Tree Removal in Lakeland, FL for Dead, Leaning and Hollow Trees

Some trees can be saved with trimming and some can't. If a tree near your home in Lakeland looks wrong, describe it to us. We'll connect you with an independent local tree company that can look at it in person and tell you what they recommend.

Signs a tree may need to come down

  1. It's hollow or decaying. Look for cavities, mushrooms or conks at the base, soft or crumbling wood, or carpenter ants going in and out. UF/IFAS lists these as warning signs (EP507).
  2. It leans more than it used to. Watch for a new lean, cracked soil or roots lifting on one side.
  3. Big dead limbs over the roof, driveway or a play area.
  4. Splits or cracks where large limbs join the trunk.
  5. It's too close to the house or to service lines.

None of these means a tree has to go. They are reasons to have a professional look.

Laurel oaks: the usual suspect in Lakeland

Many older neighborhoods are shaded by laurel oaks. UF/IFAS gives them a life span of about 50–70 years and notes that a small wound can result in a decay column 10–20 feet long or more (ST549). A Tampa study found decay in 67.4% of the large laurel oaks it tested, compared with 29.4% of live oaks (Journal of Arboriculture & Urban Forestry). Read more in our laurel oak guide.

Check the rules first

Inside Lakeland city limits, the City's tree preservation rules (LDC 4.5.10, updated by Ordinance 24-037) mainly apply to development activity. Smaller single- and two-family lots are exempt under conditions spelled out in the ordinance. Florida law also limits what a local government can require when a certified arborist documents that a tree on a single-family residential lot poses an unacceptable risk (Section 163.045, Florida Statutes). Details are in our Lakeland tree removal permit guide.

What a quote usually depends on

Tree size, how much room the crew has to work, nearby lines and structures, the tree's condition, and whether you want the debris hauled away and the stump ground. Our guide to what shapes a tree removal quote explains each one. We don't publish prices because the company you're connected with sets its own.

After the tree is down

The stump stays unless you ask for it to be removed. See stump grinding. If the tree is already on a structure, go to emergency tree removal.

Get connected

Call (863) 267-9528 or send your tree details through our contact page. It's free to request. An independent local company reviews your job and sets its own price; we don't do the work.

Get connected with a local pro

Tree Removal Lakeland is an independent service that connects callers with local tree care providers; we are not a tree contractor. Disclosure