Tree removal means a provider cuts down a tree and hauls the pieces away. Some jobs are planned. Others are urgent, like a limb through a roof or a trunk across the driveway. Either way, you have a choice of who does the work.
Cellstouched Tree Service is a referral service. We do not cut trees. We connect you with independent providers in our network who serve Los Gatos and the Los Gatos area. Hear from more than one. Compare the approach and the written quote. Then decide at your own pace, with no obligation. If this is your first time hiring a tree provider, this page walks you through it.
Need a Tree Down? Start Here
Short answer: you can hire this out, and you should compare before you pick. Cellstouched Tree Service is a referral service. It connects you with independent providers in our network. The providers do the work. You compare and decide.
Is It an Emergency?
Treat it as urgent if any of these are true:
- A tree or big limb is on your house, garage or car.
- A tree is touching or tangled in a power line.
- A trunk is cracked, split or leaning hard.
- Fallen wood blocks your driveway or the street.
Stay away from anything near a power line. Keep people and pets back. If someone is in danger, call 911. Request a callback to check provider availability for emergency tree removal. Many providers can respond quickly to urgent jobs.
Storm Tree Clearance
Winter rain softens the soil. Then wind pushes on a tree with shallow roots, and it goes over. Storm tree clearance means cutting and removing what fell, often in a tight spot. It is slower and riskier than a planned job, so the price can run higher.
Take photos before anything moves. Providers can often help document damage for a claim. Some policies may cover sudden damage, so check your policy.
What to Do While You Wait
- Do not climb on or cut a tree under tension.
- Do not stand under a leaning tree.
- Move cars if you can do it safely.
- Shut off nothing near downed wires. Leave that to the utility.
Why Homeowners Remove Trees
Most planned removals come down to a few reasons:
- The tree is dead or dying.
- Roots are pushing at a slab, a pipe or a stucco wall.
- Branches hang over the roof.
- A dry, dead tree sits too close to the house during fire season.
- The tree is simply in the wrong spot.
Older bungalows and 1950s-1980s tract homes often have big trees planted close to the walls. Those are common removal jobs.
How a Tree Falling Service Works
A tree falling service takes the tree down in a planned order. Felling means cutting it so it drops. If space is tight, the crew uses rigging. Rigging is rope and pulleys that lower pieces one at a time. A crane may lift heavy sections over a roof. A chipper turns branches into mulch.
The provider decides the method after seeing the tree. Ask them to explain it in plain words.
What the Site Visit Looks Like
A provider checks the tree height, trunk width, lean and rot. They look at power lines, fences, roofs and access. Then they give you a written quote. Some can quote from photos on smaller jobs. Bigger jobs usually need a visit.
What Affects the Price
Size matters most. Then come access, tree health, nearby structures and cleanup. A tall tree over a roof costs more than a short one in an open yard. Hauling away the wood adds to the bill. Stump work is often priced on its own. Get everything on paper.
How to Compare Estimates
Do not just look at the total. Line up the quotes side by side:
- Which tree or trees are included?
- Is cleanup and haul-away in the price?
- Is the stump included or not?
- Does the provider carry insurance? Ask to see proof.
- Who handles any permit?
A very low number with few details can mean missing work. Ask before you hire.
Permits and Local Rules
Some cities and counties protect certain trees, often larger or native ones. Others require a permit near streets or in HOA areas. Rules vary a lot. Check with your city or HOA first. Ask each provider whether they handle the paperwork.
Getting Ready for Removal Day
- Move cars, bikes and patio items away from the work zone.
- Clear a path to the tree.
- Tell neighbors if the work is close to a shared fence.
- Keep kids and pets indoors.
- Confirm the start window with the provider.
After the Tree Comes Down
Walk the yard with the provider. Check for leftover branches, sawdust and damage to fences or lawn. Ask whether they leave wood chips or logs, if you want them. Keep your written quote and any receipt.
The stump stays unless you paid for stump grinding. That is a separate step with its own page on this site.
Decide at Your Own Pace
You can request an estimate and take your time. No pressure. No obligation. Compare, then decide.
What's Included
Whole Tree Takedown
Providers cut the tree down in sections or in one piece, depending on space, height and what sits nearby.
Limb Cutting
Large branches can be removed first so the rest of the tree comes down in a safer, controlled way.
Debris Haul-Away
Many quotes cover hauling off logs and branches. Confirm this in writing, since some providers price it separately.
Storm Clearance
Providers can cut and clear fallen trees and limbs after wind or rain, including ones blocking driveways.
Typical Tree Removal Costs
Prices vary by tree size, access and risk. These are typical U.S. ranges only. Your Los Gatos quote may be different, so get at least two written quotes before you decide.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small tree (under 30 ft) | $150 – $500 | Open yard, easy access |
| Medium tree (30–60 ft) | $400 – $1,200 | Price rises with trunk width |
| Large tree (60+ ft) | $1,000 – $3,000 | May need rigging or a crane |
| Tree near house or lines | $800 – $3,500 | Extra care adds labor time |
| Storm or emergency job | $1,000 – $5,000 | Risky work, rushed schedules |
| Haul-away and cleanup | $100 – $500 | Sometimes already in the quote |
How It Works
Tell Us About It
Request a callback or send the request form. Say what the tree is and where it stands.
Hear From Local Providers
A provider in our network may reach out to talk through the job and set a visit.
Compare Written Quotes
Check scope, cleanup, stump and insurance proof side by side before you choose.
Pick and Schedule
Choose the provider you like and agree on a date. The provider does the work.
Why Call Cellstouched Tree Service
Compare Providers
Hear from more than one independent provider and line up their approaches and written quotes.
No Pressure
Requesting an estimate carries no obligation. Take your time.
Plain Guidance
First time? We explain tree terms and steps in simple words.
Local Providers
Providers in our network serve Los Gatos and the Los Gatos area.
Other Services
Need tree removal services in Los Gatos?
Worried about a tree? Request a callback to check provider availability, or send the request form. A local provider will follow up. No obligation.
No obligationTree Removal Services FAQ
How much does tree removal cost?
Most jobs fall between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars in the U.S. Size, access and nearby structures drive the price. Storm jobs often cost more. Get a written quote from at least two providers.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
Sometimes. Some cities protect certain trees, and some HOAs have their own rules. Check with your city or HOA first. Ask each provider whether they handle the paperwork.
Will homeowners insurance pay for a fallen tree?
Some policies may cover sudden damage, like a tree falling on a house. Others may not cover removal alone. Check your policy, and ask providers to help document the damage for a claim.
Where we help
Los Gatos Santa Clara Newark Woodside Cupertino Palo Alto Campbell Saratoga Milpitas Santa Cruz
Request a callback
Worried about a tree? Request a callback to check provider availability, or send the request form. A local provider will follow up. No obligation.
No obligation