The Roanoke Valley is ringed by forested ridges, and many neighborhoods were built among mature hardwoods. That is a big part of what makes the area beautiful, and it is also why tree work here is a regular part of owning a home. Big oaks, tulip poplars and maples lean over roofs, driveways and power lines; storms bring limbs down; and older trees decline. This site helps you understand your options and connects you with a local crew for the work.
Services
Tree removal
Controlled takedowns of dead, dying, hazardous or unwanted trees, including tight spaces near structures.
Emergency & storm
Trees on roofs, cars, fences and driveways after wind, ice or snow.
Trimming & pruning
Deadwood removal, clearance pruning and structural pruning for healthier trees.
Stump grinding
Grinding stumps below grade so you can replant, seed or build.
Land & lot clearing
Selective or full clearing for building sites, views, fence lines and pasture.
Risk assessment
An evaluation of whether a tree is a hazard, and what can be done short of removal.
Why tree work in the Roanoke Valley needs care
Much of the valley is hilly. Backyards drop off steeply, driveways are narrow, and lots in older neighborhoods are tight, which often means a tree cannot simply be felled in one piece. It has to be climbed or reached with a lift and lowered in sections with ropes, or picked with a crane. Doing that safely takes the right equipment and experience, and it is the main reason one tree can cost far more than another of similar size.
Weather is the other factor. Western Virginia gets thunderstorms, occasional ice and heavy wet snow, and remnants of tropical systems. Ice adds enormous weight to branches, and saturated soils make shallow-rooted trees more likely to tip. Trees with existing defects such as cracks, decay, or co-dominant stems with weak unions are the ones most likely to fail. Spotting and dealing with those defects before a storm is far cheaper than cleaning up after one.
Do you need a permit?
For a tree entirely on private property in the City of Roanoke, the city code's tree permit section (Sec. 33-2) applies to trees in public streets, rights-of-way and other city property, not to private yards. Two exceptions catch people: trees in the strip between sidewalk and street, which may be city property, and trees that were required as part of an approved development plan. Salem, Vinton, Roanoke County and Botetourt County have their own codes; check before work starts. See our FAQ.
Choosing a tree service
- Insurance. Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage, and check it is current. If a worker is hurt or your house is damaged, this is what protects you.
- A written scope. Does the price include hauling wood and brush, raking, and grinding the stump? Who handles the city strip or utility lines?
- Qualifications. ISA Certified Arborists are trained in tree biology and risk assessment. Ask whether one will look at your tree.
- Good pruning practice. Avoid anyone proposing to "top" a tree, or using climbing spikes on a tree that is staying.
- Utility lines. Work near energized lines is specialized and often needs the utility involved.
Areas served
Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, Cave Spring, Hollins and Botetourt County.
For budgeting, read our tree removal cost guide, then call [PHONE] for an on-site estimate.