Shifflett Tree Service in Derwood

Shifflett Tree Service

(301) 948-5554 www.shiffletttreeservice.com

7504 Julia Terrace, Derwood, Maryland 20855

Tree Services: Works Near Structures, Large Trees, Stump Removal, Tree Assessments, Cabling Bracing, Dead Tree Experience

Emergency and Storm: 24 Hour Emergency Response, Quick Response

Credentials and Trust: Family Owned, Long Established

Customer Experience: Free Estimates, Affordable, Cleanup Included

Shifflett Tree & Landscape Service has been serving the Montgomery County, Washington DC Metro for over 45 years. We offer complete Tree Care service which includes Pruning,Bracing,Cabling, Surgery,Feeding,Deep Root Feeding, Tree & Stump Removal , Wo

4.5 from 58 reviews

5 stars
50
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 stars
7

Pros

  • Shifflett Tree Service is a reliable, family‑owned company that has maintained trees for years and remains readily available for advice and care.
  • The crews arrive on time, work carefully and efficiently, and clean up thoroughly after the job.
  • Candy is a highly knowledgeable and professional arborist who provides clear, competent guidance.
  • The team is punctual, pleasant, and quick to respond with estimates and next steps.
  • They handle dangerous and complex tree work with professionalism and safety.
  • The service offers competitive pricing and strong value.
  • The company communicates clearly and keeps customers well informed throughout the process.
  • They complete jobs quickly with skilled crews and leave the property neat and tidy.
  • Customers consistently praise the company and highly recommend it for future needs.
  • Shifflett Tree Service brings decades of experience and a proven track record of quality workmanship.

Cons

Based on reviews representing only 12% of total ratings

  • They describe one neighbor’s experience as careless, with debris tossed at cars, cigarette butts dumped on the ground, and limbs falling on property; the crew looked barely sober.
  • They claim some workers operate illegally.
  • They say the workers don’t care about wearing safety glasses or hard hats, even while climbing trees.

Review Overview

Shifflett Tree Service of Derwood, Maryland is best suited for property owners with multiple mature trees, tricky site conditions, or structures that demand precise, professional work. This company excels on residential lots where size, weight, and leverage matter, think dangerous leaners, trees with significant deadwood, or removal of large specimens that require rigging, cranes, or elevated cutting. Budget wise, expect a mid-range to upper-mid-range investment, but the value is clear: dependable crews, systematic planning, and work that reduces risk and downtime. For homeowners who want a dependable long‑term partner rather than a one-off crew, Shifflett’s family-owned model offers continuity across health assessments, pruning strategies, and removals over many years.

Safety and cleanup standards anchor the service, and that is where Shifflett earns or loses trust in a practical sense. The most compelling reviews describe crews that neutralize dangerous scenarios with skillful rigging, precise undercutting, and controlled felling near structures. A standout example involves bringing down a leaning tree with a high rope work maneuver and a hinge system that kept everyone safe while protecting adjacent property. Large removals, sometimes with crane trucks and a full crew, are framed as choreographed operations, finished quickly and with meticulous debris removal. Yet not every report is spotless: a few clients point to PPE lapses or less-than-perfect street cleanup and neighbor impacts. The core takeaway is clear, safety and cleanup are non-negotiable, and prospective clients should confirm PPE use, site barriers, and neighbor-rights protections in the contract before the first swing.

Reliability and responsiveness are hallmarks. Multiple reviews praise on-time arrivals, prompt estimates (often same day), and rapid mobilization once the job is contracted. The company’s ability to respond to emergencies, such as a tree leaning on a house or a tree fall in a yard, within hours, sometimes the same day, is a decisive advantage in real-world scenarios where time is critical. The owners and senior crew members, cited repeatedly as knowledgeable and engaged, seem to offer a level of accountability customers value: a clear plan, steady communication, and a sense that the job will be finished as promised, with attention to the client’s stated needs. This consistency matters when trees pose immediate risk or when projects cascade into scheduling challenges with others in the area.

A mixed thread runs through the primary critiques, underscoring the importance of site management and neighbor relations. On the plus side, most customers repeatedly mention careful, respectful work practices, parking off the grass, protecting lawns, and thorough cleanup. On the downside, one review flagged careless debris handling and a neighbor-facing issue, highlighting that even excellent crews can falter if site access or perimeter control isn’t well managed. This duality should steer decisions: ask for a concrete site plan that includes access routes, debris containment, and a specific cleanup standard (raked, chipped, hauled away, or mulched). Request a pre-work walk-through to flag any potential neighbor impacts, and insist on documented cleanup after completion to avoid post-job complaints.

Value comes from depth of experience, family continuity, and a track record of reliable outcomes over decades. Shifflett’s references repeatedly emphasize fair pricing, dependable scheduling, and a willingness to tailor services, whether it’s trimming a few limbs on aging oaks or removing multiple trees on a back lot. The company’s longevity, years of repeat business across residential and commercial needs, signals a stewardship mindset that prioritizes long-term tree health and property protection. Although a handful of reviewers label pricing as high, the prevailing sentiment is that the investment yields fewer call-backs and greater peace of mind, thanks to professional execution, respect for property, and a clear, no-nonsense approach to estimation and work scope.

For property owners weighing whether to hire Shifflett, a practical decision framework follows. Choose them when the job involves high-risk elements, large limbs over structures, unstable trunks, or trees that require precise rigging, where the payoff is measured in safety and expedient execution. They are equally a strong fit for routine pruning and maintenance because of the depth of arboricultural knowledge and the trust established by a long history of dependable service. Before committing, secure a written plan detailing access, PPE, safety barriers, line-marking coordination (particularly relevant in urban Maryland), and a cleanup standard that matches neighborhood expectations. If a tree-related emergency arises, expect rapid on-site assessment, a clear path to removal or remediation, and a crew that moves efficiently toward a complete, tidy finish. In short, Shifflett Tree Service is the go-to for homeowners who demand competence, accountability, and a correctly executed solution that keeps yards safe and trees healthy for years to come.

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.

Near-structure work is a core capability for Shifflett Tree Service in the Derwood area of Montgomery County, regularly handling diseased trees and those with dangerous leaners that threaten homes. In client feedback, they are described as responding to emergencies within 30 minutes and removing a leaning tree within 18 hours to protect the home. They employ ropes, wedges, undercutting, and hinges to control the fall near structures, delivering safe, precise removals even when space is tight and the tree is adjacent to the house. Crews are noted for punctual arrival and thorough cleanup, with reports highlighting careful work around property and efficient site restoration. With more than 60 years of experience, a long-established family-owned presence in the area, they bring a safety-forward, customer-focused approach to near-structure tree work.

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.

In Montgomery County and the DC metro area, large-tree work is delivered with calm precision, handling dangerous lean removals and multi-tree projects in a single setting. They routinely use rope work, wedges, undercutting, and hinges to control complex drops, even when trees are tall and near structures. A large crew with heavy equipment, including 60-foot crane trucks, is deployed to remove big trees from backyards efficiently and safely, with thorough cleanup afterward. Stump grinding is commonly included, and customers note quick estimates, fast scheduling, reliable service, and consistent care to protect homes and property.

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 routinely included when they perform tree removal, with stump grinding part of the package. Customers report large crews tackling big stumps quickly, often removing the tree and stump and leaving the site clean with thorough cleanup. Safety and professionalism are repeatedly highlighted as they handle difficult removals—such as leaning trees or hazardous situations—while keeping disruption to a minimum. Serving the Montgomery County and DC metro area, including Derwood, Maryland, Shifflett Tree Service is praised for prompt estimates, timely scheduling, and reliable stump removal as part of their comprehensive tree care.

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 health and structural risk assessments are a core capability, with a focus on mature trees, root systems, and any conditions that threaten nearby structures. Customers report knowledgeable arborists who explain findings, outline risks, and offer honest, no-pressure maintenance options, including next steps for health or safety concerns. Assessments guide rapid decisions in hazardous scenarios such as dangerous lean, large dead limbs, or diseased trees, leading to targeted actions like pruning, cabling/bracing, or removal as appropriate, with thorough cleanup. The team delivers prompt estimates and scheduling—often same-day or next-day—and can respond quickly in emergencies, such as when a leaning tree threatens a home. These capabilities come from a long-running, family-owned service serving Montgomery County and the DC metro area, backed by decades of experience and a reputation for reliability.

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.

The cabling and bracing capability shows up in their high-level rigging, using ropes to gain full control of leaning trees and perform precise cuts with techniques like cutting wedges, undercutting, and hinges. When faced with dangerous lean or large dead branches, the crew quickly assesses, stabilizes, and brings the tree down safely, with thorough cleanup afterward. Customers consistently note knowledgeable arborists, prompt estimates, and clear guidance on care and bracing options. Based in Derwood, Maryland, this family-owned operation has a long Montgomery County track record of handling complex cabling and bracing with safety, efficiency, and care for property.

Dead Tree Experience

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

Dead-tree removals and hazardous leaners are handled with professional rigging and controlled cuts, especially in tight spaces or near structures. Emergency responses are rapid; customers report on-site evaluation and estimates within hours, and in critical cases removal can occur within 18 hours after contact. The work often involves ropes, wedges, undercutting, and hinge techniques to safely bring down the tree and protect surrounding property. Cleanup is thorough and consistent, with crews leaving yards clean and sometimes including stump grinding as part of the service. Based in Derwood, MD, the family-owned team has served Montgomery County and the DC metro for decades, earning praise for timely, professional, and fairly priced dead-tree services.

Emergency and Storm

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.

Rapid emergency response is a clear pattern for this service in Derwood and the surrounding Montgomery County/DC metro area, with crews mobilizing quickly for urgent tree hazards near homes and structures. In dangerous situations, customers report on-site assessment within minutes to about 30 minutes and removal often within hours—one case notes a tree leaning on a house evaluated in 30 minutes and removed within 18 hours. When emergencies follow storms or tree falls, the team frequently provides same-day estimates and can schedule removals within a few days, even under challenging conditions. They emphasize safety and thorough cleanup, keeping the property in good order after the job. Overall, the feedback highlights a long-standing, family‑owned operation known for fast, professional emergency responses to protect homes in Montgomery County and the DC metro area.

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.

In Derwood and the broader Montgomery County/DC metro area, this family-owned service consistently demonstrates quick-response capability through rapid on-site assessments, same-day estimates, and prompt scheduling. When a dangerous lean or fallen tree threatens property, they respond quickly—emergency calls are answered within about 30 minutes and removal can occur within 18 hours. Even routine projects show speed: proposals are delivered within hours of a site visit (often 5 hours), and removal can be scheduled within a few days, such as three business days after the visit. Across multiple jobs, the pattern is on-time arrivals, efficient crews, and thorough cleanup, reflecting a well-coordinated, safety-conscious approach that customers repeatedly praise.

Credentials and Trust

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.

Family ownership anchors Shifflett Tree Service in Derwood and the Montgomery County area, with generation-spanning leadership guiding every job. Customers describe a hands-on, dependable team that arrives on time, communicates clearly, and leaves properties clean after careful pruning, cabling, or removal. When dangerous or high-stakes work is needed—such as leaning trees, dead wood, or large removals—the family-led crews perform with professional skill, risk awareness, and safe, efficient execution. The business is repeatedly praised for fair pricing and responsive, personal service from Candy, Danny, Kim, and the rest of the family and crew, creating lasting relationships across multiple properties. With over 45 years serving the DMV, they offer a full spectrum of tree care—bracing, cabling, pruning, deep root feeding, stump removal, and cleanup—delivered with local familiarity and a trusted family-oriented touch.

Long Established

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

In Derwood, Maryland, this long-established, family-owned tree service has served Montgomery County and the Washington DC metro area for more than 45 years. Customer feedback highlights timely arrivals, careful, efficient crews, and thorough cleanup that leaves properties ready for use. They’ve demonstrated the ability to tackle dangerous removals and high-risk situations quickly—emergency responses within 30 minutes and complete removals in as little as 18 hours. The range of capabilities covers pruning, cabling and bracing, tree and stump removal, deep root feeding, and large-scale jobs with sizable crews and equipment, including a 60-foot crane truck. Across decades and multiple properties, customers describe fair pricing, clear estimates and scheduling, and a reliable, respectful local team—testament to their long-standing presence in the DMV.

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 frequently mentioned in feedback, with customers noting that Shifflett Tree Service arrives for a free, on-site estimate. The pattern shows rapid turnaround: same-day or hours-after-visit estimates, followed quickly by scheduling and work proposals. As a long-standing, family-owned business serving Derwood, Maryland and the Montgomery County/DC Metro area, their estimate process reflects a culture of prompt, courteous, and transparent service. Customers describe the estimate experience as informative, with honest, tree-by-tree guidance and no pressure to proceed, helping homeowners decide on the needed care.

Affordable

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

Affordable pricing remains a defining capability, with customers noting competitive, fair, and very reasonable rates for everything from pruning and cabling to large tree removals and stump grinding. They complement affordability with quick, same-day estimates and prompt scheduling, helping clients move quickly from assessment to work without surprises. Efficient crews and thorough cleanup on demanding jobs add value, with customers reporting respectful handling of property and minimal disruption. As a long-established, family-owned operation serving Montgomery County and the DC metro, they pair established trust with transparent pricing and reliable timeliness.

Cleanup Included

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 as a standard part of their tree services, and clients consistently report thorough post-work cleanup. After removals, trimming, or stump grinding in Derwood and the Montgomery County area, crews leave the yard neat with no lingering debris. Feedback patterns show they not only remove branches and trees but also haul away waste, grind stumps, and clear chips, leaving the property spotless. Even in challenging jobs—dangerous removals or removals under tight conditions—the team cleans up meticulously and restores the site to a safe, orderly state. This strong cleanup focus complements their reliable, quick-response service, earning trust from local property owners who rely on them again and again.