#1 Tree Removal & Trimming Service Provider
in Atlanta
Atlanta Elite Tree Service | Expert Tree Removal, Trimming & Stump Grinding in Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Elite Tree Service provides tree removal, tree trimming, pruning, stump grinding, and emergency storm cleanup for residential and commercial properties throughout metro Atlanta. We handle everything from routine canopy maintenance to hazardous removals near homes, power lines, and structures.
We service homes and businesses across Fulton, Dekalb, Cobb and Gwinnett counties. With one of the most dense tree canopies of any major US city, many homeowners face tree complications at some point. Storm damage, roots, overgrown limbs, pests and other issues.
Our crews work with an understanding of local species like water oaks, loblolly pines, and sweetgums, along with the red clay soil and weather conditions that affect them.
We proudly serve Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Marietta, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Smyrna, Decatur, Tucker, & more.
✔ Licensed & Insured
✔ Same-Day Service Available
✔ 5-Star Rated Locally
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Why Choose Atlanta Elite Tree Service?
Certified Arborist Oversight
Our crews work under ISA Certified Arborist oversight, and every removal starts with an arborist assessment of the tree's health, lean, root condition, and proximity to structures, not just the complex jobs.
Licensed & Insured
We carry full general liability and workers' compensation coverage, and we send certificates of insurance to you or your HOA on request before the crew arrives.
Serving All of Metro Atlanta
Our crews work across Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton counties, from Grant Park bungalow lots to wooded properties in Sandy Springs, Roswell, and Marietta.
Free Written Estimates
Every estimate is free, with no obligation and no upsell pressure. You get line-item pricing for removal, stump grinding, and debris hauling before anything is scheduled.
24/7 Storm Response
We respond to storm damage across metro Atlanta seven days a week, with same-day emergency response for trees on houses, vehicles, driveways, and hanging limbs.
Rigging & Crane Access
Rigging, bucket trucks, and crane-assisted removal let us lower trees near roofs, fences, and power lines in controlled sections, then leave the site raked and cleared.
Tree Care and Removal Services
Tree Removal
We remove trees that are dead, structurally compromised, growing too close to foundations, or in the way of new construction. Atlanta's mature canopy means many removals involve tall pines, oaks, and poplars within a few feet of a roof or fence line.
In those situations we use rigging, bucket trucks, and crane-assisted removal to lower sections in a controlled way. A standard removal includes the complete takedown, removal of all wood and brush, and raking of the work area.
Height, trunk diameter, access and other factors can determine pricing. We will also confirm permitting with the City of Atlanta if needed.
Tree Trimming & Pruning
Trees trimmed and maintained prevent major issues from growth and storms.
We follow ANSI A300 standards and make cuts at the branch collar so wounds compartmentalize properly. We never top trees, because topping damages them and creates weak regrowth.
We clear roofs and gutters, thin canopies to let light reach a lawn, structurally prune young trees, and raise the lower canopy over driveways and sidewalks.
Hardwoods like oaks and maples respond best to dormant-season pruning, while dogwoods and cherries are better pruned shortly after they bloom.
Stump Grinding
Stump removal is the only way to prevent pests, sprouts, and obstacles caused by leftover stumps.
We grind stumps 6 to 12 inches below grade, and grinding a stump early helps prevent:
- Termite and carpenter ant infestations
- Sucker sprouts around the old root zone
- Mower damage and trip hazards
Compact grinders fit through a 36-inch gate, and we mark underground utilities and irrigation lines before we start.
Emergency Tree Service
Trees fail on their own schedule, and Georgia's combination of saturated red clay and steady wind makes it a regular occurrence across metro Atlanta.
We respond to trees on houses, vehicles, and driveways, as well as limbs hanging over occupied areas. Crews show up with appropriate gear and tools in order to be most efficient with the customer's time.
Before we arrive, take these steps:
- Keep everyone away from the tree and any downed lines
- Report any contact with power lines to Georgia Power immediately and do not approach
- Photograph the damage for your insurance claim
- Avoid moving debris that is supporting weight
We provide written documentation of the work performed, which insurance adjusters typically require for storm damage claims.
Storm Clean Up
Debris, limbs, downed trees and clean up are sometimes required after Atlanta's storms.
Our storm cleanup covers sectioning and hauling fallen trees, removing hangers lodged in the canopy, clearing brush from lawns and beds, and chipping material on site. We can also grind the resulting stumps as part of the same job.
We inspect trees still standing nearby. Root plates that have lifted, fresh cracks at branch unions, and sudden lean are all signs a tree may fail next, and it's better to address them before the following storm.
For neighborhoods and HOAs, we coordinate multi-property cleanups to keep equipment mobilization efficient.
Utility Line Tree Trimming
Branches growing into service drops cause outages, arcing, and fire risk.
We trim around the service line running from the pole to your home, the segment that is generally the property owner's responsibility. Work is performed with insulated tools and appropriate clearance distances maintained throughout.
High-voltage primary distribution lines are handled by Georgia Power or the EMC serving your area, and we'll tell you directly when a situation falls under their jurisdiction rather than attempting it ourselves.
When we trim near lines, we use directional pruning to guide future growth away from the conductors, which extends the interval before the next trim is needed.
Crown Reduction
Crown reduction lowers the overall height or spread of a tree while keeping its natural form intact.
We use reduction cuts that shorten limbs back to a lateral branch at least one-third the diameter of the limb being removed. That lateral takes over as the new terminal, so the tree keeps a defensible structure and healthy growth pattern.
This service suits trees that have outgrown their location, developed a heavy end-weighted canopy, or need clearance from a structure or power line.
We limit live crown removal to roughly 25 percent in a single season on mature trees. Removing more stresses the tree and often triggers a flush of weakly attached water sprouts.
Limb Removal
Limb removal can be an option for an otherwise healthy tree that may be growing in an undesirable way.
On large limbs we use a three-cut method, an undercut, a relief cut, then a final cut at the branch collar, to prevent bark from tearing down the trunk.
Limbs over structures are rigged and lowered rather than dropped, which protects shingles, gutters, HVAC units, and fencing.
Georgia law allows you to prune branches from a neighbor's tree that cross your property line, provided the work doesn't damage the tree's health. Limbs we are most often called to remove include:
- Branches overhanging roofs and gutters
- Limbs rubbing against siding
- Branches blocking driveway sightlines
- Limbs cracked at the attachment point
Tree Cabling & Bracing
Cabling and bracing provide supplemental support to trees with structural weaknesses that are otherwise worth keeping.
The most common candidate in Atlanta is a large hardwood with a codominant stem and included bark, two trunks of similar size joined by a weak, bark-filled union that tends to split.
We install steel cable in the upper canopy, roughly two-thirds up from the union, to limit movement between leaders, and a threaded rod brace directly through or just above the weak union to resist it splitting apart.
Systems installed by us are placed on a reinspection schedule to ensure proper functioning and prevent further issues with the tree.
Deadwooding
Deadwood removal takes dead, dying, and broken branches out of the canopy.
Dead limbs lose their attachment strength over time and fall without warning, which makes them a genuine hazard over patios, play areas, walkways, and parking. Removing them also reduces habitat for wood-boring insects and decay fungi.
Because we take only nonliving material, deadwooding can be done at any time of year without stressing the tree. It's a common service on older water oaks and willow oaks, which shed interior branches as the canopy shades itself out.
We can deadwood on its own or fold it into a broader pruning visit.
Arborist Consultation
A tree health inspection tells you whether a tree is safe, treatable, or better removed.
Our assessments look at trunk and root flare condition, decay indicators, lean and root plate stability, branch attachment quality, and canopy density. Issues we see regularly in the metro area include:
- Hypoxylon canker on stressed oaks
- Southern pine beetle activity
- Root damage from construction and grading
- Soil compaction in older neighborhoods
- Conks and cavities signaling internal decay
You receive a written report with findings and recommended actions.
These reports are frequently used for real estate transactions, permit applications, insurance documentation, and HOA requirements.
Firewood Removal & Hauling
Standard practice is to remove all debris and wood cut, but we can cut and place firewood if the customer desires.
If you'd rather keep the wood, we'll cut the trunk into rounds at the length you specify and stack them where you want them. We also haul material from trees we didn't remove, whether a storm dropped limbs or a previous contractor left wood behind.
Oak and hickory season well for firewood. Pine burns fast and produces more creosote, which makes it a poor choice for indoor fireplaces.
Tree Maintenance
Tree Health Inspection
Our inspections start at the ground and work upward: root flare for girdling roots and decay, the trunk for cavities, cankers, and included bark, then the canopy for deadwood and thinning. On mature oaks, pines, and tulip poplars we also look for fungal conks and bark beetle exit holes. We recommend an inspection once per year, twice for trees near homes or power lines, with a written summary after every visit.
Disease & Pest Treatment
Georgia's humidity and mild winters let tree problems persist year-round, so we identify the organism before treating. We handle southern pine beetle in loblolly and shortleaf pine, oak wilt in the red oak group, anthracnose on dogwood and sycamore, scale on crapemyrtle and magnolia, and emerald ash borer with trunk injection on a two-year cycle, timed to the pest's life cycle.
Tree Fertilization
Yard and street trees rarely get the nutrient return forest soils provide. We soil test the root zone for pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients, then apply slow-release fertilizer by deep root injection 6 to 8 inches down, since Atlanta's acidic red clay can lock up nutrients. Late fall and early spring are our preferred windows.
Root Care & Soil Treatment
Compacted soil is one of the most common causes of decline in urban trees. We use an air spade to loosen soil without cutting roots, expose the root flare, and correct girdling roots, then add vertical mulching, biochar, mycorrhizal inoculation, and mulch corrected to 2 to 4 inches. We also fix drainage problems that lead to root rot.
Seasonal Tree Care
Timing affects both tree health and cost. Winter is for structural pruning while trees are dormant, spring for fertilization and fungicide at leaf emergence, summer for deadwood removal and canopy thinning before storm season peaks, and fall for soil testing, root zone treatments, and planting. We avoid pruning oaks between April and June to reduce oak wilt spread.
Tree Risk Assessment
A risk assessment answers three questions: how likely is failure, what would it hit, and how severe would the outcome be. We follow ISA TRAQ methodology, document defects such as codominant stems, decay pockets, and soil heaving, and rate each tree from low to extreme risk. Reports include photos and mitigation options for property managers, insurers, and HOAs.
Specialty Tree Care
Tree Preservation for Construction
Historic & Heritage Tree Care
Root Barrier Installation
Tree Relocation & Transplanting
Lightning Protection Systems
Tree Bracing for Structural Support
What to Expect During an Atlanta Tree Service Job
We start with a free on-site visit. Our estimator inspects the tree's species, trunk diameter, lean, root condition, signs of decay, and dead limbs, and notes what sits in the drop zone, from fences, pools, and sheds to power lines, septic fields, and neighboring structures. You receive a written estimate listing the scope of work, stump grinding, and debris handling, and we'll tell you if your property falls under Atlanta's tree ordinance and needs a permit.
Equipment depends on what the site allows: bucket trucks for trees reachable from the street, cranes for large removals over roofs or in tight backyards, climbing gear and rigging where no vehicle can reach, plus chippers, stump grinders, and mini skid steers. Before cutting starts, we lay ground protection mats over driveways and lawns, tarp pools, patios, and HVAC units, and rig limbs down in controlled sections.
Cleanup runs alongside the removal. Brush goes into the chipper as it comes down, and trunk sections are cut and loaded as the tree is dismantled. When the tree is down, we rake the work area and blow off driveways, sidewalks, and decks. Stumps are ground 6 to 12 inches below grade, and the grindings are hauled away or left to backfill the hole, your choice.
Most residential jobs finish in a single day: trimming one to three trees takes 2 to 4 hours, a standard removal 4 to 8 hours, a crane-assisted removal 6 to 10 hours, and stump grinding 1 to 2 hours. Scheduling from estimate to start usually runs three to ten business days, and permit-required removals within Atlanta city limits add time for arborist review.
Proudly Serving Other Areas
Atlanta
Sandy Springs
Roswell
Alpharetta
Marietta
Dunwoody
Brookhaven
Smyrna
Decatur
Tucker
Stone Mountain
East Point
College Park
Kennesaw
Johns Creek
Duluth
What Our Clients Have To Say
Atlanta Elite Tree Service FAQ
We handle tree removal, tree trimming and pruning, stump grinding, storm damage cleanup, and dead limb removal for residential and commercial properties. We also take on lot clearing, crown reduction, and tree health assessments.
If you're unsure whether a tree should be removed or can be saved with pruning, we'll evaluate its condition and explain the options. Our service area covers Atlanta and surrounding communities, including Marietta, Decatur, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, and Austell.
Yes. Storms across metro Atlanta regularly bring down pines and hardwoods onto roofs, driveways, and vehicles, and we respond to those calls.
Our crews handle trees resting on structures, blocked access points, and hanging limbs that pose an immediate hazard. If a tree has contacted a power line, call your utility provider first, since we won't work on energized lines.
We can also document the damage with photos for your insurance claim.
Yes. We carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage, and we're happy to provide certificates of insurance before work begins.
This matters more than most people realize. If an uninsured crew damages your roof or a worker is injured on your property, you could be held responsible for the costs, so always ask any tree company for proof of coverage, not just a verbal confirmation.
Most Atlanta homeowners pay between $400 and $1,800 to remove a single tree, and the final price depends on several specific factors:
- Height and trunk diameter, since a 30-foot pine is far less work than an 80-foot oak
- Proximity to structures, which can require rigging and controlled lowering
- Tree condition, because dead or storm-damaged trees need extra precautions
- Site access and whether debris must be carried out by hand
- Cleanup scope and stump grinding, which is usually quoted separately
Yes. We regularly remove trees in confined spaces where a tree can't simply be felled in one piece.
In those situations, we use climbing and rigging techniques to section the tree from the top down, lowering each piece with ropes. This gives us control over where every limb lands.
For trees close to service drops or other utility infrastructure, we coordinate with the utility company when line clearance or a temporary disconnect is needed.
Yes. Estimates are free, and there's no obligation to book.
We'll visit the property, inspect the tree and the surrounding area, and give you a written quote that spells out the work included.
That quote shows whether debris removal and stump grinding are part of the price, so there are no surprises later.
Some situations call for a paid arborist consultation instead, such as disease diagnostics, written risk assessments, and reports for City of Atlanta tree removal permits.
Call us or submit a request through our contact form, and we'll schedule a time that works for you.