everything away. If you want the firewood, we'll cut it to length and stack it for you. Otherwise, we take it all — your yard will be clean when we leave.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my own property in Massachusetts?
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 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. We pull the permits that are ours to pull and we'll tell you when one applies. Verify with your town before any crew starts cutting — don't take a crew's word that "you don't need one."
Will my homeowner's insurance cover tree removal?
Most policies cover emergency removal when a tree hits a structure — house, garage, fence — or when a tree falls and blocks access. Routine removal of a healthy or merely inconvenient tree is usually not covered. We give you itemized written invoices and a certificate of insurance for your carrier; the claim is between you and your adjuster, but our paperwork makes their job easy.
What if the tree is on the property line?
In Massachusetts, a tree whose trunk straddles the property line is jointly owned. Neither owner can remove it without the other's consent, and either owner can prune branches that cross onto their side up to the line — without crossing it. We'll talk you through the conversation with your neighbour before we touch a property-line tree. If it's a town tree in the public right-of-way, that's a different process entirely — town highway or DPW gets involved, not you.
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