Tree Service in Southfield, MI
By Robert Burgund, ISA Certified Arborist MI-4857A · Updated September 2026
- 5.0 Stars · 15 Google reviews
- ISA Certified Arborist MI-4857A
- Oakland County Since 2013
- Licensed & Insured
What tree work looks like in Southfield
Southfield mixes established single-family neighborhoods with a lot of multi-family and commercial property, and the tree stock reflects that mix. Older residential streets have mature shade trees, maple and oak mostly, planted when the subdivisions went in decades ago, now large enough that a structural defect or a dead limb is a real hazard rather than a cosmetic issue. Ash killed by emerald ash borer is still coming down across the city, the same as everywhere else in Oakland County.
Most tree removal in Southfield needs a permit under the city’s Woodland and Tree Preservation Ordinance, issued at no charge by the Planning Department. Permits are not required for ash trees, dead trees, orchard-style fruit trees, or trees under six inches in diameter, unless the tree is in a designated woodland area. Any contractor performing tree trimming or removal work within the city, including us, must be licensed with the Southfield City Clerk’s office. We handle that as part of every job. Source: City of Southfield Tree Removal Permit FAQ.
If a dead tree threatens a neighboring property
Property owners in Southfield are responsible for removing a dead or dying tree on their own property that could pose a risk to public safety or to an adjoining property. If cost is the obstacle, the city’s Code Enforcement Department administers a Dangerous Tree Removal Loan Program intended to help with the financial burden of removing a genuinely dangerous tree; call (248) 796-4140 for details on that program or the underlying Dangerous Tree Ordinance. We can also give you a written estimate to bring to that conversation.
The ash situation in Southfield
A lot of Southfield’s ash is already dead or dying. Emerald ash borer moved through this part of Oakland County years ago, and untreated ash that was never removed is still standing in back yards and along property lines.
A dead ash does not get safer by waiting. Ash wood goes brittle faster than almost anything else we work on, and a tree that could have been climbed safely a year ago can need a crane instead once it has gone too far. Southfield’s tree ordinance exempts ash trees from the removal permit requirement, so there is no paperwork delay standing between you and getting a dead ash down.
What we do in Southfield
We handle tree removal across Southfield, from routine back-yard work to sectional takedowns on tighter multi-family lots. On mature maples and oaks we prune and reduce the crown rather than top the tree, and we time oak cuts outside the April 15 to July 15 oak wilt window. Dead ash comes out promptly, since it only gets more brittle, and more expensive to remove, the longer it stands. We also grind stumps below grade and provide documentation for insurance after storm damage.
Tree removal → Pruning & tree health care → Stump grinding → Emergency response →
What removal costs in Southfield
A Southfield removal usually runs $600 to $2,500, in line with the rest of Oakland County. A large tree over 60 feet, or one that needs a crane because of poor access or bad wood, sits toward the top of that range or above it. A smaller tree in an open yard with good access is usually near the bottom. Our cost guide breaks the ranges down by tree size and what moves an estimate up or down.
Licensed, insured and free to ask for an estimate
Tree Pros, LLC is licensed and insured, and Rob gives every Southfield estimate in person, free. Read our Google reviews. Hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday for emergencies.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Southfield, MI?
For most trees, yes, under the city’s Woodland and Tree Preservation Ordinance, though permits are issued free by the Planning Department. Ash trees, dead trees, orchard-style fruit trees, and trees under six inches in diameter are exempt unless the tree sits in a designated woodland area. We confirm the specifics with the city as part of the estimate, and any tree contractor working in Southfield, including us, has to be licensed with the City Clerk’s office. Rules can change, so if the city tells you something different from this page, the city is right.
What if I cannot afford to remove a dangerous tree?
Southfield’s Code Enforcement Department runs a Dangerous Tree Removal Loan Program to help with the cost of removing a tree that is a genuine safety hazard, under the city’s Dangerous Tree Ordinance. Call (248) 796-4140 to ask about eligibility. We can give you a written estimate to bring to that conversation.
Who is responsible for a tree in the street right-of-way?
Trees in the right-of-way, generally the strip between the sidewalk and the street, are the city’s responsibility, not the homeowner’s. If you are not sure which side of that line a tree falls on, we can help establish it during the estimate, or the city can confirm it directly.
How much does tree removal cost in Southfield, MI?
Most Southfield removals run $600 to $2,500. A large tree with poor access or one that needs a crane sits at the top of that range or above it. A smaller tree in an open yard is usually near the bottom. Stump grinding is priced separately at $125 per foot of stump diameter.
Written by Robert Burgund
ISA Certified Arborist · MI-4857A
Rob owns Tree Pros, LLC in Bloomfield Township and runs every job himself. He has climbed and cared for trees in Oakland County since 2013. More about Rob and how we work.
Nearby we also cover Farmington Hills and Birmingham, and everywhere else in Oakland County.
Get a written estimate for your Southfield tree.
Rob walks the property, tells you whether the tree needs removing or just needs weight taken off it, and puts the price in writing.
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