Ex-Tree in De Soto

Ex-Tree

(618) 525-8553 www.southernillinoistreeservice.com

14727 Cambria Rd, De Soto, Illinois 62924

Equipment and Capabilities: Stump Grinder

Emergency and Storm: Storm Cleanup, Quick Response

Tree Services: Works Near Structures, Large Trees, Dead Tree Experience

Customer Experience: Free Estimates, Affordable

Credentials and Trust: Insured

We know when looking for tree services, costs can add up. Talk with us about getting a FREE estimate on our quality services. With ExTree you get honest, reliable, professional service at a reasonable rate. Not only do we give you competitive pricing, our work is fully insured and safe.

5.0 from 226 reviews

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Pros

  • Ex-Tree is extremely professional and courteous.
  • John Yoast and his crew deliver high-quality work at fair prices.
  • They communicate clearly, explain their plan, and keep customers informed.
  • The team completes removals quickly and safely, even in tight spaces.
  • Cleanup is thorough; the yard is left spotless.
  • They go above and beyond to protect surrounding plants and structures.
  • They are highly recommended by many satisfied customers.
  • Ex-Tree handles emergencies promptly and flexibly with scheduling.
  • They minimize disruption and leave properties in great condition.
  • Their bids are competitive and transparent.

Cons

Based on reviews representing only 1% of total ratings

  • A reviewer noted unavoidable damage to their lawn, with ruts and depressions from the equipment, though the crew later filled and leveled the area.
  • A reviewer described poor responsiveness, saying the team couldn’t provide an estimate because a tree climber was needed and they didn’t follow up for weeks.
  • A reviewer mentioned that one crew member was late by about 10 minutes.

Review Overview

Ex-Tree is best suited for homeowners who face high-stakes, space-constrained, or hazard-prone tree work on residential lots in or around De Soto, Illinois. The company excels when the job involves large trees near structures, tight access corridors, or proximity to fences, sheds, decks, or power lines. It is especially valuable for properties where the stakes are real, where a misstep can damage landscaping, compromise a roof or offload lines, or create a dangerous setback in windy weather. Budget-conscious buyers who still demand top-tier results will find Ex-Tree a compelling fit: the bids seen across scores of reviews are consistently described as fair or lower than competing quotes, with a track record of delivering high-value service and dependable scheduling even when calendars are tight.

Safety and cleanup are non-negotiable in this field, and Ex-Tree treats them as core performance metrics. Across the reviews, the crew emerges as safety-minded and process-driven, often coordinating from the ground with bucket trucks, rigging, and even RF communication devices to keep everyone informed and out of harm’s way. The results speak for themselves: no damage to buildings, gardens, or flower beds, and a painstaking commitment to leaving the site cleaner than found. Debris is removed, stumps are ground, and leaves, needles, and sawdust are blown or raked away. Multiple homeowners note that their yards look intact or better after the work, with a level of attention during cleanup that goes beyond “good enough.” This is the kind of cleanup that prevents follow-up issues and minimizes post-project maintenance, which is exactly what property owners should demand for any tree job with complexity or risk.

The workmanship in tight spots sets Ex-Tree apart. Many reviews describe two major strengths: precision and efficiency under challenging conditions. Trees removed in close proximity to houses, decks, or fences are handled with deliberate, practiced movements, and limbs are dropped or maneuvered with a level of control that reassures neighbors and property owners alike. The crew’s ability to navigate around power lines, shingles, and ornamental plantings with minimal disturbance is repeatedly highlighted. Large removals, sometimes in the 60- to 90-foot range, are completed in a single day when possible, with stumps ground and brush chipped or hauled away. The consistent pattern is one of speed paired with meticulous risk management: the job gets done quickly, but not at the expense of safety or property integrity.

Customer service consistently reinforces the decision to hire Ex-Tree. The team is described as responsive, transparent, and collaborative from the first estimate through the final cleanup. Quotes tend to be written, clear, and fair, and negotiations often yield prices that outperform competitors without sacrificing quality. The owners, John and Kim, and their crew are repeatedly cited as courteous, patient, and thorough, taking time to walk the site, explain the plan, and answer questions. Scheduling is portrayed as flexible, with a willingness to accommodate urgent requests or tight timelines, including after-hours or weekend windows when necessary. In several instances, clients note that Ex-Tree not only met expectations but exceeded them, making minor repairs, patching problems caused by storms, or staying late to finish a critical phase so the property was left secure and presentable.

Two caveats emerge from a broad swath of reviews. First, as with any high-demand service, occasional scheduling hiccups or minor delays do occur, though they are rare and typically addressed quickly. A single report mentions a slight lateness, but the overall sentiment remains that the company is reliable and communicative. Second, the company’s strongest value proposition, rapid, comprehensive removals with superb cleanup, also means that for truly minimal jobs, expectations should still align with a full-service, safety-centric approach. In other words, Ex-Tree is best utilized when the job benefits from a comprehensive crew, coordinated equipment, and thorough debris management rather than a minimal-trim visit.

For property owners weighing options, Ex-Tree is the clear choice when the job involves significant risk, tight constraints, or the need for a pristine finish. The ideal customer profile is a homeowner with a complex removal or trimming scenario near a home, shed, fence, or line, who also wants predictably fair pricing, rapid response, and a cleanup that leaves no trace of work behind. Verify proof of insurance and request a detailed written proposal; insist on a walkthrough so the crew can map out rigging, equipment placement, and the sequence of cuts. Expect the team to ground stumps, haul away debris, and return the site to a condition that invites future planting and re-landscaping with minimal disruption.

In short, Ex-Tree stands as a practical, confident recommendation for De Soto-area homeowners facing dangerous or difficult tree work. The combination of safety-first execution, meticulous cleanup, responsive communication, and competitive pricing makes it the service to call when a yard-centered project could become a liability if mishandled. For any property owner prioritizing safety, precision, and a clean finish, with a willingness to invest in top-tier workmanship, Ex-Tree is the service to trust.

Equipment and Capabilities

Stump Grinder

Equipped with stump grinding machinery to eliminate leftover stumps after removal. Leaves your yard clean and ready for replanting or landscaping.

Stump grinding is a core capability of Ex-Tree, typically paired with tree removal to clear yards efficiently. They handle multiple stumps in a single project—ranging from a few to as many as a dozen—completing the grinding quickly and leaving the area clean. The crew works in tight spaces near houses, sheds, fences, and other structures, using careful, precise grinding to protect nearby property. Cleanup is consistently thorough, with debris, wood chips, and dust removed and the yard left neat; in some cases they even address low spots by adding dirt and tamping to restore the ground. In the De Soto, Illinois area, customers rely on their stump grinding as part of comprehensive, insured, and safely executed tree services.

Emergency and Storm

Storm Cleanup

Ready to respond after high winds, ice storms, or heavy snow bring trees and limbs down across your property.

Storm cleanup is a core strength, with rapid emergency response to downed and hazardous trees near homes, decks, and roofs. They consistently show up quickly—often within hours—and lay out a clear plan before work begins. The team works safely in tight spaces and near utilities or structures, using bucket trucks and precise cutting to protect houses, fences, and landscaping. After removals, they grind stumps and perform thorough cleanup, leaving yards and hard surfaces clear of debris and ready for restoration. In De Soto, Illinois, they’ve demonstrated the ability to handle ice storms, high winds, and other storm-related damage while maintaining safety and a neat, professional cleanup.

Quick Response

Fast to answer calls and quick to schedule. Whether it's routine work or an urgent situation, these businesses don't leave you waiting.

Prompt responses are a clear strength, with inquiries answered quickly and quotes often provided the same day. In urgent situations, Ex-Tree mobilizes fast, sometimes arriving within hours—examples include calls about trees threatening property or storms that left damage, with crews on scene in two hours or less. The scheduling pattern shows they fit in time quickly around clients’ needs, weather, and busy periods, while still arriving on time and moving efficiently. Even when working fast, they maintain safety and complete thorough cleanup, leaving yards and surroundings neat and debris-free.

Tree Services

Works Near Structures

Skilled at working in tight spaces where trees sit close to homes, fences, garages, or power lines. Precision removal without damage to surrounding structures.

Close-to-structure work is a standout capability they demonstrate in De Soto, Illinois, with customers reporting safe removal and trimming of trees that are right up against houses, garages, or fences. They regularly tackle limbs overhanging decks or roofs and trees near power lines, delivering precise cuts that protect structures and minimize disruption. To access these tight spots, they deploy bucket trucks and stump grinders and still manage thorough cleanups that leave the yard spotless. The feedback pattern emphasizes safety, professionalism, clear communication from estimate to completion, and reliable results when working near structures.

Large Trees

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 is a core capability, with customers removing trees from 50+ feet to 85–90 feet tall, including those that were near homes, garages, fences, and power lines. Stump grinding and thorough cleanup are standard, with many reviews noting yard debris removed and the area left spotless and ready for rehab or replanting. Work is described as safe and precise, with crews carefully cutting limbs around structures and using bucket trucks and other equipment to minimize disruption. Customers repeatedly note fair pricing and clear estimates, including free estimates, with quick scheduling and often same-day or one-day completions for complex removals. In De Soto, Illinois, these patterns show Ex-Tree reliably handles large-tree projects with professionalism and excellent cleanup.

Dead Tree Experience

Specialists in the safe removal of dead, dying, or diseased trees. Dead trees are unpredictable - experience and caution matter.

Dead trees near structures in De Soto, Illinois are removed with safety-first precision, even when trunks are close to houses, sheds, or fences. The crew excels at felling dead trees in tight spaces and around power lines, then grinding the stumps to restore usable yard space. Cleanup is thorough—debris is removed, chips are cleared away, and the yard is left neat for repainting or replanting. They back up their work with transparent quotes and free estimates, and the fully insured team communicates clearly from start to finish, adapting to schedule and site constraints.

Customer Experience

Free Estimates

No charge for coming out to assess the job and give you a price. Know what you're getting into before committing.

Ex-Tree’s free-estimate capability is a recurring theme in feedback from De Soto, Illinois. Clients consistently report prompt, written estimates or bids before any work begins, with quotes often provided on the same day as the site visit. The pricing is repeatedly described as fair or competitive, and quotes are clearly communicated in writing. This upfront, transparent estimating approach paired with quick responses helps homeowners move forward confidently, even for complex jobs near structures.

Affordable

Competitive pricing without cutting corners. These arborists offer fair rates and transparent quotes, making professional tree care accessible for most budgets.

Affordability stands out in De Soto, Illinois, where Ex-Tree consistently delivers competitive, fair pricing for tree removal, stump grinding, and cleanup. Customers repeatedly highlight free estimates and quick, clear quotes, making budgeting straightforward with no hidden costs. Even on challenging jobs near houses, fences, or power lines, the feedback emphasizes high value—top‑quality work at a reasonable price. The combination of prompt responses, careful scheduling, and budget‑conscious pricing has fostered strong referrals and repeat business in the area.

Credentials and Trust

Insured

Carries proper liability and workers' compensation insurance. If something goes wrong on your property, you're protected.

Insurance coverage is a core trust factor in De Soto’s Ex-Tree service, as reflected by multiple customers noting they are fully insured. Reviewers specifically reference having proper insurance and being insured, which matters greatly when work occurs near houses, fences, decks, and power lines. This insured footing accompanies a safety-minded, professional approach that emphasizes careful equipment use, near-structure awareness, and thorough cleanup. In tight or storm-affected sites around De Soto, customers feel confident proceeding with large removals knowing the service is backed by insurance.