Droege Tree Care in Saint Louis

Droege Tree Care

(314) 863-1903 www.droegetreecare.com

6770 Olive Blvd, Saint Louis, Missouri 63130

Specialty Expertise: Works Near Power Lines

Emergency and Storm: Storm Cleanup

Tree Services: Tree Planting

Credentials and Trust: Long Established

Customer Experience: Cleanup Included, Affordable

Droege Tree Care is an St. Louis based tree service company owned by a certified arborist, providing tree removal, tree trimming/pruning, tree/shrub planting and design as well as diagnostics in the St. Louis Metro area.

4.7 from 63 reviews

5 stars
58
4 stars
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0
2 stars
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Pros

  • Droege Tree Care is highly regarded by customers who love their trees.
  • Colleen is hugely knowledgeable and ensures her crews are paid a decent wage.
  • Droege offers great value, being professional and qualified.
  • They come highly recommended for tree care in the challenging conditions of St. Louis.
  • The trees planted by Droege are thriving.
  • Droege helps trees survive tough conditions, including droughts.
  • Colleen makes things right when issues arise.
  • The Droege team is consistently professional, respectful, and efficient.
  • Their communication is clear and timely.
  • The crew performs excellent pruning, planting, transplanting, and removal, with thorough cleanup.

Cons

Based on reviews representing only 6% of total ratings

  • A clerk was described as prejudiced and unprofessional, insisting on a $250 visit fee and nonrefundable charges.
  • Colleen was said to speak condescendingly about the debris issue on the customer’s property.
  • The service was described as very unprofessional on many levels.

Review Overview

Droege Tree Care in St. Louis is best suited for residential properties with multiple trees, especially where trimming near power lines, storm damage, or definitive removal is on the table. This outfit excels when the job calls for arborist-level assessment, careful staging, and a long-term care mindset rather than a quick, cheapest-fare repair. Homeowners with mid-to-upper budget tolerance who want durable, reliable results and a clear, professional plan will find Droege to be a strong partner. They are well matched to properties where the owner cares about the health and longevity of trees, appreciates thoughtful species selection, and prefers a demonstrated track record over a budget-based gamble. Urgency matters here, but it should align with safety and scope; rapid, last-minute rushes may not always align with their scheduling, but hazard-related removals are handled with seriousness.

Safety and cleanup dominate the notes when evaluating tree work, and Droege consistently rises to the bar. Across numerous projects, the crews arrive prepared to work safely, with careful attention to site protection, debris containment, and on-site cleanliness. Reports consistently highlight thorough cleanup, chips removed, leaves blown from roofs and driveways, fences and landscaping restored, and even minor incidental damage repaired or returned to original condition. The company’s approach to near-utility work also stands out: they coordinate with utilities, arrange power shutoffs when necessary, and execute remediation with a calm professionalism that minimizes risk to people and property. Where problems arise in the reviews, they tend to point to rare missteps, underscoring the fact that safety and cleanup are core performance expectations at Droege, not afterthought add-ons.

Arborist leadership and planning are centerpiece strengths. Colleen, described repeatedly as practical, knowledgeable, and patient, anchors a team that can walk a job site, photograph trees, discuss species and locations, and translate technical needs into sensible, place-based actions. Clients consistently applaud the way bids are broken down by work components and the quality of guidance that accompanies recommendations for maintenance, pruning, or replacement. The company’s capacity to manage planting, transplanting, and even long-term care plans, complete with watering schedules and follow-up care, demonstrates a commitment to trees as living landscape assets, not disposable problems. Several reviews emphasize that Colleen’s input helps homeowners avoid over-treatment and save money over the long run, which is a rare and valuable distinction in the tree care world.

Reliability and communication are where Droege often shines, though not without caveats. The broad consensus is that the crew is courteous, punctual, and easy to talk to, with office staff that keeps timelines and costs transparent. Customers report consistent updates, clear explanations of work, and on-the-ground specialists who can execute complex tasks with precision. That said, a handful of experiences illustrate how fragile scheduling can be, demand can outpace availability, and a couple of reviews recount delays or hiccups around contracts and confirmations. These outliers should be treated as reminders to secure written scope and a firm start date, and to insist on timely confirmations and a clear point of contact. When everything aligns, stakeholders describe a seamless workflow from quote to cleanup to aftercare.

Pricing and value sit at the center of practical decision-making. Droege earns high marks for fair, competitive pricing that reflects quality work and a strong arboricultural skill set. Several customers acknowledge that they are not the absolute cheapest option, but they do obtain solid value through skilled execution, durable results, and attentive follow-through. The availability of detailed estimates, transparent breakdowns by task, and thoughtful recommendations for minimum interventions to keep trees thriving reinforces the perception of value. A few comments note that scheduling can push timelines, which translates into a practical warning: budget a bit more lead time than expected and plan for a window rather than a fixed single date. In return, the investment tends to deliver healthier trees, cleaner properties, and fewer surprises.

The bottom-line recommendation centers on whether a property owner should engage Droege for a serious, long-term tree care strategy or reserve them for high-stakes, technically demanding jobs. For homeowners with mature landscapes, power-line proximity, or recent storm damage, and who want a partner that combines arborist-grade assessment with meticulous cleanup, Droege is a decisive choice. The firm’s strengths, safety discipline, site cleanliness, knowledgeable design, and dependable, if sometimes wait-pressured, execution, make them a reliable anchor for a landscape’s tree health and safety. Caution is warranted for those who prioritize rock-bottom bids, demand near-immediate availability, or have documented preferences for ultra-aggressive pushback against contract terms; a minority of reviewers describe tense interactions or scheduling friction that, while not typical, signal the importance of clear, early communication and written agreements.

In short, Droege Tree Care is a prudent fit for discerning homeowners who view trees as long-term capital rather than short-term fixes. Engage with them when the project involves near-utility pruning, multi-tree maintenance, or significant removals with post-job landscape integration. Expect a professional arborist-led assessment, a detailed, itemized bid, and a plan that emphasizes healthy tree structure, proper species placement, and rigorous cleanup. Ensure the contract and scope are crystal clear, confirm start dates in writing, and confirm a precise cleanup protocol before work begins. With those guardrails, Droege delivers dependable results, a track record of thriving plantings, and a service philosophy that respects both the land and the people who care for it.

Specialty Expertise

Works Near Power Lines

Trained and equipped to work near energized power lines. This specialized work requires specific qualifications - not every company should attempt it.

They regularly address trees that threaten power lines, including removing trees growing into lines and performing targeted pruning to maintain proper clearance in the St. Louis metro area. Coordinating with utility providers is a common practice, with Ameren often involved to arrange power shut-offs on the day of trimming for safety. Led by Colleen, a knowledgeable arborist, the team conducts careful assessments of line proximity, communicates options clearly, and executes precise work to protect both the trees and power infrastructure. Clients consistently note professional crews, thorough cleanups, reliable communication, and fair pricing on power-line related projects, demonstrating a strong track record for safe and effective line-clearance 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.

In the St. Louis metro area, storm cleanup is a core capability, with crews performing extensive post-storm work—shaping, pruning, deadwooding, and removal of storm-damaged limbs and trees. They frequently handle trees near power lines, coordinating with Ameren to shut off power on the day of service to ensure safety and smooth access. Customer feedback consistently notes professional, courteous crews and thorough cleanup—chips and debris cleared, yards left neat, and repairs to damaged fences when needed. Led by an experienced arborist, Colleen, the team makes informed decisions about pruning, removals, and storm recovery, helping trees recover and protecting property long-term.

Tree Services

Tree Planting

Not just removal - these companies help you add trees too. Proper planting technique gives new trees the best chance at a long, healthy life.

Planting and landscape integration are a core strength, with Colleen personally assessing yards to select suitable species and optimal planting locations, then outlining a thoughtful plan. Crews excel at planting, transplanting, and pruning, delivering careful installation and thorough post-planting care that includes watering instructions. In the St. Louis area, trees that Droege has planted continue to thrive for years, even through droughts, indicating durable establishment methods. Their arborist-led approach and clear, ongoing communication help ensure correct species selection and placement to support long-term tree health. If a planted tree doesn’t thrive, Colleen makes it right, reflecting a commitment to long-term care beyond the initial installation.

Credentials and Trust

Long Established

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

Decades of service in the St. Louis Metro area have built a long-established tree care capability that combines certified arborist leadership with dependable, on-site execution. Feedback patterns consistently highlight professional pruning and trimming, precise removal, careful transplanting and planting, and thorough cleanup that leaves properties looking pristine. Clients note that tree selections and landscape plans planted by the team endure, with many plantings thriving for years and even after drought, supported by responsive follow-up when needed. The crew handles complex scenarios—such as trees threatening power lines, storm damage, and navigating utility coordination—showing reliable problem-solving and proactive planning. A commitment to clear communication, detailed bids, and respectful, knowledgeable service underpins a loyal, long-standing local customer base.

Customer Experience

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 core capability, with Droege Tree Care’s crews routinely leaving properties spotless after pruning, shaping, or removal. Feedback highlights thorough debris removal—chips, branches, and litter are cleared, and areas like driveways and yards are left immaculate, sometimes even after windy days. They often go beyond basic cleanup, taking care to protect and reset features such as fences and occasionally blowing leaves off roofs or other areas to ensure nothing is left scattered. For storm-related work, cleanup remains a priority, ensuring the site is safe and visually restored. Across the St. Louis area, this consistent, property-respecting approach to cleanup is a hallmark of their service.

Affordable

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

Value-driven pricing is a clear pattern for Droege Tree Care in the St. Louis Metro area, with customers noting professional arborist-led service at a very reasonable price. They do not chase being the lowest bidder, but offer fair bids and transparent, itemized assessments that spell out costs by the scope of work. The team often recommends the minimum needed work and a long-term care plan, which many say saves money over time while preserving tree health. In this market, pricing is described as competitive and reasonable, paired with consistently thorough work and dependable cleanup. The combination of affordable pricing and high-quality, respectful service makes them a trusted choice for tree care in St. Louis.