Frequently asked questions

Yes. Roots Tree Service is fully licensed and insured. That protects you, your property, and our crew on every job — always ask any tree company for proof of insurance before they start work.

We do. Every estimate is free and comes with no obligation. We'll come to your property, assess the work, and give you a clear written price before anything begins.

We're based in Kalamazoo and serve Southwest Michigan, including Portage, Battle Creek, Mattawan, Plainwell, Oshtemo, and the surrounding communities.

We're a family-owned business that has proudly served Southwest Michigan since 1997 — more than 25 years of safe, professional tree care.

Yes. We work with homeowners, businesses, property managers, and HOAs throughout the region, on jobs of every size.

Yes. When a tree falls or becomes dangerous, we offer 24/7 emergency service. Call us at 269-383-7895 any time, day or night.

Always. A complete cleanup is included on every job. We haul or chip the debris and leave your property tidy — often cleaner than we found it.

Just call us at 269-383-7895 or request a free estimate through our contact form. We'll schedule a visit and give you an honest, no-pressure quote.

Big tree or small, Roots handles it all. From a massive oak to a tree wedged tight against your house, we have the equipment and experience to take it down safely and completely.

We can. Many customers add stump grinding to a removal so we take care of it in the same visit — but if you'd rather leave the stump for now, that's fine, and you can always call us back to grind it later.

That's up to you. We can cut and stack the wood for firewood, leave the brush for a pile, or haul every piece away for a completely clean slate.

Most mature shade trees benefit from trimming every 3–5 years, while younger trees do well with lighter, more frequent shaping. Dead or hazardous branches should come off any time. We'll recommend a schedule that fits your specific trees.

Not when it's done right. We trim to the natural form of the tree and make proper cuts — never topping or hacking — so your tree stays healthy. Most homeowners who trim regularly spend less money and have healthier, safer trees.

It depends on the species and the goal. Many trees are best pruned while dormant, but we time our cuts to each tree's natural growth cycle, and hazardous limbs can be removed safely any time.

Grinding takes the stump down 6–12 inches below ground level — fast, affordable, and effective — leaving the roots to decompose naturally; the area can be replanted or sodded over. Full removal excavates the entire stump and root ball for a complete clean slate, which is required for foundation work or major landscaping. It's more involved but the most thorough option.

Absolutely. We grind old, rotting stumps just as easily as fresh ones — including ones that are attracting pests or sprouting new growth.

Often, yes. We handle multiple stumps in a single visit and can usually give you a better rate for bundling them together.

Yes — we do selective clearing all the time. We'll mark out exactly what to remove and what to protect before we start, whether it's a fence line, a building footprint, or an overgrown back acre.

We do. Foundations, driveways, and groundwork need a completely clear slate, so we provide full stump and root removal so your builder has a clean site to work from.

We chip or haul away everything — trees, brush, fallen timber, and old slash piles — so no piles are left behind and your property looks the way it should.

Don't try to remove the tree yourself — storm-damaged trees are under unpredictable tension and can move suddenly. Don't climb on your roof to assess damage while the tree is still there (that's our job), don't cut limbs you can't see fully, and don't assume a tree is stable just because it stopped moving. And don't wait too long to call — the longer a tree sits on your roof or fence, the more secondary damage occurs.

We respond as fast as we possibly can and prioritize hazardous situations across Southwest Michigan. Call us directly at 269-383-7895 and we'll let you know our timing.

Many homeowner policies cover tree damage to structures. Take photos from a safe distance before any work begins — we can also document the damage and our work to help support your claim.