Looking for the best tree service in Phoenix, AZ? Quick disclosure before anything else: this list is published by Happy Tree Guys, and we are on it. We are not pretending to be a neutral review site. Instead, every rating and review count below was checked live on Google on August 7, 2026, scored with the formula we publish right under the table, and linked so you can check it all yourself.
The rankings at a glance
| Rank | Company | Score | Rating (reviews) | Arborist on staff* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happy Tree Guys | 99.1 | 5.0 (462, Google) | Yes (ISA, verifiable) |
| 2 | Tree Pros | 93.7 | 4.7 (2,230, Google) | Yes (claimed) |
| 3 | Elite Tree Service | 91.7 | 4.7 (412, Google) | Yes (claimed) |
| 4 | Trees for Needs | 90.8 | 4.7 (357, Google) | Yes (claimed) |
| 5 | Roy's Trees | 90.8 | 5.0 (216, Google) | Not stated |
| 6 | Harris & Sons Tree Specialists | 89.1 | 4.8 (385, Google) | Not stated |
| 7 | Core Tree Service | 87.2 | 4.8 (107, Google) | Not stated |
*Arborist column reflects each company's own published claims as of August 2026. "Verifiable" means a public credential page exists.
How we ranked these companies
Star ratings by themselves do not tell you much in this market, because almost every tree company in the Valley shows 4.5 to 5.0 stars. The thing that separates them is how many reviews stand behind the rating. A 5.0 built on 30 reviews and a 5.0 built on 450 reviews are very different signals, but Google shows them the same way.
So we score each company 0 to 100 using three published parts:
- Review confidence (90 points): a Bayesian average, the same statistical tool sites like IMDb use for their charts. It pulls each rating toward the market average (4.5) by 50 phantom reviews, so a rating backed by hundreds of real reviews holds its value and a thin one slides toward the middle. Formula: (n ÷ (n + 50)) × rating + (50 ÷ (n + 50)) × 4.5, where n is the review count.
- Certified arborist on staff (5 points): counted only when a company itself publishes that claim. We did not guess about anyone.
- Service range (5 points): one point credit for each of: trimming, removal, stump grinding, palms, cactus and saguaro work, and 24/7 emergency response.
Each company is scored on its largest review platform, checked live on the pull date; anything we could not verify is listed unranked at the bottom, because we do not score guesses. And here is the honest part: Tree Pros has nearly five times our review count (2,230 to our 462). Their 4.7 average against our 5.0 is what the math weighs, and the table above shows every input so you can check it.
1. Happy Tree Guys
That's us. 5.0 stars across 462 Google reviews, led by an ISA Certified Arborist (you can verify the credential here), covering the full checklist: trimming, removal, stump grinding, palms, saguaro and cactus work, and 24/7 storm response across Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley. Trimming starts around $150 per tree and estimates are always free. We would rather earn your call with the numbers on this page than with adjectives.
2. Tree Pros
Tree Pros, rebranding as PROS Tree & Landscape, is the volume king of this list by a mile: 2,230 Google reviews, nearly five times anyone else here. The 4.7 average is what a company looks like after serving that many customers over decades. Recently expanded to Tucson as well, they run certified arborists and handle everything from routine trims to emergency work. For big commercial jobs, they are on every shortlist.
3. Elite Tree Service
Elite Tree Service is a family-owned Phoenix operation with a 4.7 across 412 Google reviews, one of the bigger verified bases in the Valley. They advertise certified arborists on staff and cover trimming, removal, and stump grinding. If you want a second bid on any job, this is a very solid place to get it.
4. Trees for Needs
Trees for Needs holds a 4.7 across 357 Google reviews from their Deer Valley base in north Phoenix. They advertise certified arborists and have built their reputation on trimming and removal work across the Phoenix metro. A tighter service menu than the companies above them is part of what holds their score back.
5. Roy's Trees
Roy's Trees, established 2004 and based in Glendale, serves the whole Valley with a reputation for fast quotes and clean job sites. A perfect 5.0 across 216 Google reviews, with another 200+ on Yelp at 4.8. One of the strongest clean records in the metro at that volume.
6. Harris & Sons Tree Specialists
Harris & Sons is a long-running family outfit with one of the bigger review bases in Phoenix: 385 Google reviews at 4.8, open 24 hours from their 21st Avenue yard. They cover trimming, removal, stump grinding, and palms, and have a loyal repeat customer base on the west side especially.
7. Core Tree Service
Core Tree Service carries a 4.8 across 107 Google reviews and covers trimming, removal, and stump grinding around the Phoenix metro. A smaller review base than the companies above is what a review-confidence formula penalizes, but the work itself reviews consistently well.
Also worth knowing (not scored)
Three more Phoenix companies belong in this conversation, but we could not verify consistent current review numbers for them on our pull date, and we do not score guesses:
- Chips Tree & Landscape: in business since 2009, ROC License #348144, and a ThreeBestRated top-3 pick for Phoenix. They advertise ISA-certified arborists. The public review reads we found disagreed with each other, so no score.
- SavATree Phoenix (savatree.com): this is the former Integrity Tree Service, the first TCIA-accredited tree company in Arizona, now part of the national SavATree network. Around 320 Google reviews, but we could not verify the current rating.
- Moon Valley Tree Care (moonvalleynurseries.com): the tree-care arm of the well-known nursery chain. Multiple locations report conflicting review numbers, so no score.
Red flags to watch for (whoever you hire)
After years working this market, these are the patterns that burn Phoenix homeowners over and over:
- Door knockers after a storm. Crews that show up on your doorstep after a monsoon blow-through are the most common source of horror stories.
- Cash up front. Reputable companies in this market quote free and collect when the work is done.
- No written quote. If the price only exists in a conversation, it can change once the truck is in your driveway.
- No proof of insurance. Tree work is dangerous. Ask for the certificate; real companies send it without friction.
- Topping. Any company offering to "top" a tree is offering to wound it. Proper crown reduction exists; topping is not it.
What tree service costs in Phoenix
Real numbers from our own published pricing, which tracks the market: tree trimming starts around $150 per tree, with most single trees landing between $150 and $500 depending on size, density, and access. Tree removal typically runs $600 to $4,000: small trees under 20 feet around $500 to $1,200, medium trees $1,200 to $3,000, and large or crane-assisted removals beyond that. Stump grinding is usually quoted separately at $150 to $500 per stump.
Frequently asked questions
How much does tree trimming cost in Phoenix?
Tree trimming in Phoenix usually starts around $150 per tree, with most jobs falling between $150 and $500 per tree. Price depends on the tree's height, canopy density, and access. Dense species like ficus and sissoo take longer to thin properly, and multi-tree discounts are common.
How much does tree removal cost in Phoenix?
Tree removal in the Phoenix area typically ranges from $600 to $4,000. Small trees under 20 feet usually run $500 to $1,200, medium trees $1,200 to $3,000, and large trees or removals needing a crane can exceed $3,000. Stump grinding is quoted separately, usually $150 to $500.
How did you rank the companies on this list?
Each company gets a 0 to 100 score: 90 points from a Bayesian review average that weighs both star rating and review count, 5 points if the company itself claims a certified arborist on staff, and 5 points for breadth of services. All inputs were checked live on Google on August 7, 2026 and are shown in the table.
Should I hire an ISA Certified Arborist?
For anything beyond basic cleanup, yes. ISA certification means someone on staff has passed the International Society of Arboriculture's exam and maintains continuing education. It is the difference between pruning that helps a tree and cutting that harms it, especially with desert species and monsoon stress.
When should I trim trees in Phoenix?
It depends on the species. Desert natives like mesquites and palo verdes are best thinned in late spring and early summer, ahead of monsoon winds. Citrus and ficus are the exception and are best trimmed in the warm months after any frost risk has passed. When in doubt, ask an arborist about your specific tree.
Is Happy Tree Guys really the best tree service in Phoenix?
By the published formula on this page, yes. By raw review count, Tree Pros has nearly five times as many Google reviews as we do. We put our methodology, our data, and our competitors' links right here so you can check the math and decide for yourself. That transparency is the whole point of this list.
Get a free quote
If the numbers above earn us a shot, we would love to look at your trees. Call or text 602-806-9078 or request a free quote online. No pressure, no obligation, and the estimate is always free.