6159 Middlebury Dr W, Worthington, Ohio 43085
Equipment and Capabilities: Crane
Emergency and Storm: 24 Hour Emergency Response, Storm Cleanup, Quick Response
Tree Services: Works Near Structures, Large Trees, Cabling Bracing, Tree Assessments, Dead Tree Experience
Credentials and Trust: ISA Certified, Long Established
Customer Experience: Affordable
Tom started climbing in 1990 in Chagrin Falls, Ohio and started Trapper’s Tree Service there in 1995. He then moved to Columbus in 2000 to continue his education and expand his career. Tom is a 2009 Honor Roll Graduate from Franklin University, having majored in Business Administration (focus in Forensic Accounting), and minored in Marketing (focus in Sociology), Tom has applied his education to the stability and growth of the company. Since that time Tom has become an Certified Arborist, is an apprenticed Consulting Arborist under the late Dave Snyder, and is one of the first Tree Risk Assessment Certified Arborists in the State of Ohio, Qualified through the International Society of Arboriculture. Tom continues to live here in Columbus.
4.9 from 133 reviews
Based on reviews representing only 3% of total ratings
Trapper’s Tree Service is best suited for Worthington-area homeowners facing significant or high-stakes tree work, where the property is tight, safety is non-negotiable, and a swift, professional solution is required. This company excels on large residential lots or homes where trees loom over roofs, outbuildings, power lines, or driveways, and where complex access or mitigation is needed. It is especially strong for jobs that demand equipment like cranes, rigging over difficult terrain, or precision work with limited room to maneuver. While not a bargain-basement option, the value comes from experienced arborists handling hazardous removals, emergency responses, and long-term tree health, making it a sensible choice for mid-to-high budget projects that prioritize safety and reliability over the absolute lowest price.
When safety and cleanup are the baseline expectations, Trapper’s earns its keep. The reviews consistently describe fast, decisive action in emergencies, with crews on site quickly during windstorms or when a tree threatens your house or neighbors. The emphasis is on controlled, predictable results rather than a rush job. Throughout the work, the team is portrayed as meticulous about securing loads, protecting structures, and avoiding collateral damage to landscaping or fencing. Cleanup is not an afterthought; yards are left tidy, wood chips and debris are removed, and the site is left in a condition that requires minimal follow-up. This is the kind of performance that reduces post-job anxiety for homeowners and helps insurance claims move forward smoothly when losses are involved.
The technical prowess behind Trapper’s is a recurring theme in the feedback. The company handles projects that demand more than routine pruning, like removing or lowering oversized trees in tight spaces, stabilizing leaning trees, and guiding large limbs away from homes with calculated, tree-health–minded decisions. Examples include removing 80-foot pines near structures, orchestrating crane-based removals of multi-hundred-year-old oaks, and cutting away limbs that threaten roofs or utilities without compromising the remaining tree. The crew’s competence extends to difficult access scenarios, where even the surrounding landscape must be preserved while excising hazardous material. What stands out is the combination of arborist leadership and field crew capability, ensuring that each operation is executed with an eye toward the long-term health of the tree as well as immediate safety.
In terms of consultation, pricing, and communication, the company often sets a high standard. Estimates are described as thorough and itemized, with multiple options laid out clearly to help homeowners weigh the tradeoffs between preservation, crown reduction, and removal. There is a strong pattern of explanations that educate rather than pressure, with Tom and the team showing a willingness to answer questions, document the process, and provide guidance for ongoing tree care. Several reviews highlight fair or highly competitive pricing, sometimes under other quotes, paired with programmatic transparency about what is included. The best feedback notes proactive communication, photos, progress updates, and coordination with neighbors or city requirements, so owners are never left guessing about what is happening next.
Where the experience can diverge is in the softer edges of service delivery. The vast majority of stories celebrate exemplary professionalism, reliability, and integrity, including responsiveness, courtesy, and quick problem resolution. Yet there are a small handful of isolated complaints about scheduling friction or post-service follow-through in specific instances. Those outliers mainly underscore the need for written confirmations, scheduled timelines, and a clear point of contact, especially when the office is busy or when emergencies run long. Overall, however, the endorsements far outweigh the caveats, and the pattern is consistent enough to treat these as rare, auditable inconsistencies rather than systemic flaws.
For practical decision-making, these guidelines emerge from the body of reviews: choose Trapper’s when safety, speed, and precision matter most, and when the project involves large trees, tricky access, or imminent risk to structures or utilities. Expect an arborist-led approach with a well-equipped crew, capable of deploying cranes, rigging, and thorough cleanup. Insist on an itemized, written estimate with option pathways and a clear scope, and request documentation such as insurance proof before work begins. If price is the sole driver and the work is routine pruning or light trimming without time sensitivity, it may be prudent to obtain multiple bids; still, the proven track record suggests paying a premium for guaranteed safety and long-term tree health. In short, Trapper’s Tree Service stands as a top-tier choice for serious, safety-critical tree work in central Ohio, with the caveat that due diligence on scheduling and scope helps ensure the flawless delivery reflected in most of the reviews.
Crane-assisted removal for trees that can't be conventionally climbed or sectioned - ideal for extremely large, hazardous, or tightly situated trees.
Crane-assisted removals are a defining capability noted by customers in the Columbus/Worthington area. They’ve shown the ability to lift and remove extremely large, aging trees in tight spaces, using a very large crane and riggers to reach the work and protect nearby driveways and structures, including a 250-year-old oak removed without damaging roofs, patios, or gardens. In urgent storm scenarios, the team often mobilizes quickly, sometimes within hours, bringing in the crane to secure or remove hazards before they cause damage. They can operate safely in tight, constrained sites—such as between two homes or over a lawn with delicate landscaping—while maintaining professional communication and thorough cleanup afterward.
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.
Around-the-clock emergency response is a hallmark of their service in the Columbus area. In urgent storms, customers describe rapid on-site presence to secure hazards and prevent damage, often within an hour or two and, in some cases, within minutes. Even after hours and on weekends, the team tends to answer quickly, with reports of Sunday-afternoon emergency calls being addressed promptly. The owner frequently responds personally—rerouting when needed to reach the site and assisting with insurance discussions—demonstrating hands-on leadership during crises. When the situation requires it, they bring in specialized equipment such as large cranes to access trees in tight spots near structures, delivering safe removals and thorough cleanup.
Ready to respond after high winds, ice storms, or heavy snow bring trees and limbs down across your property.
Rapid storm cleanup is a core capability, with consistent on-site assessment and quick mobilization during wind events in the Columbus area, including Worthington. In urgent scenarios, they secure hazards fast and prevent property damage—reports include securing a tree that was about to fall onto a house and removing it within roughly 45 minutes, and arriving within an hour or two to tackle wind-fallen trees. They routinely deploy heavy equipment like large cranes to reach trees in tight spaces near structures, keeping driveways and nearby homes safe while gaining access to large or leaning trees. Cleanup is thorough and efficient, with debris removed and yards left neat, and the team often assists with insurance coordination and communicating with homeowners during the process. Overall, Worthington-area clients see a dependable, professional storm-response service that combines arborist expertise with prompt, safety-conscious execution.
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 is a core strength, with Columbus-area emergencies often met with on-site presence within an hour or two of contact to secure hazards and begin removal. In urgent wind or storm scenarios, they have demonstrated near-immediate action, including cases where the owner arrived within 10 minutes after a call or crews were on site within hours. On-site assessments are decisive and communication is clear; customers report being educated about options and decisions without pressure, with fast explanations of what needs to be done. They regularly handle insurance coordination and deploy heavy equipment, including cranes, to work safely near structures and protect property. Overall, the pattern shows fast, professional, and dependable quick-response service that consistently eases the stress of tree emergencies in Worthington and the greater Columbus area.
Skilled at working in tight spaces where trees sit close to homes, fences, garages, or power lines. Precision removal without damage to surrounding structures.
In Worthington and the surrounding Columbus area, Trapper's Tree Service demonstrates strong near-structure capabilities, handling trees close to homes, roofs, sheds, and fences with care. Customer feedback repeatedly notes fast on-site responses to emergencies to secure or remove trees that threaten structures. For large or awkward trees in tight spaces—such as between two homes or near driveways—the team uses cranes and precise rigging to access the tree while avoiding damage to neighboring property. They also coordinate with insurance when storms cause damage and follow through with thorough site cleanup. Overall, the pattern is one of safety, professionalism, and integrity when working near structures in central Ohio.
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.
Crane-assisted removals and large-tree rigging are a core capability, allowing safe removal of massive trees in tight spaces around Worthington properties within the Columbus metro area. Customers repeatedly highlight quick response and expert on-site assessment, with Tom personally guiding the process and ensuring professional communication. They have removed an 80-foot pine very close to a house and a giant 250-year-old oak that threatened roofs, using a large crane and riggers to protect nearby structures. In other cases, a massive Linden leaning toward a neighbor’s home was felled and directed away within about 45 minutes, demonstrating precision under pressure. The team also handles complex work between two homes, near driveways or utility lines, with meticulous cleanup and assistance coordinating with insurers as needed.
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 are a core capability in their Columbus-area tree work, especially when limbs are close to homes or other structures. One client highlighted expert pruning, bolting, and a cable that protects their home, underscoring a skilled approach to stabilization. In emergencies they respond quickly, assess risk on site, and use stabilizing cables to prevent damage while coordinating safe removal or further work as needed. Their leadership is backed by formal credentials, with Tom as a Certified Arborist and among the first Tree Risk Assessment Certified Arborists in Ohio, which supports their cabling/bracing expertise. They can handle challenging sites with large equipment, including cranes, to access trees near structures and perform safe bracing and stabilization where space and access are tight.
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.
Comprehensive tree assessments and risk evaluations are a core capability delivered by Tom Taber and his team in the Worthington/Columbus area. Tom is a Certified Arborist and among the first Tree Risk Assessment Certified Arborists in Ohio, bringing credentialed, science-based evaluations to property owners. Customers report thorough, educational consultations that explain tree health, disease indicators, and the pros and cons of removal, pruning, or stabilization options. Assessments are paired with clear, itemized recommendations and transparent pricing, sometimes including photos or walk-through explanations to help homeowners understand scope and share costs. In urgent situations, the team responds quickly—often within an hour or two—assessing hazards and coordinating safe removals, sometimes using cranes to access large trees near structures. This approach has earned trust across the area, with clients praising professionalism, thorough cleanup, and ongoing guidance about long-term tree health rather than quick fixes. In short, their tree assessment capability combines credentialed expertise, clear communication, and safety-first planning tailored to Worthington and greater Columbus properties.
Specialists in the safe removal of dead, dying, or diseased trees. Dead trees are unpredictable - experience and caution matter.
Dead-tree removal is a central capability, backed by Tom Taber’s credentials as a Certified Arborist and one of Ohio’s pioneering Tree Risk Assessment Certified Arborists. In urgent scenarios, customers consistently report rapid on-site assessment and decisive action, with responses often within hours and crews ready to deploy cranes to reach trees near structures. Work is performed with careful precision to prevent damage to homes, sheds, and landscaping, and the cleanup is thorough—yards are left neat and debris disposed of. They frequently assist with insurance coordination and provide informed, no-pressure guidance on whether to remove or preserve trees, sometimes documenting progress with photos. Across Columbus-area properties, the dead-tree capability is demonstrated in complex, near-structure removals using large equipment, always prioritizing safety and clear communication.
Employs one or more ISA-certified arborists - credentialed professionals who've passed rigorous testing in tree care science and best practices.
The ISA-certified arborist capability at Trapper’s Tree Service is evident in a consistent, risk-aware approach to tree care in the Worthington/Columbus area, including certification as a Tree Risk Assessment Certified Arborist. Customer feedback patterns highlight Tom’s deep knowledge, professionalism, and clear explanations of what’s needed and why, rather than pushy sales tactics. In emergency and time-critical situations, responses are rapid and planning emphasizes safety around structures, often using cranes for large trees when required. The team’s emphasis on education, transparency, and careful consideration of tree health shows through in detailed, cited options and thorough cleanups, with guidance that helps homeowners make informed decisions. Across diverse residential settings, clients report reliable communication, insurance coordination when needed, and work that protects both people and property, underscoring the value of ISA-certified expertise in central Ohio.
A business with years - often decades - in the community. Local reputation and deep experience speak for themselves.
Long-established expertise shines through in rapid, reliable responses and sustained, high-quality tree care in Worthington and the greater Columbus area. In storm and emergency situations, customers report immediate inspections and prompt removal, often with crews on site within hours and, in some cases, minutes of contact. The leadership of Tom Taber, a certified arborist and one of Ohio’s early Tree Risk Assessment Certified Arborists, informs work that requires precision, cranes for large removals, and careful handling near structures, with clear, itemized estimates and practical guidance. Feedback consistently highlights professional communication, thorough cleanup, integrity, and fair pricing, along with a readiness to educate customers rather than pressure for unnecessary services. Taken together, these patterns reflect a long-standing capability built over decades to handle both urgent and routine tree-care needs in this central Ohio community.
Competitive pricing without cutting corners. These arborists offer fair rates and transparent quotes, making professional tree care accessible for most budgets.
Affordability defines Trapper's Tree Service as they handle urgent removals and routine care with strong value in the Columbus area. The pattern across cases shows customers consistently getting competitive, often unbeatable pricing for complex jobs, including crane-assisted removals and emergency responses. They pair fast response with careful, high-quality work, delivering safety and reliability without inflated costs during storms or crises. Their consultations emphasize options and cost-conscious decisions, with Tom providing education and transparent pricing that helps homeowners manage budgets. Taken together, price competitiveness and expert arborist service earn repeat business and broad trust across central Ohio.