Greater Pitt Tree Service in Pittsburgh

Greater Pitt Tree Service

(412) 884-8733 www.greaterpitttreeservicepa.com

2828 Saw Mill Run Blvd, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15227

Equipment and Capabilities: Crane, Stump Grinder

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

Tree Services: Works Near Structures, Large Trees, Stump Removal, Cabling Bracing, Tree Assessments, Dead Tree Experience, Lot Clearing

Specialty Expertise: Fruit Tree Specialist

Credentials and Trust: ISA Certified, Insured

Customer Experience: Free Estimates, Affordable

Free Estimates (same day estimates) & Fully Insured/Workers Compensation! Tree & Stump Removal, Stump Grinding, Trimming, Pruning, Shaping, Lot Clearing, Bucket & Crane Service! TCIA (Voice of Tree Care)! Open 24 hours for emergency service. We also now have Plant and Tree Healthcare! We staff an ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST to come out and see what applications we can provide to keep your trees and plants healthy. We are ACCREDITED with am A+ rating with the BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU.

4.7 from 196 reviews

5 stars
178
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Pros

  • Greater Pitt Tree Service consistently delivers prompt, professional service.
  • They remove trees quickly and safely, with meticulous clean-up.
  • The crew is skilled, courteous, and works efficiently even in challenging conditions.
  • Their estimates are fair and prices are reasonable.
  • Arborists provide clear explanations and thoughtful trimming/pruning recommendations.
  • They protect property and leave yards spotless, often leaving no sign of work.
  • The office team, including Stephanie, is friendly, responsive, and helpful.
  • They communicate well and coordinate scheduling smoothly.
  • They handle difficult jobs near power lines and in tight spaces with care.
  • They exceed expectations and have many repeat customers and strong recommendations.

Cons

Based on reviews representing only 8% of total ratings

  • One reviewer stated that Greater Pitt Tree Service is “the worst tree service I’ve ever seen” and urged others to stay away.
  • One reviewer described the owner as rude and entitled and advised to stay away.
  • One reviewer alleged the company is a scammer who pressures homeowners to file insurance claims and overcharges.

Review Overview

Greater Pitt Tree Service is best suited for Pittsburgh-area homeowners facing high-stakes, technically demanding tree work. This outfit shines when properties require careful maneuvering around power lines, fences, and adjacent structures, or when access is awkward, such as steep hillsides, tight backyards, or urban streets. They are equally adept in emergency situations where a wind-driven risk must be mitigated quickly, think large branches threatening roofs or a downed trunk that could unleash further damage. For multi-tree removals, deep pruning, or a plan that preserves valuable trees while removing hazardous specimens, GPTS justifies a mid-to-high budget with the confidence of a crew that brings substantial equipment, skilled arborists, and a calm, methodical approach to a potentially chaotic job. In short, property types with complex geometry, urgent risk, and a willingness to invest in safety will find GPTS indispensable.

Safety and cleanup standards set the tone for every job. The company consistently operates with robust insurance coverage, and arborists direct critical decisions on-site to keep fall zones clear and people protected. Equipment choices, heavy lift cranes, climbers, and trucks designed for difficult access, allow work that would put smaller outfits to shame, especially when the tree is near power lines or a home. Cleanup is not an afterthought; debris and dust disappear with the same efficiency that the trees do. Driveways, sidewalks, and yards are swept, branches are hauled away, and the street is left pristine. This is not merely cosmetic, clean sites reduce liability and prevent damage to neighboring properties. In tree work, where a single misstep can spawn a cascade of downstream problems, GPTS’s demonstrated commitment to safety and thorough cleanup stands as a decisive advantage.

The service process is unmistakably professional and dependable. A typical engagement runs through a knowledgeable arborist who explains health concerns and tradeoffs, followed by a detailed estimate and a clear work plan. Scheduling is prompt, communications are steady, and the owner’s presence on-site reinforces accountability. The office backbone, Stephanie coordinating logistics and the owner-Carlos ensuring alignment, creates a disciplined, low-stress experience for clients navigating difficult decisions. While a small minority reports pricing friction or communication hiccups, the norm is a well-structured, transparent sequence from first contact to job completion, with written estimates and COIs provided in advance. The takeaway: demand a precise scope, a fixed price, and a documented safety plan before any work starts.

Technically, GPTS handles the impossible with composure. The company has demonstrated capacity to remove or prune towering trees in confined spaces, close to houses, and even in yards rendered nearly inaccessible by neighboring properties or busy streets. Arborists assess health, propose conservative pruning to sustain vitality, and, when necessary, execute strategic removals that preserve what can be saved. The crews perform complex cuts around obstacles, protect landscaping, and complete projects in tight timeframes, often delivering multi-tree removals and stump grinding in a single day. In urban environments, this blend of technical prowess and logistical planning is rare; many competitors cannot approach the same level of precision without creating collateral damage. The net result is reassurance that large, problematic trees, whether a leaning specimen or a full hillside removal, can be tackled safely and efficiently.

Value in this field derives from capability, reliability, and risk management. Most reviews portray GPTS as fairly priced for the scope and quality of work, with the understanding that premium equipment and expert supervision command commensurate costs. The company’s willingness to partner with customers on cost, philanthropic gestures noted in stories, discounts offered in others, appears in the broader pattern of fair pricing anchored by strong safety and outcomes. For homeowners seeking predictable results, a straightforward contract, and transparent expectations, GPTS delivers solid value. Those chasing the absolute lowest price should proceed with caution; the risk of subpar cleanup, inadequate protection, or a rushed job grows with cheaper alternatives. A practical approach is to obtain a written estimate that details methods, equipment, and contingency plans for weather, ensuring a genuine apples-to-apples comparison.

In the end, this is a decision for those facing urgent, technically complex, or highly visible tree work in Pittsburgh. Greater Pitt Tree Service stands out for large-tree removals, near-structure work, and operations where access challenges demand skilled climbers, cranes, and a well-coordinated crew. Prospective clients should verify the COI, confirm an on-site arborist, and insist on a detailed scope with explicit expectations for cleanup and site protection. Expect a professional, courteous team led by engaged owners, with a system that prioritizes safety, clear communication, and accountability from start to finish. For property managers, homeowners with high-value trees, or anyone confronted with a dangerous or difficult landscape where mistakes carry real consequences, GPTS is reliably the top contender in Pittsburgh’s tree service market.

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.

Large-crane capability is a core part of their service, demonstrated by experiences removing tall, high-risk trees in tight spaces. In one Pittsburgh-area job, no vehicle access to a backyard required staging the crane on a neighbor’s empty lot to lift and remove a 60-foot evergreen. In another case, the crane enabled lifting limbs up and over a house, guided by an experienced crane operator to protect the home. These scenarios show a well-equipped crane operation that handles urban, space-constrained removals safely and efficiently.

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, typically bundled with tree removals to finish the job cleanly. Feedback consistently notes that stumps are ground down and the site is cleaned thoroughly, often leaving the area looking as if no work was done. Crews handle stump work in urban Pittsburgh settings, coordinating around homes, power lines, and tight spaces to minimize disruption. When combined with larger removals, stump grinding is completed efficiently in the same visit, contributing to fast, reliable service.

Emergency and Storm

Storm Cleanup

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

Open 24 hours for emergency storm cleanup, with rapid response when wind-damaged trees threaten homes or power lines. In the Pittsburgh area, clients repeatedly note quick on-site assessments and swift removals of hazardous trees, often the same day, to prevent further damage and restore safety. The team employs bucket and crane service to reach tall, precarious branches near structures and utilities, handling near-structure work with care and precision. Debris removal is thorough—stumps ground, branches hauled away, and yards and streets left clean and safe. Safety and professionalism are prioritized in urban settings, with coordinated work around power lines and neighboring properties, and the crew includes ISA-certified arborists who are fully insured to handle storm-related challenges.

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 response is available 24/7, enabling rapid mobilization when a dangerous tree situation threatens your home. In practice, customers report swift on-site availability—even on Sundays—often with same-day assessments and immediate work to remove hazardous limbs or trees near houses and power lines. Crews deploy crane and bucket services to reach tall, difficult limbs in urban Pittsburgh settings, delivering safe, precise work close to structures and utilities. Cleanup is consistently thorough, with debris removed and properties returned to near-original condition, leaving homeowners with peace of mind during storms in the Pittsburgh area (including neighborhoods like Mt. Washington, Lawrenceville, and South Hills).

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 show up repeatedly in feedback, with crews arriving quickly to assess hazards and begin work. Customers consistently report same-day on-site assessments and quotes, followed by rapid scheduling and swift hazard removal. Even in emergencies like storms or trees leaning toward structures or power lines, the team is described as prompt, professional, and efficient, with cleanup done quickly and thoroughly. The office and arborist communications are praised for speed and clarity, helping move jobs along without delays. Open 24 hours for emergency service and free, same-day estimates noted in the service listing align with the observed pattern of urgent, rapid responses in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.

Tree Services

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.

Outcomes near structures are a clear strength, with crews consistently removing and pruning trees that overhang roofs, fences, driveways, and even power lines using careful rigging. They handle tall, precarious removals in urban settings—often over yards and near houses—by deploying bucket and crane services to reach limbs that ground access cannot safely reach. An arborist-led approach guides decisions to trim or remove with the goal of protecting structures while preserving tree health, avoiding unnecessary damage. Work sites are left immaculate, with thorough cleanups that leave property and surrounding areas looking untouched. When challenges arise—such as trees leaning toward homes, wires, or tight spaces—the team coordinates quickly, maintains safety, and completes complex jobs in a single day or with minimal disruption. Emergency near-structure scenarios are handled with rapid response and professional oversight to minimize risk to people and property.

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.

Handling towering trees is a core capability, with crews regularly removing specimens up to about 80 feet tall and handling multiple large removals in a single visit. They deploy bucket and crane services to access tight urban spaces and to maneuver around structures, even using a neighbor’s lot for crane placement when access is limited. Notable examples include removing a 40- to 50-foot tree threatening a house, trimming and removing a 60-foot evergreen on a hillside with no vehicle access, and tackling two 80-foot pines near a street and power lines. A 75-foot tree that fell on a house was safely removed the next day, with careful planning, on-site safety, and thorough cleanup.

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 is a core capability, with frequent notes that stumps are ground down and roots removed, often as part of broader tree-removal projects. The work is paired with thorough cleanup, and customers frequently say their yards look as if the trees were never there after stump grinding. They handle stump tasks in challenging locations, including sites near structures or utilities, with careful, professional execution. Pricing for stump-related work is described as fair, and clients praise the timely, reliable service and clear communication throughout the process.

Cabling Bracing

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 part of Greater Pitt Tree Service's offerings, with customers noting that cabling is installed during pruning or removal to stabilize large limbs and protect structures. An ISA-certified arborist is involved on-site to evaluate tree health and design bracing strategies that support longevity as well as safety. In challenging Pittsburgh-area sites—near roofs, power lines, and in tight urban spaces—the team coordinates carefully and can deploy cranes to reach high limbs before installing cables. There are explicit instances of cabling performed within hours, alongside pruning and stump work, demonstrating quick, multi-task execution. Overall, feedback indicates that cabling/bracing is delivered with professionalism, safety, and a focus on preserving trees while protecting property in the Pittsburgh region.

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 is a core capability, delivered by an ISA Certified Arborist on staff who conducts health evaluations and can outline a health-based care plan for each property. The feedback patterns show the arborist clearly explains tree health status and provides pruning or thinning strategies aimed at maintaining vigor rather than just removing; for example, guidance on trimming to avoid overgrowth on two trees. Assessments routinely address hazards in urban settings—overhanging roofs, proximity to power lines, and difficult access—and guide decisions from thinning and cabling to crane-assisted removals. Clients highlight timely responses, transparent communication, and practical, fairly priced recommendations. In Pittsburgh, Greater Pitt Tree Service combines health-focused services with emergency readiness and ongoing Plant and Tree Healthcare, supporting both immediate hazard mitigation and long-term tree vitality in the local landscape.

Dead Tree Experience

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

Dead-tree removals are a core capability, with on-site assessments and rapid scheduling to mitigate risk when a dead or dying tree threatens a home or nearby utilities. An ISA-certified arborist typically evaluates tree health and danger, guiding whether pruning or full removal is the best course to protect property and future growth. The crew handles tall, precarious dead trees—often around 40 to 50 feet tall or leaning toward structures—using cranes or specialized equipment to reach and safely lower limbs and trunks. Stump grinding and thorough cleanup are standard, leaving the yard and surrounding areas clean with minimal debris remaining. Emergency service is available 24/7 for dangerous dead trees and storm-related scenarios.

Lot Clearing

Full-scale land clearing for new construction, overgrown acreage, or development prep. Trees, brush, and stumps - all of it gone.

Lot clearing and land preparation are a clear strength, with customers reporting removal of large trees, stump grinding, and thorough site cleanup that leaves the land ready for reuse. They handle trees near structures and power lines with careful planning and crane support, prioritizing safety and minimizing risk to the property. In tight urban settings, they’ve even used a neighbor’s lot to position a crane for heavy limb removal, completing complex jobs in a single day. Cleanup is repeatedly praised—yards are swept, debris is removed, and the site often looks as if no work had occurred. They can clear dense vegetation as well, including bamboo, turning overgrown lots into usable space in short order.

Specialty Expertise

Fruit Tree Specialist

Experienced with the pruning, shaping, and care of fruit-bearing trees. The right cuts at the right time keep trees productive and healthy season after season.

An ISA-certified arborist is available to visit Pittsburgh-area properties to assess the health of fruit-bearing trees and propose care plans. Customer feedback shows they tailor pruning strategies for fruit trees, advising on trims that shape growth and prevent excessive sprouting rather than heavy-handed cuts. They have direct experience with fruit trees, including pruning an apple tree in under four hours with thorough cleanup. The team also performs thinning and health evaluations to support fruit production and long-term vigor while keeping yards tidy and safe in urban Pittsburgh settings.

Credentials and Trust

ISA Certified

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 on staff provides on-site health assessments and care plans aimed at keeping trees healthy, a capability highlighted in their service description for Pittsburgh. Customers frequently note that the arborist explains tree health, lays out treatment options, and answers questions clearly before work begins. They also report arborists offering pruning and thinning strategies to preserve vitality rather than simply “whacking back,” such as guidance to avoid sprouting twigs after trimming. For complex Pittsburgh projects, the arborist’s guidance helps plan safe, efficient work around power lines, tight spaces, and limited access, often coordinating with cranes and other equipment. Overall, these patterns show that ISA-certified expertise is central to Greater Pitt Tree Service’s approach in Pittsburgh, contributing to high customer trust, clear communication, and careful, safety-focused tree care.

Insured

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

Fully insured with workers’ compensation, they provide a Certificate of Insurance as part of their planning process, which customers note up front. Feedback consistently highlights safe, professional practices when working near homes, with crane use and meticulous cleanup that protect structures, yards, and neighboring properties. The insured capability underpins reliable urgent response—open 24 hours for emergencies and frequent same-day assessments—without compromising safety. Reviewers describe careful coordination with neighbors and utilities for complex jobs near power lines, delivering precise work and leaving sites clean. The combination of insurance coverage, safety-focused crews, and formal accreditations (BBB A+ rating and ISA-certified arborist) reinforces trust in their risk management and capabilities in the Pittsburgh area.

Customer Experience

Free Estimates

No charge for coming out to assess the job and give you a price. Know what you're getting into before committing.

Free estimates (including same-day quotes) are a core capability for Greater Pitt Tree Service in Pittsburgh, making it quick and straightforward to understand the scope and cost of tree work. An ISA-certified arborist often accompanies the estimate, providing a health assessment of trees and practical treatment or removal recommendations. Customer feedback patterns show rapid on-site assessments and prompt delivery of the written estimate, sometimes the same day. The estimates are described as clear and fair, with transparent pricing and little to no sales pressure, and pricing is frequently noted as reasonable or affordable. This combination of quick, no-pressure free estimates and professional, insured service helps build trust with Pittsburgh-area homeowners seeking timely tree care.

Affordable

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

Pricing is consistently described as fair and affordable, with customers noting strong value for the breadth of services offered and competitive bids from the company. They appreciate quick, often same-day estimates and a transparent process with explanations that help you understand what you’re paying for and no pressure to upsell. Capabilities cover a broad scope—from tree and stump removal and grinding to trimming, pruning, shaping, lot clearing, as well as bucket and crane work and 24-hour emergency storm cleanup, all supported by an ISA-certified arborist and full insurance. The feedback patterns highlight prompt responses, professional crews, meticulous cleanup, and careful work around structures, power lines, and urban settings, reinforcing a reliable, affordable option in the Pittsburgh area. Some customers acknowledge that they aren’t always the cheapest, but distinctly emphasize the value, safety, and quality that justify the investment.