Ward’s Tree Service in Harrisonburg

Ward’s Tree Service

(540) 820-8733 www.wardstreeservice.com

20 Martz Rd, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802

Equipment and Capabilities: Crane, Stump Grinder

Emergency and Storm: Storm Cleanup, 24 Hour Emergency Response

Tree Services: Works Near Structures, Large Trees, Tree Planting, Lot Clearing

Credentials and Trust: Long Established, Family Owned, Insured, Licensed

Customer Experience: Free Estimates, Affordable

We are a professional Tree Service with over 30 years of experience in the heart of Shenandoah Valley Harrisonburg Virginia. We offer commercial and residential tree service. We handle tree removal, pruning (cleaning and thinning of the tree canopy), trimming problem limbs, dead wooding, storm damage (also emergency work), lot clearing, and stump grinding. For dangerous and difficult tree removal we offer a crane service. For tight and small places we offer a tracked lift system to avoid climbing dangerous trees. Ward’s Tree Service can also plant a replacement tree upon request. We are 100% licensed and insured corporation, carrying Workmen’s Comp on our employees. We have firewood for delivery all year round.

4.9 from 61 reviews

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Pros

  • Ward's Tree Service is amazing.
  • They show up on time and get straight to work.
  • They are careful, efficient, and complete the job in a timely manner.
  • They clean up the area completely and leave the yard debris-free.
  • Their pricing is reasonable.
  • They are professional and knowledgeable.
  • They take precautions to minimize lawn damage.
  • They provide outstanding customer service and are highly recommended.
  • They are reliable, responsive, and trustworthy.
  • They are friendly, courteous, and easy to communicate with.

Cons

Based on reviews representing only 3% of total ratings

  • Ward's Tree Service was presumptuous in bringing their dog onto the property without permission.
  • The reviewer’s dogs were agitated by a loose dog and constrained by an underground fence.

Review Overview

Ward’s Tree Service in Harrisonburg is best suited for homeowners facing sizable, safety‑driven tree work where reliability, careful property protection, and solid value are non‑negotiable. The company excels for single‑family properties with multiple, mature trees that require removal, significant trimming, stump grinding, or deadwood work near structures. It also serves clients who value prompt estimates, predictable scheduling, and a trusted, family‑owned crew over bargain‑basement pricing. For urgent hazard mitigation, near‑house removals, or projects with tight timelines, Ward’s demonstrates the kind of responsiveness that makes them the go‑to option in this market. In short: if the job is complex, near buildings, or involves extensive cleanup, Ward’s is the right match; if the budget is razor‑thin, there may be better options, but not many that match the overall package.

Safety and cleanup standards drive Ward’s reputation far more than marketing promises. Reviewers repeatedly emphasize current equipment, disciplined rigging, and a careful approach to avoid lawn damage and collateral injury. The crew has a track record of performing hazardous removals, such as large oaks growing close to the house, with focus on stability, controlled lowering, and minimal impact to surrounding vegetation and structures. A recurring theme is responsible stewardship of the worksite: limbs are brought down methodically, debris is collected promptly, and the area is left in a condition safer than before the job. The company is described as licensed and insured, a non‑negotiable baseline when handling heavy limbs, near‑house removals, or stump grinding in tight spaces.

From the first contact through project completion, Ward’s delivers work that feels meticulously planned and executed. Several customers cite precise, thoughtful planning and “great advice” on what to cut, remove, or prune, followed by execution that matches the plan. The company handles a broad spectrum of tasks, from felling a dozen trees to thinning canopies and pruning shrubs, yet maintains a consistent standard: efficiency without rushing, attention to site safety, and a clear focus on protecting the yard and structures. Price competitiveness is a common positive note, with many reviews highlighting fair or even better‑than‑expected quotes for substantial work. The team’s ability to translate a site assessment into practical options, along with dependable follow‑through, sets them apart when a project requires decisive, knowledgeable direction.

Cleanup and site restoration are where Ward’s frequently outshines competitors. Multiple reviews describe yards and landscapes left “clean and free of debris,” with stumps ground and surfaces raked or leveled to a near‑prework condition. One homeowner notes that protective shielding was placed on the lawn to prevent damage during heavy limb drops, a tangible example of the extra care that accompanies larger jobs. Even in hot, challenging conditions, the crew’s cleanup remains a standout feature. This level of finish matters for property owners who plan to resettle the area immediately after work or need to maintain play spaces and garden beds with minimal disruption.

Value, reliability, and client experience form the backbone of Ward’s appeal. Free estimates are a recurring entitlement, with pricing described as reasonable and often favorable relative to the scope of work. The same stories reinforce trust: on‑time arrivals, up‑to‑date equipment, and crews that go “above and beyond” to satisfy the customer. Repeat clients reflect sustained confidence, citing long‑term relationships built on dependable performance, transparent communication, and respectful handling of the property. The personnel, Anthony, Gary, and the crew, are consistently portrayed as honest, professional, and approachable, providing not only a service but a sense of partnership with homeowners over multiple projects spanning years.

Candid realities emerge alongside the praise. A single reviewer noted a misstep involving a dog on the property without prior permission, a reminder that even the best teams can stumble on a minor policy issue. The lesson is straightforward: establish access expectations and site rules in advance, especially with pets or sensitive zones. Beyond that caveat, Ward’s consistently earns praise for safety, quality, and an impeccable cleanup record, supported by a portfolio of successful hazard removals, large tree removals near structures, and ongoing shrub and pruning work. For homeowners weighing risk versus reward, the decision is clear: Ward’s is the pick for serious tree work where safety, tidy post‑job conditions, and reliable scheduling matter most.

Final guidance: Ward’s Tree Service is a strong, practical match for property owners who manage mature landscapes, face complex or hazardous removals, or require meticulous cleanup and lawn protection. It suits clients who prioritize safety standards, professional staffing, and a transparent, courteous process from estimate to completion. If the job involves proximity to buildings, critical roof lines, or soil and lawn preservation during heavy limb work, Ward’s delivers with confidence, backed by a record of timely responses, fair pricing, and work that holds up under close scrutiny. For those seeking a locally trusted, family‑run operation that treats the yard with care and delivers a clean, complete finish, Ward’s Tree Service should be the default option in Harrisonburg.

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-assisted removals let Ward’s Tree Service tackle dangerous and difficult removals, including large trees near structures, without requiring climbers. Feedback patterns show careful, efficient work and thorough site cleanup, with strong protection of lawns and property. One client specifically noted the safe, precise removal of a very large oak that was threatening a house, illustrating the crane capability in tight spaces. In Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley, they pair crane work with a tracked lift system to access restricted areas and minimize damage while delivering on-time, professional service.

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 part of their service when removing trees, with customers noting that stumps are ground down and the job includes removing the remaining debris. The feedback repeatedly praises thorough cleanup—yards are left cleaned, raked, and free of debris after grinding. Clients describe the crews as efficient, careful, and safety-minded, arriving on time and working carefully around lawns and structures to minimize damage. This pattern demonstrates a dependable stump-grinding capability in Harrisonburg, backed by extensive experience, professional conduct, and a focus on leaving the property neatly finished.

Emergency and Storm

Storm Cleanup

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

Storm cleanup is handled with prompt response, efficient work, and meticulous debris removal, with many customers noting on-time arrivals and quick, complete cleanups after the storm or storm-related pruning. For dangerous or large removals, they deploy a crane, and for tight or tight-access areas a tracked lift is used to reach limbs without climbing, helping protect structures and landscaping. They take extra care to protect lawns and surrounding property, including placing shielding to prevent damage from heavy limbs during cleanup. Crews are described as careful, professional, and safety-conscious, delivering tidy work sites and debris-free yards even in challenging conditions. Serving Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley, Ward’s Tree Service offers emergency storm damage response with flexible options and free estimates, backed by decades of local experience.

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 a consistent strength, with patterns showing rapid attention to urgent tree issues and storm-related damage. Customers note that crews arrive on time, head straight to work, and complete removals and cleanup efficiently and carefully. They frequently praise thorough debris removal and property protection, including reports of extra measures to shield lawns from heavy limbs and a spotless final cleanup. Based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Ward’s Tree Service is described as reliable, professional, and responsive in emergencies, delivering quick follow-up, clear communication, and work that minimizes disruption to the property.

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.

Near-structure work is handled with careful planning and precision, prioritizing the safety of the building and surrounding landscape during removals and pruning. Clients note extra precautions to protect lawns and foundations, including shielding the yard to keep turf intact while heavy limbs are dropped. They have successfully removed and felled large trees that were growing too close to houses, even near roofs, without causing damage to the structure. Afterward, cleanup is thorough—debris is removed and the area around buildings is left clean and safe.

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.

For large-tree work, Ward’s Tree Service leverages crane support for dangerous or difficult removals and a tracked lift system to reach tight spaces without climbing. Customers consistently note safe, careful handling of very large trees, including removing a very large oak that grew close to a house and felling about a dozen trees in a single job. They emphasize efficient performance and thorough cleanup, with attention to protecting lawns and surrounding structures during large removals. The team’s long-running, family-owned operation in Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley brings more than 30 years of experience to large-tree planning, execution, and follow-up, including stump grinding and, when requested, replacement planting. Their service model is built on reliability, clear communication, and work that minimizes disruption to the property.

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.

Replacement tree planting is offered upon request, backed by over 30 years of experience serving the Harrisonburg area in the Shenandoah Valley. Customer feedback patterns indicate they approach planting with the same care, professionalism, and focus on property protection they show in removals and pruning—ensuring on-site placement and proper care. They can work in tight spaces and near structures using a crane or tracked lift, a capability that supports placing new trees in challenging locations around homes and commercial sites in Harrisonburg. As a family-owned, insured operation with free estimates and responsive communication, they can assist with tree selection and precise placement to fit your landscape needs. Overall, planting is integrated into their trusted service offering, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and minimal disruption to your property.

Lot Clearing

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

Lot clearing in Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley is performed with a safety-first approach and thorough debris removal. Customers report that once clearing is finished, the yard is completely cleaned—area is raked and all debris removed. They routinely clear away downed trees and large bushes and grind stumps as part of the lot-clearing process, leaving usable space. Work is done with care for lawns and landscaping, with protective shielding used to prevent lawn damage from heavy limbs. For challenging sites, Ward’s can bring in a crane for dangerous removals and a tracked lift for tight spaces near structures. Serving Harrisonburg, Virginia, Ward’s Tree Service provides lot-clearing capabilities to residential and commercial clients in the Shenandoah Valley.

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 of experience in the Shenandoah Valley, Ward’s Tree Service is a long-established, family-owned operation that is fully licensed and insured. Customer feedback consistently notes punctual crews, careful work around yards and structures, safety-conscious practices, and thorough cleanup after removals, pruning, or stump grinding. They handle a wide range of scenarios, including storm damage and emergency work, large-tree removals with crane services, pruning and thinning, stump grinding, and lot clearing, using a tracked lift for tight spaces to avoid climbing. From Harrisonburg to surrounding areas, clients appreciate free estimates, reasonable pricing, and a professional, respectful approach to both residential and commercial tree care.

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.

A family-owned operation shines through in Ward’s Tree Service’s approach to tree care in Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley. Customers consistently describe the team as courteous, careful, and easy to work with, with many noting they feel treated like family. Repeated praise for punctuality, thorough cleanup, and fair pricing points to a dependable, community-rooted business. Many clients return for multiple jobs over the years, reflecting enduring trust and a hands-on, relationship-focused commitment from a local family company.

Insured

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

Licensed and insured, Ward’s Tree Service carries workers’ compensation for its crew, underpinning a safety-first approach to tree work in Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley. Customers consistently describe careful, professional crews who protect lawns and structures, perform thorough cleanup, and complete work efficiently—clear evidence of risk-aware practices enabled by insurance and compliance. For near-structure removals or storm-damage jobs, clients feel confident in the team’s ability to handle complex tasks safely, knowing workers are covered and procedures are in place. Reviews also note free estimates and fair pricing, reinforcing trust in insured, licensed service for both residential and commercial needs in Harrisonburg.

Licensed

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

Licensed and insured operations underpin Ward’s Tree Service’s work in Harrisonburg and the surrounding Shenandoah Valley, with customers noting that the team carries Workmen’s Comp coverage and meets professional licensing standards. They deploy specialized capabilities such as crane support for dangerous or difficult removals and a tracked lift for tight spaces, and feedback highlights careful work near structures and thorough property protection. Free estimates are commonly provided and pricing is described as reasonable or competitive, with clients praising punctuality, safety, and clean, complete cleanup. The consistently positive sentiment about reliability, years of experience (over 30), and a family-owned approach reinforces that their licensed status is matched by trusted, customer-focused service across both residential and commercial projects.

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 are regularly highlighted in feedback, with fast responses and on-site assessments in Harrisonburg and the surrounding Shenandoah Valley. Customers describe getting a reasonable, competitive quote after a site visit and discussion of multiple options, with the estimate often noted as spot on or very fair for the scope. The process is portrayed as professional and transparent, with prompt follow-up and no high-pressure sales, helping plan work from tree removals to crane or stump-grinding projects. Across residential and commercial jobs in Harrisonburg and nearby areas, the free-estimate capability sets a reliable, start-to-finish experience.

Affordable

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

Affordability comes through a full menu of tree-care services in Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley, from routine pruning and trimming to complete removals, stump grinding, and lot clearing for both homes and businesses. Clients note competitive pricing, fair quotes, and free estimates, delivering strong value across projects of varying scope. They also emphasize careful, efficient work with thorough cleanup and protection of lawns and landscaping, often using shielding to keep yards tidy. Specialty equipment adds affordability for difficult jobs: crane service for dangerous removals and a tracked lift for tight spaces where climbing isn’t safe. As a family-owned, insured and licensed operation, Ward’s Tree Service provides reliable, on-time service in Harrisonburg with a focus on safety, respect for property, and value.