Emergency Tree Service Cost in MA (2026)

Emergency tree removal in Massachusetts typically costs $500 to $3,000+, depending on the size of the tree, what it fell on, and the complexity of the removal. McDonald Tree Service provides 24/7 emergency response across 18 towns in Middlesex County and the Merrimack Valley — we are typically on-site within 1 hour of your call.

How Much Does Emergency Tree Removal Cost?

Emergency tree work costs 25 to 50 percent more than a scheduled removal. Here is why: we mobilize a crew after hours, bring specialized equipment on short notice, and often work in hazardous conditions — downed power lines, damaged structures, blocked roads. The urgency and risk are higher, and the pricing reflects that.

Emergency Tree Removal Pricing (2026)

• Small tree on driveway or yard: $500 – $800
• Medium tree on fence, shed, or car: $800 – $1,500
• Large tree on house or structure: $1,500 – $3,000+
• Tree blocking road or emergency access: $500 – $1,200
• Limb removal (large hanging branch): $300 – $600
• Crane-assisted emergency removal: $2,500 – $5,000+

We do not charge extra for nights, weekends, or holidays. If you call (978) 375-2272 at 2 AM during a nor’easter, you get the same crew and the same quality of work as a Tuesday morning job.

What Qualifies as a Tree Emergency?

Not every downed tree is an emergency. Here is how we categorize calls:

Immediate Emergency (Same-Day Response)

• Tree on a house, garage, or occupied structure
• Tree on a vehicle with someone inside
• Tree blocking the only road access to a property
• Tree on or near downed power lines (call Eversource first: 1-800-592-2000)
• Tree actively leaning and about to fall on a structure

Urgent (24–48 Hour Response)

• Tree fell in the yard but is not threatening structures
• Large hanging branches that could fall anytime
• Storm-damaged tree that is still standing but compromised
• Tree fell on a fence, shed, or outbuilding

What to Do When a Tree Falls

1. Stay away from the tree. Downed trees can shift without warning. Branches under tension can spring loose with deadly force.
2. If power lines are involved, call Eversource at 1-800-592-2000. Do not touch the tree, the lines, or anything in contact with them. Assume all downed wires are live.
3. Call your insurance company. Most homeowner policies cover storm damage removal. Document everything with photos before cleanup begins.
4. Call McDonald Tree Service at (978) 375-2272. We respond 24/7 across our 18-town service area. Keith answers the phone — no call center, no voicemail loops.

Our Emergency Response Process

When you call with an emergency, here is what happens:

1. Phone assessment: We ask what happened, what the tree hit, whether power lines are involved, and whether anyone is hurt or trapped. This takes 2 minutes.
2. Crew dispatch: We mobilize a crew with the right equipment. Chainsaw crew for straightforward removals, crane and rigging crew for trees on structures.
3. On-site within 1 hour: For our 18-town service area, we are typically on-site within 60 minutes. Closer towns like Chelmsford, Tewksbury, and Wilmington are often under 30 minutes.
4. Make it safe first: Priority one is securing the scene — removing what is threatening people or property. Full cleanup follows.
5. Complete removal and cleanup: Once the emergency is handled, we do the full job: remove the entire tree, chip and haul debris, grind the stump if needed.

Storm Damage: What Insurance Covers

Good news: most Massachusetts homeowner insurance policies cover tree removal when the tree damages a covered structure (house, garage, fence, car). Here is the typical breakdown:

• Tree on your house: Covered under dwelling coverage. Most policies cover removal costs up to $500–$1,000 per tree.
• Tree on your car: Covered under comprehensive auto insurance.
• Tree on your fence or shed: Usually covered under other structures coverage.
• Tree fell in the yard (no damage): Usually NOT covered. This is the most common gap.

We work directly with insurance adjusters regularly. We provide detailed invoices with photos that make the claims process straightforward. If you need documentation for a claim, we have you covered.

Why Choose a Local Emergency Tree Service

After every major storm, out-of-state crews show up in Massachusetts looking for work. They are called “storm chasers.” Here is why you should avoid them and call a local company instead:

• Insurance verification: Local companies carry verifiable Massachusetts insurance. Storm chasers may have out-of-state policies that do not cover work in MA, or no insurance at all.
• Response time: We are 10 to 30 minutes from every town in our service area. An out-of-state crew may be hours away.
• Accountability: We live and work here. Keith McDonald has been in Billerica since 1995. If there is a problem after the job, we are a phone call away — not 500 miles away.
• Local knowledge: We know the tree species, the soil conditions, the town bylaws, and the utility company contacts for every town we serve.

Towns We Serve for Emergency Tree Service

McDonald Tree Service provides 24/7 emergency tree removal across these 18 towns in Middlesex County and the Merrimack Valley:

• Billerica (home base — fastest response)
• Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Wilmington (10 min)
• Burlington, Bedford, Woburn (12–15 min)
• Lowell, Carlisle, Dracut (15–20 min)
• Westford, Andover, Lexington (20 min)
• Concord, Winchester, Acton (20–25 min)
• Lincoln, Waltham (25–30 min)

Tree emergency? Call (978) 375-2272 right now. We answer 24/7, 365 days a year. No voicemail, no call center — Keith picks up the phone.