Tewksbury's white pines grow fast, get tall, and come down hard in storms. We've been managing them for over 30 years — removing the dangerous ones, pruning the keepers, and grinding the stumps they leave behind.
McDonald Tree Service provides professional tree removal, pruning, stump grinding, and 24/7 emergency tree service in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. Family-owned since 1995 and based in Billerica, owner Keith McDonald and his crew serve Tewksbury and 17 other Middlesex County towns. Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google from 61 verified reviews. Fully licensed, insured, and workers’ comp covered. Free on-site estimates — call (978) 375-2272.
Tree Removal
Hazardous trees, storm damage, dead wood — removed clean. We bring the right equipment, three decades of experience, and a crew that treats your lawn like their own. When we leave, the only proof we were there is the missing tree.
Learn MoreTree Pruning
Healthy trees start with proper pruning. Crown thinning, dead wood removal, structural cuts — all done to ISA standards by an experienced crew.
Learn MoreStump Grinding
We grind stumps 6 to 12 inches below grade so you can plant, pave, or just enjoy a clean yard. Most jobs are done in about an hour.
Learn More30+
Years in Business
24/7
Emergency Response
Tewksbury is one of our busiest towns. Between the tall pines, the wet soil near Long Pond, and the massive untended trees around the old State Hospital grounds, there's always work to do here.
Pine Tree Specialists
White pines are Tewksbury's signature tree — and our most common removal in town. They grow 2-3 feet per year, develop shallow root plates in wet soil, and lean toward houses after every major storm. We've taken down hundreds of pines along Whipple Road, near Long Pond, and throughout the newer subdivisions.
Wet Soil, Unstable Trees
The Long Pond and Silver Lake areas have saturated soil that weakens root systems. A big pine or oak in waterlogged ground is a ticking clock — one heavy rain followed by wind and it's coming down. We assess the root stability before every job in these areas because the lean can be deceptive.
New Subdivision Tree Problems
The developments off Route 38 and East Street were carved out of forest. The trees left standing lost their wind protection and are now exposed to forces they never dealt with before. Those edge trees fail at a much higher rate. We do preventive pruning and structural work on young trees to set them up for the long term.
Common jobs in Tewksbury
Tewksbury is one of our busiest towns. The older neighborhoods near the center and around Livingston Street have tall white pines and oaks that have been growing for generations. The newer developments off Route 38 were carved out of woodlands, and those remaining trees get stressed when the forest around them disappears.
The Long Pond area and Silver Lake neighborhoods have a lot of waterfront and near-water properties where root systems get saturated. Saturated roots mean unstable trees, especially the big pines. After a heavy rain followed by wind, we're guaranteed to get calls from Tewksbury.
We also do a lot of work around the old Tewksbury State Hospital grounds where the trees are massive and have been untended for years. Some of those oaks are genuinely impressive — until they start leaning toward your house.
We're 10 minutes from Tewksbury. Close enough that we're usually the first crew available when something comes down.
White pines (Pinus strobus) dominate Tewksbury's landscape — they're in every subdivision, along every road, and in every backyard. They grow fast (2-3 feet per year when young) and reach 80-100 feet, but their shallow root systems in Tewksbury's often-wet soil make them the most common failure species in town. Red oaks (Quercus rubra) and white oaks (Quercus alba) anchor the older neighborhoods near the center and around the State Hospital grounds. Sugar maples (Acer saccharum) line older residential streets. Ash trees (Fraxinus americana) are dying rapidly from emerald ash borer, creating standing deadwood hazards throughout town.
Post-Storm Pine Assessment Is Critical
After every major storm, check your white pines for lean. Pinus strobus has a shallow, spreading root system that can partially uproot without the tree falling immediately. Look for soil heaving at the base, new lean that wasn't there before, or exposed roots on the side opposite the lean. A tree that's shifted even a few degrees is compromised and will likely fail in the next storm. Don't wait — call us for a free assessment. We've seen dozens of Tewksbury pines that looked fine for weeks after a storm and then snapped on a calm day.
Tewksbury, MA
Tewksbury, MA
Tewksbury, MA
Tewksbury, MA
Tewksbury, MA
We regularly work near Tewksbury State Hospital grounds, Long Pond, Livingston Street Park and throughout Tewksbury.
Tewksbury requires permits for tree removal near wetlands or in conservation areas. Public tree removal requires approval from the DPW. Private property removals generally don't need permits.
Permit requirements change. Always confirm with your local municipality before starting tree work. We can help you navigate the permitting process — call us at (978) 375-2272.
Tewksbury Tree Warden & Conservation Restrictions
Tewksbury's Tree Warden must approve public shade tree removal with a public hearing under MGL Chapter 87. The Shawsheen River corridor and Long Pond area are protected under the Wetlands Protection Act (MGL Chapter 131, Section 40) with a 100-foot buffer zone. Several conservation parcels in town have additional tree cutting restrictions requiring special permits. For private property outside these zones, no permit is typically needed. Contact the Tewksbury DPW or call us — we'll tell you what applies to your property.
White pines (Pinus strobus) grow fast and tall but have shallow, spreading root systems. In Tewksbury's wet soil — especially near Long Pond and Silver Lake — those roots sit in saturated ground that provides poor anchorage. Add wind load on a 70-80 foot canopy and you've got a recipe for failure. After heavy rain followed by wind, we get a surge of calls from Tewksbury. Preventive removal of leaning pines is usually cheaper than emergency cleanup.
Yes, but properties within 100 feet of Long Pond or any wetland resource area require Conservation Commission review under MGL Chapter 131, Section 40. Hazardous trees usually get approved — the commission understands that a leaning pine over a house is a safety issue. We handle the application and can usually expedite hazardous tree reviews. Emergency removals (imminent danger) can proceed with after-the-fact filing.
The oaks and maples around the Tewksbury State Hospital grounds are massive — some are genuinely centuries old. They've been untended for years, which means dead wood accumulation, structural defects, and leaning. Properties adjacent to those grounds should have their perimeter trees assessed regularly. We've removed several that were leaning toward homes along the boundary.
A 50-60 foot white pine in an accessible yard typically runs $600-$1,200. Taller pines — 70-80+ feet — or pines tight against structures run $1,200-$2,500+. Pine wood is heavy despite what people think, and tall pines require careful rigging to control the fall. If we're removing multiple pines on one property, we package the price. Call (978) 375-2272 for a free on-site estimate.
Don't wait. A controlled removal costs significantly less than an emergency removal — and infinitely less than the damage from a pine falling on your house, car, or power lines. If your pine leans more than a few degrees, has soil heaving at the base, or has a canopy that's noticeably thinned on one side, it's time. We do free assessments — call us and we'll tell you honestly whether it needs to come down now or can wait.
Absolutely. The newer developments off East Street and Route 38 have young trees that need structural pruning to develop strong branching patterns. Correcting co-dominant stems, removing crossing branches, and establishing a central leader when trees are young costs a fraction of what removal costs later. We recommend structural pruning every 2-3 years for the first 15 years.
Usually yes. Pine stumps are softer than hardwood and grind faster. If we're already on-site with the equipment, same-day grinding makes sense — we give you a bundled price that's less than scheduling two separate visits. Pine stumps also attract carpenter ants quickly, so grinding sooner rather than later eliminates a pest entry point.
24/7 emergency storm damage tree removal and cleanup
Learn MoreCrane-assisted removal for large or hazardous trees
Learn MoreBrush clearing, undergrowth removal, and property cleanup
Learn MoreProfessional arborist assessment and risk evaluation
Learn MoreNeed tree work in Tewksbury? Call Keith directly. Free estimates, honest pricing, and a crew that shows up on time. We've been at this for 30+ years.
24/7 Emergency Available