Tree Removal in Highland Park, IL

Professional Tree-Removal Service for the North Shore, Backed by a 4.9 Google Rating

Monster Tree Service is a locally owned and operated tree-removal company serving Highland Park and surrounding North Shore communities, backed by a nationally recommended brand. Our licensed and insured crews handle tree-removal projects of every scale, from a single dead tree in a side yard to large canopy trees requiring crane access. We offer free, no-obligation estimates, upfront pricing with no hidden fees, and a 4.9 average rating on Google.

Highland Park has earned Tree City USA recognition for 46 consecutive years, and that commitment to its urban forest shows in how the city governs tree care. Lake-effect weather, freeze-thaw cycles, and strong winds off Lake Michigan stress mature trees year-round, and emerald ash borer has accelerated decline in green ash throughout Lake County. When removal is the right call, we make the process straightforward.

Call us at (888) 744-0155 or request a free estimate online. We’ll assess your tree, explain your options, and provide transparent pricing before any work begins.

Three Service Tiers, One Clear Process

We offer three named service tiers so you know exactly what to expect before we arrive. Each is performed with state-of-the-art equipment by trained crews committed to leaving your property clean and undamaged.

Standard Tree Removal

Our Standard Tree Removal service covers smaller trees, including dead, damaged, and diseased specimens, as well as fallen trunks and branches. A trained crew handles the full job: sectional cutting, safe lowering, and debris removal.

Crane-Assisted Tree Removal

Large or structurally compromised trees in tight spaces call for a different approach. Crane-Assisted Tree Removal lets us lift and remove sections without felling the whole tree, reducing time on site and minimizing impact on your lawn, plantings, and adjacent structures. In Highland Park’s established neighborhoods, where mature oaks and elms grow close to homes, this capability supports removal in situations where other methods may not work safely.

Stump Grinding

Stump Grinding is faster and less disruptive than excavation, leaving the yard level without tearing up surrounding soil and root systems. We can combine tree and stump removal in a single visit. We also offer tree planting if you’d like to replace what was removed.

Signs Your Tree May Need to Be Removed

Not every stressed tree needs to come down. We assess the full tree, from the root zone to the crown, before recommending removal over a less invasive treatment. That said, certain signs warrant prompt attention.

Warning indicators to watch for:

• Sudden or heavy leaning can signal root system failure and immediate structural danger, especially after ice storms or high winds off Lake Michigan.
• Visibly damaged or decaying roots may have progressed beyond recovery, particularly in trees showing signs of emerald ash borer or other disease.
• Extensive cracks, cavities, or bark damage in the trunk, especially when more than 25% of the bark is affected, typically requires professional removal rather than treatment.
• Dead or hanging branches in the upper crown can indicate broader tree decline or, in some cases, a need for crown-density reduction rather than full removal.

If you’re unsure, a free assessment from our team can determine whether removal is necessary or whether treatment is a viable path.

Cosmetic Tree Removal

Sometimes a structurally sound tree still needs to go. Cosmetic Tree Removal addresses situations where a tree’s location or size creates problems unrelated to its health.

Common scenarios include trees growing into or near power lines, trees within falling distance of a structure, and trees obstructing traffic sight lines. In older Highland Park lots, overgrown trees frequently shade out desirable plantings, crowd foundations, or interfere with neighboring trees in ways that limit healthy growth for both. We also handle removal when a tree conflicts with a planned home addition, landscaping redesign, or new planting layout. When a removed tree leaves a gap worth filling, we offer planting services to help restore your landscape.

Highland Park Tree Removal Permits: What You Need to Know

Highland Park’s tree preservation ordinance requires a permit before removing any tree with a trunk diameter of 8 inches DBH (diameter at breast height, measured 4.5 feet above grade) or larger. Multi-stem trees with an aggregate trunk diameter of 15 inches or more fall under the same requirement, regardless of condition.

Tree Protection Tiers

The city organizes protected trees into three tiers. Protected trees meet the 8-inch DBH threshold. Key trees are select native species within that tier. Heritage trees, including large oaks, American Elm, Hickory, and Walnut meeting specific size thresholds, require review by the Zoning Board of Appeals before removal can proceed.

Exemptions & Special Zones

Trees confirmed to be dead, dying, diseased, or hazardous are exempt from permit fees and replacement requirements, but an approved application is still required. Any vegetation removal within Highland Park’s Steep Slope Zone, covering ravines and bluffs under Chapter 150 of city code, also requires a permit. Applications are submitted through the city’s online Civic Access portal and reviewed by the Forestry Section of the Public Works Department.

How We Handle the Permit Process

Our crews are licensed to operate within the City of Highland Park. We handle permit procurement when needed as part of the service process, so you don’t have to navigate the ordinance on your own.

Why Highland Park Homeowners Choose Monster Tree Service

We bring together local ownership and national brand support. Our work follows ANSI Z133, the industry safety standard governing tree work, and every crew is licensed and insured before setting foot on your property.

What sets us apart:

• Upfront pricing and no hidden fees so you know the cost before we start
• Free, no-obligation estimates available online or by phone
• Crane-Assisted Tree Removal capability for large or hard-to-access trees
• Permit procurement handled as part of our service process in Highland Park
• Insurance claim assistance, including documentation and paperwork for storm and emergency removal
• On-time, professional crews who respect your schedule and your property
• Environmentally responsible practices aligned with Highland Park’s tree preservation values
• 4.9 average Google rating from customers across the North Shore

Get a Free Tree-Removal Estimate in Highland Park

Whether you’re dealing with a storm-damaged tree, navigating the city’s permit process, or ready to remove a tree that’s outgrown its space, we can walk you through your options, handle the details, and give you a clear price before any work begins.

Call Monster Tree Service at (888) 744-0155 to schedule your free estimate, or request one online today.