Tree Removal in Sarasota & Manatee County
Art's Tree Service removes hazardous, dead, diseased, and unwanted trees across Sarasota and Manatee County, Florida. Works with an ISA Certified Arborist. We also handle the permit requirements for both counties. Free estimates: (941) 877-1317.
When should a tree be removed?
Not every problem tree needs to come down, and we will tell you honestly when pruning or treatment is the better option. Removal is usually the right call when a tree is dead or dying, structurally compromised, diseased beyond treatment, dangerously close to your home or power lines, or lifting foundations, driveways, and pools with its roots.
Hazardous and dangerous tree removal
Leaning trunks, cracked unions, root failure, or storm-weakened trees that put people and property at risk.
Dead or dying tree removal
Dead trees fail without warning, especially in summer storms. Removing them on your schedule beats removing them from your roof.
Diseased tree removal
When disease or pests have progressed past treatment, removal protects the healthy trees around it.
Storm-damaged tree removal
Split trunks, hanging limbs, and uprooted trees after severe weather. For urgent situations, use our 24/7 emergency tree removal service.
Selective tree removal
Thinning crowded stands or clearing specific trees to open space, light, and views while preserving the trees you want.
Complete tree removal, including the stump
Many customers combine removal with stump grinding or full stump removal in one visit.
What are the signs a tree needs to be removed?
You do not need to be an arborist to spot the warning signs. If you see any of these, it is time for a professional assessment:
- Mushrooms or other fungi growing at the base of the tree
- Cavities or hollow spots in the trunk
- Dead or rotting branches in the upper crown
- Fine twigs without buds near the branch ends
- Chipped, peeling, or soft spongy bark
- Splits or large cracks in the trunk
- A lean that was not there before
One sign alone is not always a death sentence, which is exactly why the assessment matters. Sometimes the answer is treatment, not removal.
How can you tell if a tree is decaying inside?
Internal decay is the danger you cannot see from the curb. Fungi feeding on the trunk or root flare, darkened or patchy wood, soft spots you can press a screwdriver into, unusual leaf drop, and limbs dropping without wind are all indicators that the tree's structure is compromised. An arborist-guided evaluation tells you how far it has progressed and whether the tree can be saved.
Can you remove just a limb instead of the whole tree?
Often, yes, and when it is possible, it is what we will recommend. If the problem is one overgrown limb over the roof or a few damaged branches, targeted limb removal preserves the tree, prevents disease spread, improves airflow, and costs far less than a removal. See our tree trimming and pruning service.
Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Sarasota or Manatee County?
Often, yes. Both counties regulate the removal of certain tree species and sizes, and the rules differ between Sarasota County and Manatee County and the cities within them. There is one important exception: under Florida Statute 163.045, a local government cannot require a permit, fee, or mitigation to remove a tree on residential property when the owner has documentation from a qualified professional based on an onsite assessment using the procedures referenced in the statute. The documentation must identify an unacceptable risk and determine that removal is the only practical way to reduce that risk below moderate. The exception is limited, and other properties and removals remain subject to local rules.
This is where we save you real headaches: permitting and regulatory-compliance assistance is part of our removal service. We identify whether your tree needs a permit, prepare what the county requires, and, where the dangerous-tree exception applies, we can help coordinate the documentation the applicable rules require. Either way, your removal is handled with the permitting requirements in mind.
How much does tree removal cost in Sarasota?
It depends on the tree's height, trunk diameter, condition, and how accessible it is. A small tree in an open front yard and a large oak leaning over a pool cage are very different jobs. We give every customer a free, written, on-site estimate before any work begins, and the price you approve is the price you pay.
What happens during a tree removal?
Assessment
We evaluate the tree, the surroundings, and the safest removal method, with ISA Certified Arborist guidance.
Permits
If the county requires a permit, we handle it before work starts.
Removal
The tree comes down in controlled sections, protecting your home, landscape, and neighbors' property. We establish a clear drop zone before any cutting begins, so branches and trunk sections are lowered exactly where we intend, never where gravity decides.
Cleanup
Full debris haul-away is included. We leave the property cleaner than we found it.
Stump
If you have chosen stump grinding or removal, it happens in the same visit where possible.
Why choose Art's Tree Service for tree removal?
- Works with ISA Certified Arborist Francena Davis (Cert. #FL-9927A)
- Insured, proof available on request
- Over 400 five-star Google reviews from Sarasota and Manatee County customers
- Permit assistance included
- Free written estimates and upfront pricing
- Full cleanup and haul-away on every job
- Residential, commercial, and industrial properties
Frequently asked questions
Your Trees, Our Passion
Free estimates across Sarasota and Manatee County. Works with an ISA Certified Arborist.