Tree Removal in Dr. Phillips, FL
Dead, decaying and storm-broken trees taken down in controlled sections, planned around your roof, pool enclosure, fences and lakefront lawn, with ISA Certified Arborist oversight and full cleanup.
Tree on the house right now? Phones are answered 24/7. Emergency tree removal

- 4.8 ★Over 1,000 Google reviews
- ISA Certified ArboristProfessional oversight
- Fully insuredGeneral liability + workers’ comp
- Since 1987Serving Central Florida
Most removals we do in Dr. Phillips are close to something: the house, a pool enclosure, a lakefront lawn or a tight lot with neighbors close by. Each one gets a plan for how the wood comes down, where it lands and how equipment gets to it before anyone starts a saw.
You get a written quote with one fixed price. Only need clearance? See tree trimming in Dr. Phillips, or go back to our Dr. Phillips tree service page.

When removal is the right call
- The tree is dead or dying. Dead pines and oaks get brittle quickly and shouldn’t be climbed, so we use our grapple-saw truck, a crane or a lift where we can.
- Decay at the base or a split trunk. Hollows, fungus at the root flare, cracks in the trunk or a co-dominant split that’s opening up.
- Storm damage that can’t be pruned out. A tree uprooted or leaning after a storm, a trunk broken in half, or a top that has failed.
- The wrong tree in the wrong place. Camphors and other fast growers pushing into the roof, the fence or a better tree.
Not sure? Our ISA Certified Arborist can tell you if pruning will do instead of removal. Many oaks just need a good prune.
Recent Dr. Phillips removals
From our own job records, January 2025–September 2026. Listed by ZIP code only. We never publish customer names or addresses.
- Dead cherry laurel and a dying ficus along the back fence
A ficus in the back corner had died back and a cherry laurel along the fence line was dead. From the lift we cut the ficus back to its new growth, removed the dead cherry laurel and hauled all of the debris.
- Camphor, dead trees and a cherry cleared from around the house
A camphor at the end of the driveway, a dead tree over the driveway, a dead podocarpus at the front corner and a cherry tree pushing into the house all had to go. From the lift we removed all four, then raised a sycamore off the roof and lifted the limbs over the driveway.
- Lot cleared ahead of a solar install
The owner was preparing the property for a residential solar project and wanted every tree except the crape myrtles taken out. Over a multi-day job we removed the trees by lift, ground the stumps and hauled away all of the grindings. A certified arborist letter was included.
- Bismarck palm in the backyard
A Bismarck palm in the back yard was coming out. We took it down in sections to ground level and cleaned up all of the debris.
- Large oaks, a camphor and oleanders cleared
The owner wanted the lot cleared except for the front plantings: a 36-inch laurel oak in the front yard, a camphor by the driveway, two large backyard oaks, volunteer trees along the back fence and a row of oleanders. We removed all of them by lift, ground the stumps low enough for grass and removed the grindings.
- Tall pines at the water’s edge, lawn protected
Three mature pines over 60 ft tall stood by the water, with more pines around the property and an oak over the driveway beside the well pump. We removed them by lift with track mats protecting the back lawn, cut the stumps low and cut the oak wood into sections for the owner to keep.
What happens on removal day
- Walk-throughWe reconfirm the plan with you: which trees, where the wood comes down, and how equipment gets in.
- ProtectionGround mats at entries, spotters at pools and service lines, a fence panel taken down and put back if access needs it.
- Controlled removalSections lowered on ropes, lifted out with our grapple-saw crane, or cut from our lift, depending on the tree.
- CleanupBrush chipped, wood hauled, beds raked and hard surfaces blown off. Stumps ground if they’re on your quote.
Climber, lift or crane?
We pick the method for each tree, not one method for every job.
- Climbing and rigging: for trees we can’t reach with equipment, like along a back property line where nearby oak roots need protecting.
- Our CMC 72HD spider lift: for backyard trees over pools and lanais. It’s tracked and fits through many gates a truck can’t.
- Our Fassi 390 grapple-saw crane: for dead or hazardous trees reachable from the street or driveway. It holds each piece while it’s cut.
- A hired larger crane: for very large trees or long reaches over a house. We arrange it and include it in your quote before the job is booked.
Stumps and cleanup
Stump grinding can go on the same quote. We grind roughly 4–12 inches below grade, depending on roots and site conditions, and can chase surface roots in beds. Choose whether the grindings are hauled away (best before new sod) or left for your beds.
Sometimes we recommend not grinding, for example when a stump shares roots with an oak you’re keeping. We’ll explain that at the estimate. More about stump grinding
Permits
Most of Dr. Phillips is unincorporated, so Orange County tree rules usually apply; homes inside Orlando city limits follow the city’s rules. HOA rules are separate, and we’ll help you check what applies to your property. Kevin’s Tree Service can assist with tree removal permit applications when required.
Arborist letters
Certain trees on eligible single-family residential properties may qualify for an exemption under Florida Statute 163.045. Not every tree qualifies, and HOA requirements are separate.
Our ISA Certified Arborist can assess the tree and, when it qualifies, provide a letter documenting the risk. This assessment is a paid service, separate from your free removal estimate. About our ISA Certified Arborist
What affects the price
We price by the job, not by the hour. The biggest factors are the tree’s size and condition, what’s under it, how we get equipment to it, and whether a hired crane or stump grinding is needed. You get one fixed price in writing before anything is scheduled.
Insured crews
Kevin’s Tree Service carries general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Certificates of insurance are available upon request. Insurance details
What customers say
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Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
| Office | Monday–Friday, 8 am–4 pm |
| Weekends | Office closed; phones still answered |
| Holidays | Office closed on major holidays |
Emergency dispatch depends on crew availability, weather and safety.
Dr. Phillips tree removal FAQs
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Dr. Phillips?
It depends on where your property is and on the tree. Most of Dr. Phillips is unincorporated, so Orange County tree rules usually apply; homes inside Orlando city limits follow the city’s rules. HOA rules are separate, and we’ll help you check what applies to your property. Kevin’s Tree Service can assist with tree removal permit applications when required. Certain trees on eligible single-family residential properties may qualify for an exemption under Florida Statute 163.045. Not every tree qualifies, and HOA requirements are separate. Professional arborist assessments and letters are separate paid services.
Can you remove a tree beside my house or over the pool?
Yes. That’s most of our Dr. Phillips removal work. We take the tree down in sections and lower or lift the wood with ropes, our spider lift or our grapple-saw crane, depending on the tree and access.
What if there’s no room to drop the tree?
Then it comes down in sections. Depending on access, we use rigging, our spider lift, our grapple-saw truck or a crane to lower or lift each piece clear of the house, fences and neighboring trees.
Do you grind the stump too?
If you want. Stump grinding can go on the same quote, and you choose whether the grindings are hauled away or left for your beds. When a stump shares roots with a tree you’re keeping, we may recommend leaving it.
Are you insured?
Yes. Kevin’s Tree Service carries general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Certificates of insurance are available upon request.