Tree Removal
in Lexington, MA
Professional tree removal for hazardous, dead, storm-damaged, and unwanted trees. Serving Lexington and the Merrimack Valley.
What We Do
Lexington is one of the most regulated towns in Massachusetts when it comes to trees, and for good reason — it's a historic, premium community that takes its tree canopy seriously. The town has the strongest Tree Bylaw I've encountered anywhere: any tree with a diameter of 12 inches or more at breast height is classified as a "significant tree," and you can't remove it without a permit and review by the Tree Warden. That means even a straightforward removal of a dead tree in your own backyard requires paperwork. I've been navigating Lexington's permitting process for years and I know what the Tree Warden's office needs to approve a removal quickly.
The trees in Lexington are exceptional — mature sugar maples along Massachusetts Avenue, towering red oaks on Follen Hill, white oaks dating back a century or more on Meriam Hill, and surviving American elms that somehow made it through Dutch elm disease and are now considered heritage specimens. When one of these trees needs to come down — whether from storm damage, disease, or structural failure — the removal has to be done with precision and care. These are neighborhoods where a mistake doesn't just damage property, it damages a tree that's been part of the streetscape for generations.
I do a significant amount of work in the area around Minuteman National Historical Park and along Battle Road. The Conservation Commission overlay zones near the park mean additional permitting requirements, and there are properties where the Historic Districts Act adds another layer of review. My crew understands that working in Lexington means respecting the town's standards — we protect lawns with ground mats, we don't park on grass, we stage equipment on driveways, and we leave the property cleaner than we found it.
Lexington is also losing ash trees to emerald ash borer, just like every town in the area. The difference here is that even a dead ash over 12 inches requires the permit process. I handle that for my customers — I document the tree's condition with photos, submit the application, and schedule the work once the permit is issued. Dead ash trees become brittle fast, so I push to get these approved and removed quickly before a branch falls on someone.
Common Tree Removal
Projects in Lexington
Hazardous tree removal near homes and power lines
Storm-damaged tree removal and cleanup
Dead and dying tree removal
Large oak, maple, and pine removal
Tight-space removals between buildings
Crane-assisted removal for difficult access
Our Work in
Lexington
Lexington projects require a level of care that matches the town. Recently we pruned a heritage oak near the Minuteman National Historical Park — 200+ years old and still going strong, just needed some deadwood out. We also removed a dying elm on Follen Hill that was threatening to come down on a 200-year-old house, ground three stumps in East Lexington for a homeowner redoing their landscape, and did emergency storm cleanup on Meriam Hill after a nor'easter brought down limbs across three properties.
What It
Costs
$300 - $3,000+ — typical range for tree removal in Lexington.
Tree removal in Lexington ranges from $1,500 to $8,000, reflecting both the size of the trees and the higher standards required. Properties on Follen Hill and Meriam Hill often have very large oaks and maples in close proximity to historic homes, and the rigging and care involved pushes the price higher than the same-size tree in a less constrained setting. The permit process adds a small administrative cost. Crane-assisted removals for trees over 80 feet start around $4,000. I provide a detailed written estimate that breaks down what you're paying for and why — homeowners in Lexington expect that level of transparency, and I'm happy to provide it.
Keith’s
Take
About two years back, I got called to a property on Percy Road near Follen Hill. They had a red oak — 85 feet tall, probably 150 years old — that had developed a massive crack in the main trunk union after a lightning strike the previous summer. The crack was invisible from the ground but the homeowner noticed sawdust from carpenter ants at the base and called me to take a look. I climbed up and found the trunk was split about eight feet down from the first major fork. That tree was a ticking time bomb. It took me two weeks to get the Lexington permit fast-tracked because I documented the structural failure with photos from the canopy. We brought in the crane on a Tuesday morning, had the whole tree down by noon, and the homeowner's insurance covered most of it because of the lightning damage. That's the kind of job where the permit process feels slow until you realize it protects the town's trees — and the fast-track exists for when it really matters.
How It
Works
01
Assessment, Permitting & Tree Warden Review
I evaluate the tree and prepare the permit application for Lexington's Tree Warden. This includes documenting the tree's species, diameter, health condition, and the reason for removal. I submit the application and follow up to get approval as quickly as possible — typically one to three weeks depending on the review cycle.
02
Precision Removal with Property Protection
Once permitted, my crew executes the removal with full ground protection — mats on lawns, plywood on driveways where needed, and rigging lines on every section. In Lexington, nothing gets dropped free. Every piece is lowered to a controlled landing zone. For large trees, I bring in a crane.
03
Complete Cleanup & Replanting Discussion
We remove all wood, brush, and debris, chip on-site, and leave the area spotless. Lexington often requires mitigation planting for significant tree removals, so I'll discuss replacement tree options with you and can coordinate with a nursery if the Tree Warden's approval includes a replanting condition.
Lexington
Permits
Lexington has a Tree Bylaw — removal of trees over 12 inches in diameter may require a permit and Tree Warden approval. Trees in historic districts have additional protections. Contact the DPW before removal.
Permit rules change. Confirm with your municipality. We can help — call (978) 375-2272.
Lexington
on the Map
Why Us
30+
Years in Business
24/7
Emergency Response
20 minutes from Lexington with 24/7 emergency availability
Historic tree care specialists — Battle Green and Massachusetts Ave expertise
Tree Bylaw navigation — we handle Lexington's permitting requirements
Premium property focus — careful, insured, professional on every job
FAQ
What is Lexington's Tree Bylaw and how does it affect removal?
Lexington's Tree Bylaw protects any tree with a trunk diameter of 12 inches or more at 4.5 feet above ground. You must apply for a permit and receive Tree Warden approval before removal. The Warden considers the tree's health, the reason for removal, and may require mitigation planting. I handle the entire permit process for my customers.
How long does the Lexington tree removal permit process take?
Typically one to three weeks from application to approval. Emergency situations — a tree that's an imminent hazard to people or structures — can be expedited. I document the urgency with photos and a written assessment to support faster approval when warranted.
Do heritage elm trees in Lexington require special treatment for removal?
Yes. Lexington's surviving American elms are rare and considered heritage specimens. Removing one requires strong justification — typically the tree must be dead, structurally dangerous, or severely diseased. The Tree Warden may require a certified arborist's assessment in addition to my evaluation. I'll walk you through the process if you have an elm that needs attention.
Can you remove trees near Minuteman National Historical Park?
Yes, but properties adjacent to or within the Minuteman National Historical Park and Battle Road corridor often fall under Conservation Commission jurisdiction as well as the Tree Bylaw. That means potentially two permit processes. I've done numerous jobs in this area and know how to coordinate both reviews efficiently.
What happens if a tree falls on my house in Lexington during a storm?
Emergency removals are exempt from the standard permit process when there's an immediate threat to life or property. I can respond same-day — I'm about 20 minutes from Lexington. I'll remove the hazard, document everything for your insurance claim, and handle any after-the-fact permitting that Lexington requires.
Will Lexington require me to plant a replacement tree?
Often, yes. The Tree Warden may condition approval on planting a replacement tree, typically a native species appropriate for the site. I can recommend species, coordinate with a nursery, and even plant the replacement if you'd like. It's part of how Lexington maintains its exceptional tree canopy.
Ready to get
it done?
Lexington's tree regulations are strict, but I know the process inside and out. Call (978) 375-2272 for a free assessment — I'll handle the permits, the removal, and the cleanup so you don't have to worry about any of it.
24/7 Emergency Available