Tree Removal in Sanford, FL
Dead, decaying and storm-broken trees taken down in controlled sections, planned around your roof, fences, the street and overhead lines, 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 Sanford are big trees close to something: an older home, a fence on a narrow lot, the street or the wires along it. Often it’s a laurel oak that has started dropping limbs or a tree that has died. 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 Sanford, or go back to our Sanford 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 Sanford removals
From our own job records, July 2025–April 2026. Listed by ZIP code only. We never publish customer names or addresses.
- Crane-assisted removal of a 48-inch laurel oak
A 48-inch laurel oak behind the home was dropping limbs into the yard. With crane assistance we took it down in sections, hauled all of the wood and ground the stump.
- 45-foot dead pine trunk taken down
A dead pine trunk, 24 inches across and about 45 feet tall, stood in the back yard. Working from a spider lift, we took it down safely and left the wood where it fell, as the owner asked.
- Six sabal palms and a bay tree cleared along the fence
Six sabal palms, three of them about 30 feet tall, and a bay tree lined the side fence, and three more sabals near the front corner needed trimming. We removed the bay tree and all six palms, ground all seven stumps and hauled the grindings, then trimmed the three front palms.
- Driveway tree and two side-yard trees removed
A tree leaned over the driveway just inside the gate, and two 5-inch trees stood beside the house. We removed all three by lift and hauled the debris, then raised the low limbs over the gate and cleaned deadwood out of a front live oak and cut it back from the house.
- 12-inch maple dropping limbs
A 12-inch maple in the back corner was dropping limbs. A climber removed it, and we ground the stump and hauled away the grindings.
- Tree by the side fence removed, queen palms trimmed
A tree on the side of the house next to the fence needed to come out, and the queen palms out front had seed pods and old fronds. We removed the tree by lift and trimmed the palms to the 10-to-2 position.
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
Tree rules differ between the City of Sanford, unincorporated Seminole County and HOAs, so 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.
Sanford tree removal FAQs
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Sanford?
It depends on where your property is and on the tree. Tree rules differ between the City of Sanford, unincorporated Seminole County and HOAs, so 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 Sanford 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.
