Looking for the best tree service in Scottsdale, 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 | Liberty Tree Experts | 96.3 | 5.0 (108, Yelp) | Yes (claimed) |
| 3 | Scottsdale Tree Trimmers | 93.0 | 4.8 (104, Google) | Yes (claimed) |
| 4 | Arizona Tree Trimming & Removal | 91.0 | 4.8 (565, Google) | Not stated |
| 5 | Roy's Trees | 90.8 | 5.0 (216, Google) | Not stated |
| 6 | Arbor Care | 90.6 | 4.7 (74, Google) | Yes (claimed) |
| 7 | Cutting Edge Tree Services | 90.5 | 4.8 (57, Google) | Yes (claimed) |
| 8 | AZ Desert Tree Care | 90.4 | 5.0 (165, Google) | Not stated |
| 9 | AZ Tree Doctor | 83.5 | 4.5 (79, 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 alone are almost useless in this market, because nearly everyone shows 4.5 to 5.0 stars. The real difference is how many reviews back that rating up. A 5.0 from 30 reviews and a 5.0 from 450 reviews are not the same thing, but Google displays them identically.
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 every company's star 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 rating backed by a couple dozen 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 left out, because we do not score guesses. And here is the part that keeps us honest: Arizona Tree Trimming & Removal has more Google reviews than we do (565 to our 462). More volume at 4.8 versus fewer reviews at a perfect 5.0 is exactly the tradeoff the formula weighs, and every input is in the table so you can check the math.
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), and we handle the full range: trimming, removal, stump grinding, palms, saguaro and cactus work, and 24/7 storm response across Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and north Phoenix. Trimming starts around $150 per tree and every estimate is free. We are on ThreeBestRated's top 3 for Scottsdale, and we would rather earn your call with the numbers above than with adjectives.
2. Liberty Tree Experts
Liberty Tree Experts has been a fixture in Scottsdale since 2016 and shows up on just about every best-of list in town for good reason. A perfect 5.0 across 108 Yelp reviews, a BBB A+ accreditation, and their site says all specialists are licensed and certified arborists. They handle big hazardous removals that plenty of crews turn down. Their Google profile is smaller (4.7 across 26 reviews), so per our methodology they are scored on Yelp, their largest verified review base.
3. Scottsdale Tree Trimmers
Scottsdale Tree Trimmers is exactly what the name says: a Scottsdale-dedicated outfit founded by a certified arborist, with a 4.8 across 104 Google reviews. They are strong on desert-specific work, including saguaro and cactus diagnosis, and their content about local tree care is some of the most detailed in the Valley.
4. Arizona Tree Trimming & Removal
Arizona Tree Trimming & Removal has the biggest review base in this comparison: 4.8 stars across 565 Google reviews. Family owned, open 24 hours, and they do crane removals, cactus work, and even haul off firewood. Volume like that reflects a lot of jobs over a lot of years, and the 4.8 reflects the full mix of that history; the formula weighs that volume against the rating exactly as published, which is what places them here.
5. Roy's Trees
Roy's Trees, established 2004 and based in Glendale, serves Scottsdale and Paradise Valley with a reputation for fast quotes and clean job sites. A perfect 5.0 across 216 Google reviews, with another 200+ reviews on Yelp at 4.8. One of the strongest clean records in the Valley at that volume.
6. Arbor Care
Arbor Care is one of the longest-running companies on this list, established in 1997, with a 4.7 across 74 Google reviews and an enormous Yelp presence (5.0 across 345+ reviews there). Every estimate is performed by an ISA Certified Arborist, and they go deeper than most on plant health care: disease diagnosis, fertilization, and cabling.
7. Cutting Edge Tree Services
Cutting Edge has served Scottsdale and Paradise Valley since 2005 and is a regular on the same editorial lists we compete on, including Expertise.com. A 4.8 across 57 Google reviews, with an emphasis on certified arborists and ANSI-standard pruning. A smaller review base than the companies above is what moves them down a scoring system built on review confidence.
8. AZ Desert Tree Care
AZ Desert Tree Care is based in Cave Creek and serves the north Valley, including Scottsdale. A perfect 5.0 across 165 Google reviews, covering trimming, removal, and stump grinding. A spotless record at that volume is hard to do, and they are one of the fastest-growing reputations in the area.
9. AZ Tree Doctor
AZ Tree Doctor (Branch Management Tree Service) has been working Valley trees since 1982, the longest track record on this page. A 4.5 across 79 Google reviews, 24/7 availability, and a specialty in complicated, technical removals near structures. If you have a genuinely scary tree, they have probably seen worse.
Red flags to watch for (whoever you hire)
After years in this market, these are the patterns that burn Scottsdale homeowners over and over:
- Door knockers after a storm. Crews that appear on your doorstep after a monsoon blow-through are the single 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 lives only in a conversation, it can change when the truck is already in your driveway.
- No proof of insurance. Tree work is dangerous. Ask for the certificate; real companies send it without friction.
- Topping. Any company that offers to "top" a tree is offering to wound it. Proper crown reduction exists; topping is not it.
What tree service costs in Scottsdale
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 Scottsdale?
Tree trimming in Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale?
Tree removal in the Scottsdale 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 Arizona?
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 Scottsdale?
By the published formula on this page, yes, and by raw Google review count, Arizona Tree Trimming & Removal beats us (565 to our 462). We put our methodology, our data, and our competitors' links right here so you can check the math and make your own call. 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.