Tree Care Guides for Oakland County Homeowners

Updated September 7, 2026 · Written by Rob Burgund, ISA Certified Arborist MI-4857A

• ISA Certified Arborist MI-4857A
• Working in Oakland County since 2013
• Licensed and insured
• 5.0 stars from 15 Google reviews

Written by Rob Burgund

ISA Certified Arborist · MI-4857A
Every guide is written from what Rob sees on Oakland County jobs and checked against MSU Extension, the USDA Forest Service, Michigan statute and the city ordinances they cite. More about Rob and Tree Pros, or verify the certification in ISA’s public directory.

The guides

• What Tree Removal Costs in Oakland County
  Real ranges by tree size, from $300 for a small tree to $4,000+ for a crane job, and the six things that move the price.
• Tree Removal Permits, by Community
  Novi, Bloomfield Hills, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills and the rest, in one table. What DBH means and when dead trees are exempt.
• Michigan Tree Law: Neighbors and Who Pays
  Who owns the tree, how far you can trim, and who pays when a tree falls on the neighbor’s house.
• How to Tell If a Tree Is Dying or Dangerous
  The scratch test, the signs of decline, and the different list of signs that a green tree is about to fail.
• Oak Wilt in Michigan
  Why you must not prune oaks between April 15 and July 15, how to spot the disease, and which oaks can be treated.
• Emerald Ash Borer: Can Your Ash Be Saved?
  Treatment works under 10% canopy loss and is wasted past 50%. What the injection involves and why a dead ash gets pricier every year.
• When a Tree Risk Assessment Makes Sense
  What the $399 written assessment covers, the six times it is worth it, and when a free estimate is all you need.
• 5 Warning Signs Before Fall Storm Season
  Dead limbs, cracks, a new lean, heaving soil and mushrooms at the base. What to check in late summer.
• Should You Remove the Stump Too?
  Why the stump is worth grinding, why the same day is cheapest, and how far away to plant the next tree.
• Why Tree Topping Does More Harm Than Good
  What topping actually does to a tree, and what to do instead.
• Planting Trees the Right Way
  The one planting mistake that kills most young trees in Michigan yards, and how to avoid it.
• Dead Ash Tree Removal Cost in Michigan
  Why a dead ash costs more than a live tree the same size, and the ranges by size.

How to use them

Start with the dying-or-dangerous guide if you are worried about a specific tree. Start with the cost guide if you already know it has to come down. If it is an oak or an ash, read the disease guide for that species before you let anyone cut it, because timing and treatment change the whole job.

If a tree is on your house right now, skip the reading and go to our storm and emergency page, or call 248-672-8058.

Tree removal →Pruning and tree health care →Stump grinding →Storm damage and emergencies →Tree service across Oakland County →