TreeHugger Complete Tree Care in Ankeny

TreeHugger Complete Tree Care

(515) 520-0971 www.treehuggercrew.com

Equipment and Capabilities: Stump Grinder

Emergency and Storm: Storm Cleanup, 24 Hour Emergency Response

Tree Services: Large Trees, Dead Tree Experience, Lot Clearing, Stump Removal, Cabling Bracing, Tree Assessments

Credentials and Trust: ISA Certified, Long Established, Family Owned, Insured

Customer Experience: Free Estimates, Affordable

ISA Certified Arborists | BBB & TCIA Accredited | Metro’s Best Tree Service (2021-2024) TreeHugger Complete Tree Care is Central Iowa’s trusted, family-owned tree care service, dedicated to preserving and enhancing our urban forest. Our ISA-certified arborists provide expert tree services, including: ✅ Tree Trimming & Pruning (Structural & Corrective) ✅ Cabling & Bracing for Tree Support ✅ Tree & Stump Removal ✅ Lot Clearing & Emergency Storm Care Serving Des Moines, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Johnston, Ankeny, and Ames for 20+ years, we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service, safety, and sustainability. 🏆 Consumers’ Choice Metro’s Best Tree Service (2021-2024) 📞 Call today for a free estimate!

4.8 from 264 reviews

5 stars
250
4 stars
5
3 stars
0
2 stars
1
1 stars
8

Pros

  • They are thorough and clean up everything when they are done.
  • They are upfront and honest about their work and expectations.
  • They respond quickly with detailed quotes and fair prices.
  • They complete tree removals and trimming efficiently and leave the property spotless.
  • They show professionalism, courtesy, and respect for the property and neighbors.
  • They arrive on time and keep to the schedule with clear communication.
  • They handle storm damage and emergencies promptly and safely.
  • They put safety first and use proper protective gear and equipment.
  • They go above and beyond to accommodate changes and ensure customer satisfaction.
  • They are highly recommended and trusted by homeowners for future work.

Cons

Based on reviews representing only 3% of total ratings

Review Overview

TreeHugger Complete Tree Care in Ankeny, Iowa, is best suited for discerning residential clients who face real tree-related complexity: large or multiple trees, tight backyard access, or damage from severe weather where safe rigging and precise cleanup matter as much as the job itself. Homeowners with mid-to-upper-budget expectations who want work done right the first time, with protected landscaping and reliable scheduling, will find their needs met here. Urgency tends to cluster around storm aftermath or hazards over structures, where a fast, well-coordinated crew that understands how to bring down limbs without collateral damage can make all the difference. In short, this outfit shines for houses with valuable trees, limited access, or high stakes, where the cost reflects a premium on safety, speed, and thorough cleanup.

Safety is the backbone of every project, and it shows in concrete, verifiable ways. The crews come equipped with robust PPE and well-maintained gear, and the emphasis on protection extends to the worksite as a whole. Reports repeatedly note the use of steel-toed boots, leg and eye protection, helmets, and reflective clothing, alongside careful motherboard-of-the-yard planning before any lift or cut begins. The company routinely reserves a meticulous approach to stopping damage before it starts, protecting lawns with planks or mats under heavy equipment and coordinating with utilities to mark lines. Even in the most precarious removals, the team prioritizes control over leverage, resulting in few to no marks on driveways or surrounding structures. That same discipline is evident when cranes and lifts navigate tight spaces or over houses, a testament to a crew that treats safety as a non-negotiable, not an added perk.

The transparency of pricing and the reliability of communication distinguish TreeHugger from many competitors. Several reviews highlight prompt, detailed quotes that are honored without surprise add-ons, and invoices that align with the original bid. The office staff, calm, responsive, and well-informed, keeps customers in the loop from first contact through completion, including insurance coordination when needed. This consistency matters especially for property owners who must coordinate schedules with renters, neighbors, or insurance assessors. The company frequently improves the quoted plan based on on-site findings and provides clear explanations of options and costs, which helps clients decide between pruning, partial removals, or full removals without feeling pressured into decisions they do not understand. When changes are necessary, the crew communicates quickly and accommodates reasonable adjustments, which helps preserve trust across the entire project.

Cleanup is not merely a courtesy; it is a defining performance metric. Across hundreds of reviews, TreeHugger earns near-universal praise for leaving properties cleaner than before arrival. Debris is removed, chips and sawdust vanish, and even minor remnants are attended to, with many clients reporting no trace of equipment tracks or disturbed soil. The cleanup extends to post-storm debris and stump grinding, often followed by backfilling and reseeding recommendations, so the yard looks as if the tree work never happened. Neighbors benefit too, as the team consistently minimizes disruption to adjacent properties and street access, sometimes even coordinating with neighbors to keep driveways clear and preserve sightlines. The sense that “they treat the property like their own” recurs, reinforcing a practical expectation that a proper cleanup is as important as the cut itself.

When the job is technically demanding, such as removing large, sick trees in confined lots or delivering limbs with a crane over a roof, the capability and tactics become the proof of value. TreeHugger has demonstrated proficiency with complex access points and high-risk removals, including near structures, fences, and utility lines. The reviews recount efficient, decisive work where the right equipment and experienced operators prevent damage to buildings, buried lines, or landscaping. The team also shows an unflinching willingness to tackle storm damage with urgency, using cranes or lifts to reach remote or elevated branches and then carefully lowering sections to minimize collateral damage. In all cases, the result is a yard that looks orderly and a tree removal that preserves the integrity of the house and the surrounding landscape.

A few cautions are prudent for prospective clients. A minority of reviews document scheduling friction during peak storm seasons or miscommunications that slowed response times. Such instances are rare relative to the volume of positive experiences, but they underscore the importance of locking in a firm start window, especially after major events when demand spikes. It is wise to request a written schedule with explicit contingency plans and to confirm timing with the office as storms threaten or roll in. Another note: like any high-skill, mid- to upper-cost service, TreeHugger may not be the cheapest option in town, but the recurring theme in these reviews is that the value delivered, safety, efficiency, thorough cleanup, and dependable follow-through, justifies the price.

Overall, TreeHugger Complete Tree Care represents a compelling choice for homeowners who need authoritative arborist judgment, industrial-grade safety practices, and a flawless cleanup record. For properties with challenging access, high-value trees, or imminent hazard removal where speed must not compromise safety, this is the team to hire. They bring a disciplined, family-owned ethos to a field that rewards experience and meticulous attention to detail. If the goal is to protect your home, preserve landscape health, and restore order with minimal disruption, TreeHugger stands out as a trustworthy partner who consistently delivers on every front, from precise on-site work to a finished yard that looks better than before.

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.

Deep stump grinding is a standout capability, with customers noting stumps are ground completely and deep enough to leave a smooth, level surface. They report the holes left by grinding are backfilled and the final yard looks clean, often with no visible stump or debris. The service is typically paired with removal work, and the crew follows through promptly to finish the stump grind after the trees are taken down. Access challenges don’t slow them—owners highlight their use of the right equipment and careful planning to reach stumps in tight or hard-to-access areas without damaging the lawn or surrounding structures. Across Ankeny and the Des Moines metro, clients consistently describe fair pricing, reliable scheduling, and thorough cleanup as part of the stump grinding and overall tree-care experience.

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 capability, with rapid response to derecho and other storm damage across Ankeny and the Des Moines metro. Customers consistently note timely estimates, quick scheduling, and efficient, careful removal of fallen limbs and damaged trees after storms. The team uses heavy equipment, including cranes and boom trucks, to access tight yards and maneuver large limbs safely—often lifting material over roofs and around structures without causing new damage. They coordinate with utilities and authorities when storms strike, arranging line drops and utility markings to keep work safe and compliant. Cleanup is thorough and meticulous, with debris removed, stumps ground, and yards left looking cleaner than before, reflecting a strong focus on safety and customer satisfaction even in urgent storm scenarios.

24 Hour Emergency Response

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.

In emergencies, TreeHugger Complete Tree Care demonstrates rapid response to storm damage around Ankeny and the Des Moines metro, often arriving quickly to assess hazards and begin work. Customers consistently report prompt on-site evaluations, detailed quotes, and scheduling that moves fast when a dangerous dead limb or derecho damage threatens property. They deploy heavy equipment, including cranes and lifts, to reach large or hard-to-access trees, often lifting limbs over roofs or working in tight spaces with careful, safety-focused execution. They coordinate with utilities to secure lines before removal—arranging for power line drops and having gas lines marked—to manage risk during urgent tree work. Cleanup is thorough, with debris removed and yards left looking as if nothing happened. While overall feedback is overwhelmingly positive about speed, safety, and value, a small number of reviews note scheduling or pricing tensions during peak storm periods. TreeHugger serves Ankeny and the surrounding area with experienced, family-owned service that consistently prioritizes rapid response and careful restoration.

Tree Services

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 standout capability, with crews using cranes and boom trucks to reach and lower massive limbs and whole trees in tight Ankeny-area yards, sometimes over houses or fences. In the Des Moines metro, customers report removing 70-foot trees and other large specimens from difficult-access sites, with careful staging that protects lawns, fences, and nearby structures. Storm and derecho scenarios illustrate rapid, safe responses: they coordinate with utilities, bring heavy equipment to haul away big trunks, grind stumps, and leave the site with a spotless cleanup. Across dozens of jobs, clients praise upfront, transparent pricing and a professional team that explains options and follows through with thorough cleanup, leaving yards cleaner than before.

Dead Tree Experience

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

Dead-tree work is a core strength, with crews consistently removing dead trees and dangerous limbs with safety and care. Customers frequently describe quick, precise removals—sometimes two dead trees or a dead limb over a house—followed by thorough cleanup and final stump grinding. For difficult sites, they bring in cranes or specialized equipment to lift and safely lower large dead trees without damaging roofs, fences, or landscaping. Quotes and scheduling are reported to be prompt and straightforward, with clear explanations of costs and no hidden fees, and the yard is left cleaner than before. Across central Iowa, including Ankeny and the Des Moines metro, the team’s ISA-certified arborists and safety-conscious, family-owned crew inspire confidence when removing dead trees.

Lot Clearing

Full-scale land clearing for new construction, overgrown acreage, or development prep. Trees, brush, and stumps - all of it gone.

Lot clearing is a standout capability, with crews clearing entire properties by removing multiple large trees, storm debris, and brush, then grinding stumps and hauling away rubbish. They handle tight or difficult sites, using heavy equipment like cranes or lifts and even moving fences if needed, while protecting lawns with protective planks and other precautions. Cleanup after a lot-clearing job is consistently thorough, with customers noting yards look clean and free of debris, often with no trace left behind. They provide upfront quotes, keep to schedules, and adapt quickly in storm or derecho scenarios to remove hazards and coordinate with utilities. In the Des Moines metro area, including Ankeny, homeowners repeatedly report safety, professionalism, and value, making them a trusted choice for lot clearing projects.

Stump Removal

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 performed with precision and thorough cleanup. Customers report stump grinding that reduces the stump fully to ground level, often leaving the yard looking as if nothing was there and filling any holes for a seamless finish. Pricing for stump removal is typically included in the upfront quote, with clients noting that other firms charge extra for stump grinding. In tight spaces or after storm damage, they bring the right equipment and will return for stump grinding after the trees are removed, ensuring a clean, debris-free yard. Across jobs in the Des Moines metro area including Ankeny, customers consistently describe the stump work as thorough, safe, and paired with outstanding cleanup and communication.

Cabling Bracing

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 for tree support is a core capability, backed by ISA-certified arborists who assess structural risk and propose stabilization solutions rather than defaulting to removal when feasible. In the Des Moines metro area, including Ankeny, customers repeatedly note clear, upfront guidance and precise stabilization work delivered with safety and professionalism. They emphasize preserving trees when possible, with feedback indicating they won’t simply remove a tree for profit and will pursue cabling or bracing to extend a tree’s life when appropriate. The crews are praised for safety-conscious, thorough work, protecting surrounding property and delivering meticulous cleanup after stabilization or related structural work. Even in storms and emergencies, the team’s prompt response and careful planning underscore their ability to stabilize hazardous limbs and trunks while maintaining tree health and reducing risk. Overall, the feedback highlights trusted expertise, transparent communication, and results that prioritize long-term tree health and property safety.

Tree Assessments

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.

On-site assessments are a core strength of TreeHugger Complete Tree Care in Ankeny and the Des Moines metro, with crews carefully evaluating tree health, structural integrity, and the risk posed to surrounding structures. Clients consistently note prompt responses and very detailed, transparent quotes that explain what they found, why a given action is recommended, and what it will cost. During evaluations they clearly present options—trimming, cabling or bracing for support, or removal—and tailor the plan to preserve trees when feasible or responsibly remove when necessary, especially after storms or derecho damage. They coordinate safety and logistics during assessment, including planning crane access for difficult removals, protecting lawns and neighboring properties, and arranging for utility coordination when needed. Overall, in central Iowa they’re described as thorough, professional, and trustworthy, inspiring confidence to proceed with the work and often leading to repeat engagements.

Credentials and Trust

ISA Certified

Employs one or more ISA-certified arborists - credentialed professionals who've passed rigorous testing in tree care science and best practices.

ISA-certified arborists underpin TreeHugger Complete Tree Care’s approach in the Des Moines metro area, including Ankeny, delivering knowledge-driven assessments and safety-focused work. Customer feedback patterns show they provide thorough, upfront evaluations led by skilled arborists, with detailed quotes and clear explanations of tree-health options and costs. The crews prioritize safety and professionalism—wearing appropriate PPE, using well-maintained equipment, and even deploying cranes or coordinating with utilities to handle complex removals safely. Cleanup is consistently meticulous, with homeowners noting no mess left behind and strong, responsive communication throughout the process. Taken together, the feedback highlights reliable, health- and safety-centered arboriculture delivered by ISA-certified professionals that homeowners repeatedly hire and refer.

Long Established

A business with years - often decades - in the community. Local reputation and deep experience speak for themselves.

Long-established roots in central Iowa are evident in a steady pattern of trust, repeat engagements, and clear, upfront communication from first contact through project completion. For more than 20 years, they have served Des Moines, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Johnston, Ankeny, and Ames, consistently delivering trimming, pruning, cabling/bracing, removal, stump grinding, lot clearing, and emergency storm care with thorough cleanup. The feedback highlights a family-owned operation with ISA-certified arborists and BBB & TCIA accreditation, employing state-of-the-art equipment and safety practices to handle large trees, storms, and tight yards. Customers repeatedly note punctuality, transparent pricing, meticulous cleanup, and responsive, courteous service, even under storm-driven pressure or emergencies.

Family Owned

A business built and run by family, often passed down or grown from the ground up. Personal accountability and pride in every job.

As a family-owned operation, leadership is visibly engaged on site, with customers noting the owner works alongside the crew and communicates directly about scope and expectations. Feedback patterns highlight fair, upfront pricing and transparent estimates, with honesty about what work is necessary and no hidden fees. The family-owned approach comes through in reports of trustworthy, respectful service where the team treats each property as if it were their own and cleans up thoroughly after the job. Serving Des Moines metro and surrounding areas—including Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, and Ames for 20+ years—this local, family-led model underpins a consistent, safety-focused experience that customers repeatedly praise.

Insured

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

Insured capability is clearly evidenced by explicit customer feedback noting that TreeHugger Complete Tree Care is fully insured and bonded, with ISA-certified arborists on staff. Reviewers consistently describe on-site risk management: crews wear safety gear, use cranes and other heavy equipment carefully, and protect lawns with protective measures like plywood during removals and stump grinding. They also highlight proactive coordination with utilities and authorities (e.g., gas line marking and power-line considerations) to ensure safe work, especially in storm-related scenarios. Across Des Moines metro communities—including Ankeny—the pattern of prompt, transparent communication and thorough cleanup reinforces trust that their insured status underpins safe, professional service.

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.

Free estimates are a consistently highlighted capability, with customers noting they can obtain a detailed quote quickly after initial contact. Reviewers describe the estimates as thorough, itemized, and transparent, often including a clear breakdown of costs and no hidden fees. In the Des Moines metro area, including Ankeny, the company earns praise for fast turnaround and fair, competitive pricing that reflects the scope of work. Office staff and the owners are frequently commended for responsiveness and honesty during the quoting process, with comments like easy to reach and prompt, pleasant communication. Even in urgent storm situations, customers report that getting a free estimate and scheduling is handled efficiently, enabling timely planning for emergency work.

Affordable

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

Affordability sits at the core of TreeHugger Complete Tree Care’s value in the Des Moines metro, including Ankeny. Customers repeatedly mention free estimates and upfront, detailed quotes, with pricing described as fair and highly competitive—some noting it’s among the lowest they received. Even in emergency or storm scenarios, reviewers report quick scheduling, efficient work, and thorough cleanup with no surprise charges, and one customer described it as not the cheapest but extremely capable, signaling strong value for the price. Across trimming, removal, stump grinding, and lot clearing, the team balances cost with safety, accuracy, and respect for property. As a long-standing, family-owned operation serving central Iowa, they maintain accessible pricing while delivering consistent, professional results.