(203) 264-9937 southburytree.com
Equipment and Capabilities: Crane, Aerial Lift, Chipper
Emergency and Storm: Storm Cleanup, 24 Hour Emergency Response, Quick Response
Specialty Expertise: Works Near Power Lines
Tree Services: Large Trees, Stump Removal, Tree Assessments, Dead Tree Experience, Tree Planting, Cabling Bracing
Credentials and Trust: Long Established, Insured, Licensed
Customer Experience: Affordable, Cleanup Included
Southbury Tree Service was founded in 1980 and has almost forty years of experience. Our licensed arborists know trees. Our goal is to help you maintain beautiful and healthy trees and, if possible, seek to preserve trees rather than them take down.
4.9 from 77 reviews
Based on reviews representing only 1% of total ratings
Southbury Tree Service is best suited for single-family homes, estates, and even farmland in suburban Connecticut where large, high-risk trees, storm damage, or disease demand serious expertise, heavy equipment, and careful coordination near houses, driveways, and power lines. The company thrives on complex, multi-tree projects rather than quick, cursory trims. Clients typically fall into a mid-to-premium budget bracket, those who value arborist-level assessment, long-term health of the landscape, and thorough site cleanup over the cheapest quote. When urgency matters, an overhanging limb that threatens a structure, or post-storm cleanup that must be done promptly, Southbury Tree Service mobilizes quickly with a clear plan and transparent options. In short, this is the outfit to call when safety, precision, and long-term tree health are non-negotiable.
Dave Neal and Ben Neal operate as licensed arborists with a pragmatic, evidence-based approach. They walk properties, diagnose underlying issues, and present a menu of options rather than pushing a single fix. The reviews repeatedly highlight informed guidance: diagnosing unsafe pruning scenarios, recommending cabling or staged removals to preserve healthy trees, and explaining long-term risks in plain terms. The value lies in translating complex tree health into concrete actions and realistic expectations, so homeowners avoid costly missteps or unnecessary hazards. A reputable outcome here means more than removing hazard trees; it means sustaining landscape vigor for years through sound, science-grounded decisions.
Safety governs every operation. The business deploys sophisticated equipment, cranes, spider lifts, and advanced ground equipment, that enables access to large trees without compromising lawns, fences, foundations, or nearby structures. Precision is the recurring theme: limbs lowered with control, branches removed without intrusion on buildings, and deadwood pruned in tightly constrained spaces. Several accounts note work conducted in tight spots, over driveways, or near wetlands with no collateral damage, underscoring a disciplined, safety-first mindset. This isn’t bravado; it’s a methodical adherence to industry best practices, risk assessment, and careful sequencing that protects both people and property.
Cleanup standards set the bar unusually high. Homeowners repeatedly report yards returned to a pre-work or better condition, with debris cleared and leaves blown far beyond expectations. Communication is equally standout: daily updates, photos, and concise summaries that spell out what was accomplished and what remains. The company’s insured status, liability and workers’ compensation, adds peace of mind, especially on storm jobs or near power lines. Crews arrive with a steady rhythm, coordinate around neighbors and structures, and finish by tidying with meticulous attention to detail. This is not merely removal; it is restoration of the landscape’s order and curb appeal.
Southbury Tree Service covers a broad spectrum of services with an arborist’s mindset. Beyond removal and pruning, they offer disease- and pest-management guidance, including beech health concerns and adelgid control for hemlocks, as well as growth-promoting injections and cabling when appropriate. They tackle high-stakes tasks, removing large-diameter trees near homes, negotiating precarious siting, and leveraging a Spider Lift, while keeping the client’s goals in view. They do not shy from explaining why certain actions might be unsafe, instead offering safer alternatives or staged timelines. The net effect is a relationship built on trust: the homeowner gains not only the work done but a solid education on tree health and preservation strategies that pay dividends over time.
Bottom line: for properties where safety, competence, and predictable outcomes matter, Southbury Tree Service deserves serious consideration. Prospective clients should verify licensing and insurance, request an arborist-led assessment, and insist on a written scope with explicit milestones and cleanup expectations. Urgent storm damage or hazardous removals will find rapid mobilization and clear, ongoing communication reassuring. For homeowners who want the work done right the first time, with accountability and ongoing care for mature trees, this team delivers, so long as the budget accommodates skilled labor, advanced equipment, and the long-term health guarantees that come with licensed arborists.
Crane-assisted removal for trees that can't be conventionally climbed or sectioned - ideal for extremely large, hazardous, or tightly situated trees.
Crane-enabled removals are a core capability, enabling safe, precise lowering of large trees and limbs away from houses, driveways, and power lines. Clients report a large crane and chipper arriving promptly and delivering thorough work with impressive cleanup. They handle high and hard-to-reach cuts, including branches up to about 45 feet high, supported by equipment like a Spider Lift that can reach up to 93 feet. Work is planned with safety and site protection in mind, often in tight spaces, and the crew consistently leaves the property well cleaned and orderly.
Uses a towable or tracked aerial lift for high-reach work without the need for a full crane. More versatile in tight spaces while still reaching significant heights.
Aerial lift capability is a core asset, with a Spider Lift capable of reaching about 93 feet paired with crane access to tackle high limbs and large trees with precision. Customers consistently report meticulous execution and exceptional cleanup, noting that yards, driveways, and landscaping are protected and left spotless. The equipment handles challenging sites—from work near power lines to tight spaces and even boggy areas—without compromising safety or ground damage. They emphasize clear communication and safety, with crews coordinating closely with homeowners and keeping projects on track. In Southbury, CT and nearby areas, the aerial lift capability is repeatedly cited as enabling fast, thorough, and risk-aware tree work.
On-site wood chipping turns bulky brush and branches into manageable mulch. Efficient cleanup and an option to keep the chips for your garden.
On-site chipping is a core capability, enabling rapid processing of branches and limbs during removals. Customer stories highlight a large crane paired with a chipper arriving early and finishing the job with minimal debris, leaving the yard neat and often with little trace of the work. They’ve even provided wood chips for garden use, showing how chipped material can be repurposed for customer benefit. In Southbury, CT, the combination of chipper work with careful pruning and thorough cleanup is a recurring theme in the feedback.
Ready to respond after high winds, ice storms, or heavy snow bring trees and limbs down across your property.
Rapid storm cleanup is a core capability, with crews quickly dispatched to remove fallen and hazardous trees and limbs after severe weather such as storms and tornadoes. They deploy heavy equipment including cranes, aerial lifts (Spider Lift) and chippers to reach tall, leaning, or near-house trees, especially when power lines or wetlands are involved, and they can lower sections with precision without disturbing the ground. Customers recount fast, professional service with meticulous cleanup that leaves yards spotless and debris-free, even after multi-tree removals in challenging conditions. They offer clear communication and practical options, often providing daily updates and photos, and they work within budget while prioritizing safety and preserving healthy trees when possible. Serving Southbury, CT and nearby areas, the team combines licensed arborist expertise with long-standing local experience to handle storm cleanup efficiently while protecting homes and landscapes.
Available around the clock for dangerous situations - a tree on your roof, a limb blocking your driveway, or a trunk threatening to fall. Day or night.
Emergency responsiveness is a core capability, with customers noting rapid, around-the-clock attention to hazardous trees and storm damage. In emergencies, they mobilize with heavy equipment such as cranes and a Spider Lift to access tall branches, safely remove danger near homes and power lines, and complete the job quickly. They communicate clearly throughout urgent work, providing updates via texts or photos and explaining options before proceeding. Cleanup is consistently meticulous, with debris cleared and yards left in better shape than before. This pattern shows up in responses to storms and even tornado aftermath in Connecticut, with licensed, insured arborists delivering swift, safe service.
Fast to answer calls and quick to schedule. Whether it's routine work or an urgent situation, these businesses don't leave you waiting.
Rapid response is a hallmark of their service, with many customers noting quick replies to inquiries and urgent storm-damage needs. They’re praised for prompt on-site assessment and action, sometimes handling big storm work on short notice. Communication is consistently strong—Dave and the team provide updates and even photos or short videos to keep homeowners informed throughout the process. Their equipment capabilities enable swift, safe work: cranes, spider lifts, chippers, and a sizable crew allow rapid removal and thorough cleanup without disturbing the landscape. Overall, homeowners experience reliable, professional, and fairly priced quick-response service when hazards threaten homes or require urgent care.
Trained and equipped to work near energized power lines. This specialized work requires specific qualifications - not every company should attempt it.
Power-line work is a central capability, with customers noting safe, efficient clearance of trees and limbs in proximity to power infrastructure and minimal impact on yards and structures. They routinely deploy specialized equipment, including large cranes and Spider Lifts, to reach high branches and to lower cut sections precisely without disturbing the ground or nearby lines. A common pattern highlights precise limb removal near power lines, using devices that grab the tree and lower it with care and control. Clients also report proactive communication and quick response in urgent or storm-related scenarios, with clear updates and thoughtful guidance throughout the process.
Experienced handling oversized trees - tall, wide, or heavily branched. Removing or trimming a large tree requires specialized skill and equipment, and these pros have both.
Large-tree work stands out as a core capability, with experience removing massive-diameter specimens (including beech and pines) and trunks exceeding five feet across. They employ heavy equipment such as cranes and a Spider Lift, plus specialized limb-grabbing and precise lowering devices that let them trim, prune, or lower limbs without disturbing foundations or landscaping. Customers praise meticulous, ground-safe executions with thorough cleanup, even in tight spaces, around driveways, or overhangs near houses and power lines. Arborists provide detailed assessments and clear options, and the team maintains strong communication and rapid response for storms or emergencies from their base in Southbury, Connecticut.
Full stump extraction, root and all - not just grinding. Ideal when you need the area completely cleared for construction, landscaping, or replanting.
Stump removal is routinely completed as part of their large-tree removal work, with customers noting that stumps are hauled away after felling. The crew is described as meticulous and efficient, delivering thorough cleanup that leaves driveways and yards free of debris. In at least one case, they returned the next day to remove large stumps near a driveway, demonstrating their commitment to finishing the job. They employ heavy equipment—cranes, chippers, and even a spider lift—to handle stump and tree removal safely, with clear communication throughout the project.
Offers professional evaluation of your trees' health, structure, and risk level. Useful before buying property, after storm damage, or when a tree just doesn't look right.
Thorough on-site tree assessment is a core strength for this Southbury, CT–based service, led by licensed arborists who walk the property, identify at-risk, diseased, or dying trees, and map potential hazards to structures, yards, and power lines. They clearly explain underlying issues and offer multiple treatment or removal options in the proposal process, helping homeowners understand risks and trade-offs. Assessments often inform preservation strategies, with recommendations for pruning, cabling/bracing, injections, or other treatments to save trees when feasible. They deploy advanced equipment—cranes and spider lifts—to reach high or confined areas without disturbing the landscape, reflecting a methodical, safety-focused approach. Feedback highlights that the arborists are thoughtful, communicative, and thorough, with strong follow-through and reliable, transparent guidance.
Specialists in the safe removal of dead, dying, or diseased trees. Dead trees are unpredictable - experience and caution matter.
Dead-tree removal is handled with safety-focused efficiency, able to tackle large or compromised trees using cranes and precision limb-lowering to minimize ground disturbance. In Southbury, CT, customers repeatedly note rapid response and arborist-led assessments that identify dead or dying trees and offer clear, budget-conscious options to remove hazards while aiming to preserve healthy trees when feasible. They consistently deliver meticulous cleanup—yard debris cleared, leaves blown away, and stumps removed when needed—so the property looks as if the problem never existed. The crew relies on advanced equipment, including spider lifts and cranes, to access high branches and work around structures, power lines, and delicate landscaping in tight spaces. Beyond removals, they provide ongoing care guidance—cabling and bracing for risk reduction, pruning, and disease management—backed by licensed arborists and thorough, transparent communication. Overall, the service is described as trustworthy, insured, and reliably professional, with strong emphasis on safety, speed, and careful preservation when possible.
Not just removal - these companies help you add trees too. Proper planting technique gives new trees the best chance at a long, healthy life.
In Southbury, CT, tree planting is treated as a core service alongside preservation and removal. When replacements are needed, the team identifies suitable ornamental stock, then plants, waters, and nurtures it to help ensure healthy establishment. In one project they filled the site with topsoil and planted a new Katsura tree, demonstrating careful site preparation and precise installation. Arborist leadership from Dave and Ben informs planting decisions with clear options, explanations, and follow-through to monitor the new trees after installation.
Installs steel cables or braces to support weak branch unions, co-dominant stems, or leaning trunks - extending the life of a tree you don't want to lose.
Cabling and bracing are a hallmark of their tree preservation approach, with customers noting rods installed and even re-cabled to extend the life of mature and compromised trees. In tight, high-risk scenarios near homes or driveways, they deploy the right mix of equipment—spider lifts and cranes—and skilled crews to install cables and braces with precision while safeguarding the yard. Clients repeatedly describe careful, methodical work and clear explanations of bracing options, rather than defaulting to removal. The feedback pattern includes successful preservation of trees that might otherwise have been removed, including aging maples and beech, thanks to bracing and ongoing maintenance. Overall, licensed arborists with advanced equipment deliver safety-focused, preservation-oriented cabling/bracing solutions across large and long-standing trees in the Southbury area.
A business with years - often decades - in the community. Local reputation and deep experience speak for themselves.
Dating back to 1980, the long-established Southbury Tree Service has built almost four decades of experience handling a full spectrum of arboricultural needs in the area. Customer feedback consistently highlights licensed, insured arborists who provide thoughtful assessments, clear options, and careful, safety-minded execution. Users note rapid emergency and storm response, sophisticated equipment such as cranes and spider lifts, and meticulous cleanup that leaves properties looking pristine. The approach shows a focus on preserving healthy trees when possible, transparent communication throughout projects, and reliable performance on large, complex removals.
Carries proper liability and workers' compensation insurance. If something goes wrong on your property, you're protected.
Customer feedback consistently shows they are fully insured and carry workers’ compensation, providing protection for homeowners during high-risk tree work. This coverage pairs with licensed arborists and access to specialized equipment like cranes and a Spider Lift, enabling safe removal of large or hazardous trees, precise cabling and pruning, and storm-cleanup near structures, driveways, and power lines. In Southbury, CT, clients note that the insured capability underpins reliable service, meticulous cleanup, and clear communication as crews tackle dangerous removals and protect landscapes.
Holds all required state and local licenses to operate legally as a tree service. A basic but important box to check before hiring.
Licensed arborists lead the team, with Dave Neal repeatedly described as a certified arborist and Ben Neal identified as a licensed arborist. This licensed expertise informs on-site assessments, risk evaluation, pruning, cabling and bracing, and disease or drought-related treatments, with a clear emphasis on preserving healthy trees whenever possible. Customers emphasize that the arborists explain options clearly and tailor solutions to the site, focusing on safety-minded, methodical work and meticulous cleanup. Their licensed status is complemented by strong insurance, including liability coverage and workers’ compensation, which homeowners note as important for large or emergency removals. In Southbury, CT, this combination of licensed knowledge, insured practice, and preservation-minded approach underpins a trusted reputation for professional tree care.
Competitive pricing without cutting corners. These arborists offer fair rates and transparent quotes, making professional tree care accessible for most budgets.
Pricing is consistently described as fair, reasonable, and competitive, even for large projects that involve removing multiple trees. Customers note they deliver strong value for the work—efficient crews, careful pruning and removal, and thorough cleanup—without overspending. In Southbury, CT, licensed arborists and advanced equipment enable big jobs and storm cleanup to be completed at affordable rates. The combination of upfront quotes, clear communication, and meticulous, safe execution reinforces their affordable capability as a trusted choice for tree care in the local area.
All debris - branches, logs, and brush - is hauled away as part of the job. No pile left behind for you to deal with.
Cleanup is included and performed to a high standard, with crews blowing leaves beyond expectations and leaving the yard looking fantastic. They clean up after removing dead or diseased trees, pruning debris, and, in larger jobs, returning to pick up large stumps and tidy up around driveways. Even after storm cleanup or extensive tree removal, the site is left spotless, with debris cleared and not a leaf left on the lawn. This consistent, thorough cleanup reflects a strong commitment to protecting the yard and landscaping while finishing the job.