(419) 224-8733 www.1stchoicetreeservice.com
1881 N Dixie Hwy, Lima, Ohio 45801
Equipment and Capabilities: Bucket Truck, Stump Grinder
Emergency and Storm: 24 Hour Emergency Response, Storm Cleanup, Quick Response
Specialty Expertise: Works Near Power Lines
Tree Services: Works Near Structures, Large Trees, Dead Tree Experience
Credentials and Trust: Insured
Customer Experience: Free Estimates, Affordable, Cleanup Included
1st Choice Tree Service is focused on implementing safe and proper tree care in our area. We have noticed a need for healthy tree maintenance locally, especially in the area of industry approved pruning standards. We strive to have a hand in preserving the trees of our community and ensuring they will be around for generations to enjoy. We are locally owned and operated. Our team includes a driven, detailed oriented owner, an office manager centered around customer service, a professional climber, a skilled bucket operator and a crew of safe knowledgeable ground guys. All who truly work as a team and take pride in the job at hand.
4.7 from 98 reviews
Based on reviews representing only 7% of total ratings
1st Choice Tree Service is best suited for properties in the Lima, Ohio area where safety-driven complexity, reliable cleanup, and solid arboricultural judgment matter more than the lowest hourly rate. The company consistently handles both single-family yards and rental properties with big, obstructive trees, tight access, or trees that threaten structures or utilities. Urgency is a frequent driver here: windstorm damage, leaning trees, or limbs that suddenly block driveways or threaten power lines are managed quickly and decisively. For budget-minded owners, the service often proves competitive for the scope of work, yet it remains clear that the firm’s value lies in professional capability, thorough cleanup, and a measured, arborist-led approach rather than a bare-minimum cut-and-run job.
Safety and cleanup standards are where this outfit earns its reputation and where property owners should set expectations. Across the board, projects end with a level of tidiness that rivals or exceeds the pre-work condition. Debris is removed, stumps are ground, and yard surfaces, driveways, sidewalks, and pavers, are protected from equipment and logging tracks. Plenty of reviews emphasize not a stick left behind, with crews carefully stacking lumber or firewood only if requested. Numerous stories describe workers using proper PPE, maintaining organized rigging, and avoiding collateral damage to lawns, flower beds, or neighboring properties. In emergencies, the same meticulous cleanup follows the removal, turning a potentially chaotic scene into a neat closure that satisfies even meticulous neighbors.
The scope of work handled by 1st Choice Tree Service ranges from precision pruning to multi-tree removals under tight constraints. Clients repeatedly note the team’s practical arboricultural knowledge: pruning that preserves tree health, removal of dangerous or dead limbs, and the capacity to bring down large trees adjacent to houses, fencing, or power lines. The crew’s efficiency is paired with thoughtful planning, Bernie explains the process upfront, and the crew executes with a clockwork cadence, often delivering a plan that anticipates access challenges and yard preservation. They show a willingness to adapt on-site, offer cost-saving recommendations, and, when requested, leave or harvest wood in a controlled manner. This combination of skilled work and on-site adaptability makes them a strong match for complex jobs where the risk of damage or long cleanups is a major concern.
Pricing is consistently portrayed as fair to solidly competitive, with many reviews praising value relative to the quality of work and the level of service. Several customers report the lowest or near-lowest quotes in the area, while others acknowledge that the most thorough, careful services command a premium, yet still view the outcome as money well spent. The decision to invest comes down to risk management and certainty: when a large tree sits near a home, a fence, or a meter base, the cost to execute safely and restore the landscape is often worth paying for. The firm’s willingness to provide written estimates, sometimes quickly, sometimes as part of a rapid mobilization, reduces guesswork and helps property owners justify the expense to insurance or management when needed.
Responsiveness and reliability thread through many of the strongest reviews. When Sarah or Bernie engages, estimates arrive promptly, questions are answered clearly, and teams are mobilized with impressive speed. Clients repeatedly highlight the ability to secure same- or next-day scheduling after an estimate, and they praise on-site crews for keeping commitments, showing up on time, and maintaining professional conduct throughout. The flip side is a small number of reports citing missed appointments or delayed follow-ups; these are rare relative to the overall record but worth acknowledging. For best results, plan with a written schedule, confirm the appointment window, and keep a clear line of communication for any weather-related delays or access issues.
In the practical decision framework, this company shines for property owners who demand safety-first execution, meticulous cleanup, and arborist-informed decisions that protect the landscape long after the job is done. Ideal clients include homeowners facing emergency removals or high-visibility pruning near structures, landlords managing turnover where yard appearance matters, and commercial properties seeking reliable crews that can navigate tight spaces with minimal disruption. The right fit is someone who values a thorough cleanup, pays for experienced judgment, and expects a trustworthy team to protect driveways, fences, and plantings while delivering clean, professional results. Owners who want the lowest possible price at the expense of safety or accountability should look elsewhere; those who prioritize safety, reliability, and a high standard of finish will find 1st Choice Tree Service to be the first and best choice.
To maximize outcomes, prospective clients should request a written estimate, confirm insurance coverage, and discuss wood-wood disposal preferences (whether to keep, stack, or remove). Before work begins, clarify the plan for staging and protection of hardscapes, and ask for a brief on the planned rigging and drop zones to avoid damage to nearby plantings or structures. After completion, insist on a final cleanup brief and a quick walk-around with the crew lead to verify nothing was overlooked. In sum, 1st Choice Tree Service is a pragmatic, capable partner for demanding tree work in Lima: unflinching about safety, relentless about cleanup, and principled in communication and workmanship. For properties that require more than a cosmetic cut, this is the team to hire.
Uses an aerial bucket truck for safe, efficient access to tall or hard-to-reach branches. Faster and more stable than climbing for many jobs.
Bucket truck capability lets crews access high limbs and branches over driveways, fences, and even power lines, enabling precise removal and pruning without disrupting the ground. In Lima, Ohio, customers repeatedly note safe, efficient work on large trees near structures, where elevated reach prevents yard and property damage. A skilled bucket operator paired with a professional climber ensures quick, tidy cleanups after elevated work, including stump grinding and debris removal. When trees are near meters, over fences, or across yards, the team’s elevated work translates to careful navigation and minimal disruption once the job is finished. They also handle winter calls, showing the bucket truck’s reliability in less-than-ideal weather and the ability to complete tall, hard-to-reach removals year-round.
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 standout capability, powered by a large, capable grinder that can remove a med-size stump in about 10 minutes. They handle stumps in tight spaces and near structures—near driveways, fences, and even power lines—without damaging surrounding property. In addition to cutting the stump, they backfill and grade the area to match the yard, and will sometimes seed to restore the area. Multiple stumps can be ground in a single visit, with thorough cleanup that leaves no debris behind. Customers consistently note fast, professional service and a neat result that makes the area look as though the stump was never there.
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.
Swift emergency response is a defining pattern in their Lima, Ohio service, with crews mobilizing quickly for urgent calls and arriving promptly to hazardous situations. In wind-storm scenarios they have removed downed trees blocking driveways, ground stumps, and cleared yards while keeping clients informed throughout the process. When emergencies require fast quotes and scheduling, they’ve offered prompt estimates and often work by the next available day, minimizing downtime and disruption. Their work consistently emphasizes safety near structures and power lines, thorough cleanup, and careful protection of surrounding property. Overall, customers in the Lima area repeatedly report professional, responsive service that handles dangerous or time-sensitive tree issues efficiently and with good communication.
Ready to respond after high winds, ice storms, or heavy snow bring trees and limbs down across your property.
Storm cleanup is a standout capability, with crews deployed quickly to urgent windstorm damage. In Lima, Ohio, customers report prompt responses when a storm brings down trees or blocks driveways, with crews arriving to assess hazards and remove debris. They handle everything from downed trees near power lines to large removals across driveways, and they routinely grind stumps and leave the property clean—often commenting on cleanup that goes beyond expectations. Customers also note clear communication and a safety-conscious approach, with crews explaining the plan and keeping the customer updated throughout the job. The service is insured and capable of managing sizable or risky removals near structures, delivering reliable storm cleanup even under tight timelines.
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 defines their service, with customers noting extremely fast replies, prompt quotes, and quick scheduling. In urgent situations they dispatch quickly—often arriving within hours or the next day, including emergencies during wind storms. Communication remains strong throughout, with staff like Sarah providing timely updates and keeping customers informed. On-site work is fast and thorough, as crews cut, remove, grind stumps, and clean up promptly while protecting surrounding property. In Lima, Ohio, this pattern translates to reliable, fast service, with customers describing Bernie and the crew as responsive, professional, and easy to work with.
Trained and equipped to work near energized power lines. This specialized work requires specific qualifications - not every company should attempt it.
In Lima, Ohio, power-line proximity is a core capability, tackled with trained arborists and safety-first planning. They trimmed a large oak that hung over power lines, demonstrating a careful approach to utilities and ensuring the wires were not compromised. During windstorm emergencies, they respond quickly to clear hazards and restore safe access, with thorough cleanup that leaves the area tidy. Clients consistently note professional communication and careful work near structures and utility-adjacent trees, reflecting reliability in these sensitive situations.
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 strength, with crews routinely removing and pruning trees that sit close to houses, fences, driveways, and power lines. The feedback pattern shows they operate with careful planning and steady control to protect the yard and landscaping, delivering thorough cleanup and stump grinding after the job. They’ve tackled tight-space challenges such as large trees near meter poles and power lines, and even trimming trees that extend over driveways, all with safety and professionalism. Their team composition—a driven owner, skilled bucket operator, professional climber, and careful ground crew—enables precise work in confined spaces. In Lima, Ohio, customers consistently report reliable, prompt, and thorough near-structure service with minimal disruption to property.
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.
They specialize in handling large_tree removals, including dangerous trees and those in cramped spaces near homes, fences, driveways, and power lines. In practice, they have removed a pine outside a fence and a huge oak inside a fence with no problems, and they’ve tackled two very large trees next to a house with careful planning and execution. Stump grinding is routinely completed on the same job, with thorough cleanup that leaves yards neat and back to grade. Their work with a silver maple over 250 years old demonstrates capacity to handle historic, exceptionally large trees with safety and respect for surrounding property. Across Lima, Ohio, customers note prompt responses to emergencies, clear communication, and transparent pricing, along with proof of insurance and professional crews that can work in winter when needed.
Specialists in the safe removal of dead, dying, or diseased trees. Dead trees are unpredictable - experience and caution matter.
Dead-tree removal is a core capability, handled with safety-first planning, the right gear, and efficient, careful work in the Lima, Ohio area. In urgent situations, customers experience rapid response and clear communication, such as when a wind storm leaves a tree crossing a driveway and the crew acts quickly while keeping homeowners informed. Stump grinding and thorough cleanup are standard parts of the service, with yards left neat and free of debris. Clients also value the professionalism and knowledge of Bernie and the crew, who provide proof of insurance, clear estimates, and yard-safe execution that protects surrounding structures and landscaping. Overall, the team consistently leaves the property looking better than before, with meticulous cleanup even in challenging dead-tree scenarios.
Carries proper liability and workers' compensation insurance. If something goes wrong on your property, you're protected.
Insurance documentation and coverage are a recurrent confidence signal in Lima, Ohio. Customers repeatedly report that 1st Choice Tree Service provides written proof of insurance and the details needed before starting work, including urgent or weather-related removals near homes, fences, driveways, or power lines. One reviewer noted that affordability was a concern, but the team supplied insurance verification and all information required to proceed, easing safety and liability concerns. Another reviewer explicitly stated that they are insured, and this made a big difference in choosing them. Overall, the insured capability is a clear trust signal that supports high satisfaction and frequent referrals in the Lima area.
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 routinely offered, often resulting from an on-site assessment that leads directly to a quote. Customers consistently report fast quote delivery, with many receiving the estimate within the same visit or shortly after, enabling quick decision-making. Written estimates are available when needed, including for insurance claims, providing formal documentation and pricing detail. During the estimate, the team explains how the work will proceed and what the price includes, helping homeowners understand and plan without surprises. In the Lima, Ohio area, this free-estimate capability is paired with approachable pricing and prompt scheduling, making the quote phase a smooth start to the service.
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 customer feedback, with pricing repeatedly described as fair, affordable, or the best price in the area for large removals, stump grinding, and pruning. The pattern also highlights quick, straightforward estimates—free or promptly delivered—followed by work that delivers solid value for the cost. Customers note that the crew’s efficiency and thorough cleanup accompany the affordable price, leaving yards tidy and damage-free. Overall, the feedback reflects a strong value proposition: professional arborist work done safely and efficiently at a budget-friendly price.
All debris - branches, logs, and brush - is hauled away as part of the job. No pile left behind for you to deal with.
In Lima, Ohio, cleanup is consistently highlighted as a core part of the service, with customers noting properties are left spotless after removal, pruning, and stump grinding. They routinely remove all debris and grind stumps, ensuring no mess is left behind on driveways, yards, or sidewalks. The feedback also mentions tidy touches, like neatly stacking firewood or arranging wood for reuse when requested, and the team taking care to protect surrounding areas during cleanup. Overall, the cleanup is described as thorough and meticulous, leaving the landscape look-alike-never-were-there and ready for its next use.