First Choice Tree Service in Chambersburg

First Choice Tree Service

(717) 660-6551 www.firstchoicetreeservices.net

127 Equestrian Dr, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17202

Equipment and Capabilities: Stump Grinder

Emergency and Storm: Storm Cleanup, 24 Hour Emergency Response, Quick Response

Tree Services: Large Trees, Dead Tree Experience, Stump Removal

Specialty Expertise: Conifer Specialist

Credentials and Trust: Insured, Licensed

Customer Experience: Cleanup Included, Affordable

First Choice Tree Service is a Pennsylvania-licensed tree care company that provides top-quality tree services. We understand that tree care is a continuous process that needs expertise, knowledge, and experience. That's why we have a team of highly skilled professionals who work honestly and responsibly 24/7. First Choice Tree Service offers tree trimming and removal services, storm damage, stump grinding, and more.

4.7 from 68 reviews

5 stars
63
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Pros

  • The company delivered fast replies, an affordable estimate, and quick scheduling.
  • The crew performed high-quality, efficient, and thorough work.
  • The team was professional, courteous, and hard-working.
  • Cleanup was thorough and the yard was left in excellent condition.
  • Prices were consistently reasonable and highly competitive.
  • They respected the property and minimized disruption to the surroundings.
  • Work was completed safely and efficiently, often ahead of schedule.
  • They left no debris and often removed stumps to leave the site clean.
  • Josue and his team were punctual, responsive, and easy to work with.
  • Customers highly recommend First Choice Tree Service and would hire them again.

Cons

Based on reviews representing only 7% of total ratings

  • A customer claimed the crew hacked off all the limbs of a river birch, making the tree look ridiculous, and even broke two solar lights.
  • A homeowner criticized the company for soliciting during work hours, repeatedly ringing the doorbell until someone answered.
  • A reviewer described the company as “clowns” for leaving a flyer and charging an exorbitant price for stump grinding.

Review Overview

First Choice Tree Service is best suited for residential properties in Chambersburg and the surrounding area that need fast, decisive tree work with solid value. The company shines when handling multiple-tree removals, storm-damage scenarios, or pruning and light trimming on a typical home lot where the structure and fences must be protected. Budget-conscious homeowners will find highly competitive pricing, often cited as the best price among several estimates, and the crew frequently completes work in a single, efficient session. Urgency is a strength here, customers repeatedly note rapid responses, prompt on-site arrivals, and swift project completion, which makes them a strong fit for time-sensitive jobs like fence-build clearances or impending construction siting.

Safety and cleanup standards stand out as the defining features of this operation. Across the majority of reviews, the crew is described as disciplined, careful, and mindful of the property, delivering work that minimizes collateral damage to lawns, shrubs, sheds, and fences. Instances where branches or large materials were dropped and promptly cleared demonstrate a consistent emphasis on leaving the site safer than before. Insurance verification and on-site demonstrations of proper rigging and pruning practices appear in several notes, giving reassurance to homeowners who value prudent risk management. That said, there is at least one documented misstep in pruning a river birch that left the tree looking hacked and altered the landscape; this serves as a caution that pruning philosophy should be clarified before work begins and that scope and technique must be nailed down in the written plan.

Cleanup is not an afterthought but a core deliverable. The reviews repeatedly praise the thoroughness with which debris, wood chips, and stumps are removed or ground, leaving the yard in far better condition than before. Customers report stumps ground to the desired level, fresh-cut limbs hauled away, and even delicate details like preserving a specific ground surface during equipment operation. Several accounts describe the crew leaving a property cleaner than it was found, with no lingering ruts or tire marks and with nothing left behind except the neatly removed trees or trimmed branches. This level of cleanup is crucial for homeowners who want to resume normal outdoor use immediately after service and for those who must coordinate work around driveways, fences, or adjacent landscaping.

Reliability, professionalism, and schedule integrity consistently emerge as competitive advantages. The team is described as punctual, communicative, and capable of adapting to tight timelines without compromising safety or quality. The leadership, often centered on Josue, comes through as approachable, responsive, and hands-on, coordinating crews with a demonstrable capacity to keep jobs moving and to adjust as needed. Multiple reviewers note same-day quotes, quick mobilization, and the ability to handle large jobs with “well-oiled” teamwork. The consistency of performance, whether removing a single tall tree or a dozen smaller ones, and whether the setting is a small-town yard or a cluttered landscape near outbuildings, builds a credible case for reliability that homeowners can count on when time and access are limited.

Pricing and overall value are core reasons customers choose First Choice, but some diligence is wise. The price level is repeatedly described as fair or unbeatable, with many owners reporting that the final bill matched or beat the initial estimate and that the crew delivered more value than anticipated through speed and clean-up quality. A few reviews mention the price as a decisive factor in selecting them over competitors, including in urgent scenarios where quick removal was essential. However, one consumer flagged a tax-related charge on tree removal, suggesting the need for explicit written estimates that spell out whether tax is included or excluded and what is considered part of the scope. The takeaway is clear: confirm the exact scope, tax treatment, stump work, and any additional services in writing before work starts to lock in a transparent, predictable price.

Overall, the practical verdict is that First Choice Tree Service excels for value-driven homeowners who prioritize speed, safety, and meticulous cleanup on routine residential work. They are an excellent fit for removing hazardous or overgrown trees near structures, clearing space for construction, or handling rapid, multi-tree projects without disrupting normal use of the property. They are less about boutique pruning or highly specialized horticultural shaping; when the goal is rapid, thorough tree removal or large-scale trimming with dependable cleanup, this team delivers with confidence. Prospective clients should enter with clear expectations on scope and outcome, insist on a detailed written plan that covers pruning philosophy (for any trimming), and verify insurance, scheduling flexibility, and stump-grinding arrangements. With those guardrails, First Choice Tree Service offers a practical, low-stress path to reclaiming safety and usable outdoor space, delivered by a capable crew that tends to finish fast, cleanly, and affordably.

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.

Stump grinding is a core capability, with crews on site to grind out stumps as part of tree removal projects. One job showed they can leave stumps finished in a way that permits repurposing wood—for example, to make a house number sign or an outdoor table—demonstrating customizable stump finishes. Across jobs, customers note fast response, competitive pricing, and thorough cleanup after stump work, leaving yards neat. In Chambersburg, PA, this service is delivered safely and efficiently, integrating stump grinding with removal and cleanup to minimize disruption.

Emergency and Storm

Storm Cleanup

Ready to respond after high winds, ice storms, or heavy snow bring trees and limbs down across your property.

Efficient storm cleanup is demonstrated by rapid responses, fast scheduling, and quick mobilization after storms in the Chambersburg area. Crews routinely remove large, storm-damaged trees near homes—one job removed a large tree close to the house in about two hours—followed by thorough debris removal and site restoration. Cleanup is thorough and property-friendly, with reports of yard cleanup, no damage to fences or sheds, and minimal disruption to landscaping. The team is described as professional, courteous, and well-coordinated, capable of handling tight spaces and protecting nearby structures while removing multiple trees at once. Pricing is consistently noted as fair, with clear estimates and reliable, responsive communication during storm cleanup.

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.

Emergency readiness is evident in rapid, around-the-clock responsiveness to storm damage in the Chambersburg area. Customers repeatedly cite fast contact and on-site presence, including an on-site estimate within about an hour and crews arriving quickly to handle urgent removals near homes and utilities. In high-stakes situations, they remove multiple trees in tight spaces and complete thorough cleanup, sometimes finishing the work in a single session and following up as needed. The pattern across feedback shows a dependable, 24/7-capable crew that communicates clearly and works efficiently to restore safety and access after damaging weather.

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.

Prompt responses and fast estimates are a hallmark, with inquiries answered quickly and quotes provided within the agreed timeframe. In urgent storm-related scenarios, they mobilize fast—on-site estimates can arrive within an hour, and large-tree removals are completed in about two hours when possible. Digital scheduling is valued, with customers noting the convenience of texting to arrange quotes and crews quickly. Crews consistently arrive as scheduled and work efficiently, leaving the site clean and the property well protected after the job.

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 removals are accomplished quickly and safely, even when trees are close to homes, with examples like a large tree near a house taken down in about two hours. A robust crew and coordinated workflow enable multi-tree jobs in a single visit—cases include removing 10 trees with debris cleared in about 2.5 hours and 6 trees removed in one day. Cleanup and finishing touches are thorough: stumps are ground and left exactly as requested, and yards are left in excellent condition. Operating in Chambersburg, PA, they offer 24/7 emergency readiness, professional crews, careful work to avoid damage to fences or sheds, and competitive pricing for storm damage, trimming, and large-tree removal.

Dead Tree Experience

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

In Chambersburg, removing dead trees near structures is a core capability, with crews able to handle large, hollow, or risk-prone specimens close to homes or driveways while keeping safety a priority. Customers consistently note thorough cleanup, precise stump grinding or removal to their exact preference, and yards left in excellent condition after the job. The team also trims or tops dead limbs and can tackle multiple dead trees in a single visit, showing care to protect the property and minimize disruption. Pricing is frequently described as fair and competitive, and responses are prompt, with quick scheduling and clear communication that helps when dead-tree work is urgent.

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, including grinding, is a clear and recurring capability in their Chambersburg, PA work. Customers report fast, thorough stump grinding as part of tree-removal projects, with crews finishing quickly and leaving yards clean and debris-free. In at least one instance, they left stumps in specific shapes the client requested (for a house-number sign and an outdoor table), demonstrating flexibility in stump handling. Overall, the feedback pattern shows reliable, professional stump-removal service that combines efficient work with thorough cleanup, and customers indicate they would hire again.

Specialty Expertise

Conifer Specialist

Deep knowledge of pines, firs, spruces, cedars, and other conifers - including their growth habits, diseases, and the timing of proper trimming.

Conifer-focused work shines through their ability to remove large pine trees quickly and safely, including felling two large pines near a house and removing 11 pine trees with stump grinding. They also perform conifer maintenance, trimming dead branches and thinning pines—one client noted trimming 9 pine trees and leaving the site in excellent shape. The crew is repeatedly praised for professionalism, safety, and respect for property, often described as a well-oiled machine that delivers thorough cleanup and minimizes disruption. Clients appreciate fast, reliable scheduling and fair pricing for conifer work, with projects completed efficiently and at competitive quotes.

Credentials and Trust

Insured

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

Verified insurance is a clear trust signal in customer feedback, with at least one client noting they called to confirm proper coverage before work began. That insured capability is paired with consistently professional, careful work—crews are described as safe, thorough, and able to remove large trees near homes while leaving the property and yard clean. The combination of Pennsylvania licensing and confirmed insurance reinforces confidence for Chambersburg residents, especially for storm-related removals or urgent needs handled 24/7. Overall, insured capability emerges as a repeatedly cited strength in the company’s service pattern.

Licensed

Holds all required state and local licenses to operate legally as a tree service. A basic but important box to check before hiring.

Pennsylvania-licensed and insured, First Choice Tree Service in Chambersburg demonstrates capable, comprehensive tree care, including trimming, removal of large trees, stump grinding, and storm-damage cleanup. Customer feedback patterns highlight safe, professional crews who complete work near homes with meticulous cleanup and property-preserving practices. The company earns praise for fast responses, on-schedule arrivals, and competitive pricing on complex jobs, from multi-tree removals to precise trimming and stump work. Overall, the licensed capability is reflected in consistent, reliable execution that protects landscaping and communicates clearly throughout the project.

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 and consistently delivered, with homeowners noting that after removal or trimming all debris is removed and the yard is left in excellent condition. They highlight thorough removal of branches, brush, and materials, along with stump grinding when needed, so the site is clean and ready for the next steps—sometimes even in situations like preparing a yard for fencing. The work is described as meticulous and fast, with no damage to lawns, fences, or gardens, and the crew left behind a space that looks cleaner than before. In the Chambersburg area, customers repeatedly say the cleanup is so thorough that the property appears “neater than it was” and ready for immediate use once the job is finished.

Affordable

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

In Chambersburg, affordability is a consistently cited strength for First Choice Tree Service. Customers report getting the best price among estimates or paying a very reasonable rate, with several noting they received the lowest quotes. That value is often paired with fast response and efficient work, and cleanup that leaves the property in good shape. Whether removing large trees near homes, trimming, or stump grinding, the combination of competitive pricing, timely service, and thorough cleanup demonstrates their affordable capability in local projects.