Joe McIlvaine Tree & Lawn Services in Feasterville-Trevose

Joe McIlvaine Tree & Lawn Services

(215) 322-8394 mcilvainetree.com

428 Philmont Ave, Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania 19053

Equipment and Capabilities: Crane, Bucket Truck, Stump Grinder

Tree Services: Large Trees, Works Near Structures, Tree Assessments, Tree Planting, Dead Tree Experience

Specialty Expertise: Conifer Specialist

Credentials and Trust: Long Established, Insured, Family Owned

Customer Experience: Affordable

Emergency and Storm: Quick Response

Full service Tree, Lawn and Landscaping company. We can help you design, maintain and diagnose any Tree and lawn needs. We have the ability to maintain your turf, and remove any hazardous tree. Our arborist can recommend preventative pruning and help diagnose plant health needs.

4.4 from 75 reviews

5 stars
63
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
1
1 stars
10

Pros

  • The company provides top-notch communication and service.
  • Vince is a pleasure to deal with and responds quickly, with incredible service.
  • Scott McIlvaine and his crew are highly capable, well equipped, and efficient at large-tree removals.
  • The crew is amazing—polite, hard-working, knowledgeable, and well trained.
  • They consistently deliver professional, efficient, and timely tree work.
  • They leave properties spotless with thorough cleanup.
  • The company has over 30 years in business, state-of-the-art equipment, and an experienced team.
  • Prices are fair and reasonable, offering good value.
  • Staff are courteous, responsive, and professional, with excellent scheduling and follow-up.
  • They are highly recommended and often exceed customer expectations.

Cons

Based on reviews representing only 15% of total ratings

  • The company is accused of caring only about money, with staff described as rude and unhelpful.
  • The heavy machinery damaged the customer’s driveway, and the company took weeks to fix it.
  • The firm canceled appointments or failed to show up, with poor or no proactive communication.

Review Overview

Joe McIlvaine Tree & Lawn Services are best suited for property owners who face big, technically demanding tree work in Bucks County, especially near structures, driveways, or utility lines. This is not the outfit for quick, trim-and-go chores on a postage-stamp lot. The company shines on residential sites with mature trees that require heavy lifting, cranes, or bucket trucks, and on small commercial properties where efficiency, safety, and speed matter. Budget-wise, the service sits in the mid-to-upper tier, reflecting state-of-the-art equipment and a crew capable of complex removals, stump grinding, and meticulous pruning. Urgency ranges from urgent storm-damage response to scheduled, multi-tree projects where coordination and protection of surrounding features must be precise. For a client who wants aggressive, technically sound work and can tolerate scheduling variability when demand is high, this outfit is a strong fit.

Safety and cleanup standards are central to decisions about proceeding with this company. The reviews consistently show crews with the right gear and the know-how to execute dangerous lifts without compromising the surrounding property. Large removals often involve cranes, bucket trucks, and a well-coordinated team that can bring down and remove multiple trees efficiently. A recurring strength is adherence to professional arboricultural care during cuts, with several jobs noted to have been executed to established standards (including Shigo-style finishing cuts) and to a level that preserves nearby ornamentals and structures. That said, safety is not guaranteed to be flawless; one review documents concrete damage from equipment contact, followed by quick repair and reseeding. This underscores a practical rule: insist on protective measures for sidewalks and driveways, confirm crane placement logistics, and request a site-specific plan that minimizes collateral risk. Fully insured status and a long runway of experience further bolster confidence in handling the risks inherent to heavy tree work.

Work quality and operator proficiency consistently emerge as a decisive differentiator. The crews are described as highly capable, with many projects completed without visible damage to adjacent plants, fences, or hardscape, and with clean, aesthetically pleasing results after pruning and shaping. Numerous testimonials highlight thoughtful, deliberate cuts that target tree health and appearance, pruning that preserves structure and form, not just “making the tree shorter.” In several settings, the team’s familiarity with sensitive environments near houses, pools, gardens, and utilities translates into worksites that feel controlled and professional from first contact through final cleanup. The combination of experienced arborists, appropriate machinery, and a proactive crew chief culture, sometimes nicknamed in reviews as “the spider” or other crew captains, contributes to outcomes that look deliberate and well executed rather than rushed.

Cleanup and site restoration also figure prominently in the decision calculus. The majority of reviews describe thorough removal of debris, neat ground surfaces, and a sense that the property is left as it was found or better. Several customers report yards looking pristine after work, with mulch, chips, and branches hauled away and driveways left unencumbered. Yet there are cautionary notes: a few accounts recount ground disturbance or surface damage that required follow-up repairs, prompting a prudent practice for future engagements, do a detailed walk-through with the foreman, document pre-existing conditions, and secure a written guarantee that any incidental damage will be repaired promptly. The practical takeaway is clear: expect excellent cleanup on standard jobs, but verify responsibilities and timelines for any potential touch-ups before signing off.

Pricing and reliability emerge as a mixed but generally favorable dimension. Many customers recount quick estimates, flexible scheduling, and prices that compare favorably with competing quotes, sometimes even being described as the best value or most competitive in the area. The strongest endorsements come from clients who say the pricing was fair for the scope of work, with clear explanations of what was included and what would be billed separately. However, several reviews flag concerns about price variability and administrative hiccups. Instances of inflated quotes, inconsistent billing, or miscommunication about scheduling can occur, though they are not universal. The prudent approach is to demand a detailed, written scope of work upfront, with a line-item estimate for every component (trimming, removal, stump grinding, cleanup, debris haul-off, and any permits if required). Compare this against at least two other quotes, and insist on a firm completion window and a clear process for addressing any price changes before work begins.

Putting it all together, this company is a wise choice for a property owner facing substantial, high-stakes tree work where safety, capacity, and precise results matter. The combination of long-standing experience, robust equipment, and broad capabilities makes large removals, tight-clearance pruning, and stump grinding not only feasible but efficiently delivered. Prospective clients should, however, come prepared with explicit expectations on site protection, a written scope of work, and a documented cleanup plan. Given the variability in scheduling and some less-than-perfect accounts of communication, it is essential to establish a single point of contact, confirm dates in writing, and request a post-work walkthrough to verify that all details, especially any incidental damage claims, are resolved to satisfaction. For most owners, particularly those with large trees or complex site constraints, Joe McIlvaine Tree & Lawn Services offers a compelling blend of capability, efficiency, and reliability, provided due diligence accompanies the engagement. In short, choose them when the job demands serious equipment and serious arboricultural craft, and insist on crystal-clear planning to keep the project safe, clean, and on budget.

Equipment and Capabilities

Crane

Crane-assisted removal for trees that can't be conventionally climbed or sectioned - ideal for extremely large, hazardous, or tightly situated trees.

Crane-enabled removals underpin their most challenging jobs, especially when large trees must be lowered near structures in Feasterville-Trevose and the surrounding Bucks County area. Clients note the crews come with the right tools—crane, bucket trucks, and a multi-person team—and deliver efficient removals with thorough cleanup. In difficult placements, they size the crane to the task; one homeowner was told a 38-ton crane was required to remove a tree safely, and the team delivered. The work is praised for professionalism and safety, with operators and crew providing precise cuts and minimal turf disruption; Toni, a crane operator, is highlighted as highly knowledgeable. This combination of powerful equipment and skilled personnel is a hallmark of their service in the local area.

Bucket Truck

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 access lets the crew reach tall trees quickly and safely, even when work is near sidewalks, driveways, or structures. Multiple customers note that the team brings the right gear—bucket trucks and cranes—along with a capable crew to tackle large removals efficiently. This capability supports high-elevation pruning with precision and thorough cleanup, delivering clean, well-shaped cuts and minimal turf disruption. Orlando’s bucket-operating skills are highlighted, illustrating careful handling of elevated work. In tricky jobs around Feasterville-Trevose and the wider Bucks County area, they can mobilize a crane-equipped crew to complete the job safely and with professional results.

Stump Grinder

Equipped with stump grinding machinery to eliminate leftover stumps after removal. Leaves your yard clean and ready for replanting or landscaping.

In Feasterville-Trevose, PA, stump grinding is routinely bundled with tree removals, and customers consistently report that all stumps on the property are ground as part of the service. One reviewer noted that after removing multiple large trees, the crew ground the stumps and removed the grinding debris within a few days. Another account highlights that stump grinding is performed promptly after the removal day, with thorough cleanup that leaves the site looking undisturbed. Overall, clients describe the stump grinding as a professional, efficient part of a full-service operation, with competitive and reasonable pricing backing the service.

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 work is a core capability, supported by crane-equipped removals and bucket-truck access to handle trees towering over homes in Feasterville-Trevose and the surrounding Bucks County area. Crews use cranes, bucket trucks, and a skilled, multi-person team to safely fell and remove very large trees when space is tight near houses, driveways, sidewalks, or utilities. Stump grinding and thorough debris removal are standard, and they repair incidental damage—like concrete or lawn areas—and reseed when needed after the job. Customers consistently note precise, professional pruning and shaping, with attention to arboricultural standards and neat, clean worksite cleanup. With more than 30 years in business, fully insured and family-owned, they offer rapid estimates and flexible scheduling to tackle urgent large-tree needs around Feasterville-Trevose.

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.

Their near-structure work is demonstrated by routine use of cranes and bucket trucks to safely remove or prune trees that sit close to homes, sidewalks, and driveways in Feasterville-Trevose and surrounding Bucks County. Customers note the crews bring state-of-the-art equipment and a coordinated team to handle large-tree removals near buildings, delivering efficient, professional service. In at least one instance, moving a bucket truck over a sidewalk caused concrete damage, which the team repaired and reseeded within weeks, showing responsiveness to near-structure impacts. They have tackled tricky jobs near electric lines and other utilities, with crews that communicate clearly and execute precise cuts and safe clearances. Overall, the pattern is thorough cleanup and careful protection of structures and property, though a few reviews mention scheduling or pricing concerns.

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.

Tree health assessment and hazard evaluation are central to their service, with arborists who diagnose plant health needs and recommend preventative pruning tailored to local conditions. Customer feedback highlights a knowledgeable, well-trained crew able to identify hazards, assess trees near structures, and decide when removal or thinning is necessary. In complex jobs, such as large-tree removal using cranes or bucket trucks, they assess site constraints, choose the right equipment, and execute precise cuts, sometimes following arboricultural standards like Shigo cuts. The teams emphasize quick communication and responsiveness, often providing estimates promptly and coordinating the work to fit safety and health goals. Overall, their assessment process appears thorough, with follow-through and cleanups that reflect careful planning and professional practice.

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 large, landscape-ready trees is a capability they actively deliver as part of their full-service tree, lawn and landscaping offering. A client ordered a 15-foot Autumn Red Maple and planned to have it planted through the company, with planting dates scheduled promptly—the next day in that case—after the order was placed. Laurie in the office coordinates estimates and planting timelines, illustrating clear communication and reliable scheduling for planting projects in Feasterville-Trevose and the Bucks County area. The operation leverages heavy equipment and trained crews, including cranes and bucket trucks, to install sizable trees even where space is tight or near structures, reflecting a comprehensive planting capability alongside removal and care services.

Dead Tree Experience

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

Removing dead and hazardous trees is a core capability, often handled with crane-equipped crews and bucket trucks to manage large removals near structures in Bucks County. They routinely tackle dead or diseased trees that are hard to reach, including a diseased 200-year-old beech and a dead maple, delivering removals with precise timing and safety. Customers report efficient teams, the right equipment, and thorough stump grinding and debris cleanup so the property looks immaculate afterward. With more than 30 years in business and an insured, family-run operation, they bring experience and reliability to Feasterville-Trevose-area projects. Their approach is reflected in rapid response, clear communication, and careful workmanship when removing large trees and restoring sites.

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 care is a core capability, with an on-staff arborist who can assess conifer health, recommend preventative pruning, and diagnose plant health needs, especially for trees near structures. Customer feedback patterns show frequent use of crane and bucket-truck access to reach tall conifers and other trees close to buildings, enabling safe, efficient thinning, removal, or shaping with minimal site disturbance. Work is consistently described as precise and professional, with references to proper cutting standards (such as Shigo cuts) and aesthetically pleasing results. Crews are praised for responsiveness, clear communication, and thorough cleanup, protecting the property and delivering reliable service even on challenging jobs. Serving Feasterville-Trevose and the Bucks County area, they bring long-standing experience, strong equipment, and a family-owned approach to conifer care and overall tree and lawn services.

Credentials and Trust

Long Established

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

With over 30 years in business, this family‑owned operation demonstrates a long-established capability to tackle large, hazardous tree work in Bucks County. Customer feedback consistently highlights quick estimates, reliable scheduling, and crews equipped with cranes and bucket trucks to perform near-structure removals and high‑level pruning, followed by meticulous cleanup. Their scope spans tree removal, thinning and elevation, stump grinding, ivy removal, and related lawn and landscaping tasks, guided by an on‑site arborist for plant health assessments and preventative pruning. Overall, the patterns show a trusted, experienced provider in Feasterville‑Trevose and surrounding areas, known for professionalism, service, and ongoing family leadership.

Insured

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

Their insured capability shows up in how customers trust them to handle high-risk, near-structure work in Bucks County, using cranes and bucket trucks to safely remove or prune large trees close to homes and driveways. Several clients highlight that being fully insured provides peace of mind during complex jobs, especially when equipment operates near structures or on tight sites in Feasterville-Trevose. When a mishap occurred, the crew promptly repaired the damage and reseeded affected areas, demonstrating accountability that aligns with their insured status. Across Feasterville-Trevose and the surrounding area, homeowners repeatedly note reliable, professional service and careful cleanup, underscoring confidence that the company’s coverage backs up skilled, considerate workmanship.

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-owned and rooted in the Feasterville-Trevose area, this operation brings a hands-on, owner-led approach to tree, lawn and landscaping work. Joe McIlvaine often meets clients for estimates and stays involved through planning, pricing and project execution, which customers describe as approachable, fair and reliable. The crew is praised for being knowledgeable, courteous and efficient, with leadership ensuring the right equipment—cranes, bucket trucks, stump grinders—and a strong emphasis on cleanup and accountability when issues arise. This pattern reflects a long-standing Bucks County family business known for responsive communication, consistent performance, and trusted, ongoing service.

Customer Experience

Affordable

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 the feedback, with customers repeatedly citing competitive, fair, and value-driven pricing for tree and lawn work. They report quotes that are often very reasonable and, in many cases, the most affordable option among multiple bids, even for large jobs that require cranes, bucket trucks, and stump grinders. This value is delivered by an experienced, insured, family-run team with over 30 years in business and access to state-of-the-art equipment, enabling efficient large-tree removals, precise trimming, and thorough cleanup in Feasterville-Trevose and Bucks County. Quick estimates and reliable scheduling further support affordability by reducing delays and surprises.

Emergency and Storm

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.

Rapid response is a defining capability for this Bucks County-based team serving Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania. Customers frequently report quick replies to inquiries and rapid scheduling for estimates, often moving from inquiry to on-site assessment and work within days or the same week. The crew’s use of cranes and bucket trucks enables swift mobilization for large removals, near-structure jobs, and high-priority pruning, with projects moving quickly from quote to execution. While the pattern is broadly positive, a minority note scheduling challenges or cancellations, suggesting availability can vary with demand and logistics.