Tree down or one you are worried about? Get connected with a local North Shore tree pro.
Storm damage, risky trees, removals, trimming, and stumps. Tell us what is going on, and we will connect you with an independent local tree professional who serves your town. It is free to request, and you are under no obligation.
What we can help with
Tree Removal
Need a tree taken down? Get connected with independent local tree services for tree removal in Wakefield, Reading, Saugus, Lynn, Peabody and the North Shore.
Emergency & Storm Tree Service
Tree down after a storm? Get connected with independent local tree services for emergency tree removal in Saugus, Lynn, Peabody, Wakefield and nearby.
Stump Grinding
Old stump in the way? Get connected with independent local tree services for stump grinding and removal in Reading, Wakefield, Peabody, Lynnfield and the North Shore.
Tree Trimming & Pruning
Overgrown trees or limbs over the roof? Get connected with independent local tree services for tree trimming and pruning in Melrose, Stoneham, Reading, Wakefield and nearby.
Hazard Tree Assessment
Worried a tree could fall? Get connected with independent local tree professionals for a hazard tree assessment in Lynnfield, North Reading, Wilmington, Saugus and the North Shore.
Why tree problems matter
Most trees are an asset, and no tree is completely risk-free. A few warning signs, though, are worth having a qualified arborist look at before the next storm.
Storms bring down weak trees and limbs
Strong winds and soaking rain soften soil and can overturn trees, and ice storms create hazards of their own. When a mature tree or a large part of it fails, it can damage homes, cars, fences, and utility lines.(ISA TreesAreGood: Recognizing Tree Risk)
Dead and hanging limbs are a common hazard
Large dead branches, detached or hanging limbs, cracks or splits in the trunk, cavities, rot, and mushrooms at the base are signs of possible defects. Evaluating how serious they are is best done by a professional arborist.(ISA TreesAreGood: Recognizing Tree Risk)
Emerald ash borer is killing ash trees here
This invasive beetle is devastating ash trees in Massachusetts and has been confirmed in Essex and Middlesex counties. Its larvae feed under the bark and can kill a tree, and the USDA Forest Service notes that removing declining ash is an ongoing public safety risk and cost for communities and landowners.(Mass.gov: Emerald Ash Borer in Massachusetts, USDA APHIS: Emerald Ash Borer, USDA Forest Service: Massachusetts Forest Health Highlights 2025)
Storm cleanup is dangerous work
Trees and limbs under tension can move unexpectedly when cut, and damaged trees may be touching power lines. Stay away from downed lines, call the utility, and leave climbing and chainsaw work to trained crews.(ISA TreesAreGood: Storm-Related Tree Damage, ISA TreesAreGood: Recognizing Tree Risk)
What makes tree work different north of Boston
This is a wooded part of Massachusetts. Breakheart Reservation straddles Saugus and Wakefield, the Middlesex Fells Reservation is headquartered in Stoneham, and many neighborhoods have mature trees close to houses and wires. Nor'easters, summer thunderstorms, and heavy wet snow bring limbs down every year.
Ash trees are a particular concern. The state reports that the invasive emerald ash borer has been detected in Essex and Middlesex counties and in 280 Massachusetts communities, and infested ash trees become brittle as they die. The state asks that ash wood be chipped or left on site rather than moved.
Trees on the public way are protected. Under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 87, public shade trees cannot be cut or removed without the tree warden, usually after a public hearing, and designated scenic roads have their own review. Some communities, including Wakefield, Reading, and Peabody, also run their own municipal electric utilities, which handle trees on their power lines.
Getting help is simple
- Call or fill out the form. Tell us your town and what is going on.
- A local pro contacts you. They talk through the job with you and set up a visit if needed.
- Get a quote and decide. Requesting a quote is free, and you are never obligated to hire.
Towns we cover
Wakefield, MA
Median home built ~1956 · 57% pre-1960
Reading, MA
Median home built ~1960 · 51% pre-1960
Melrose, MA
Median home built ~1938 · 70% pre-1960
Stoneham, MA
Median home built ~1964 · 46% pre-1960
Lynnfield, MA
Median home built ~1964 · 43% pre-1960
Saugus, MA
Median home built ~1962 · 47% pre-1960
Woburn, MA
Median home built ~1968 · 41% pre-1960
Malden, MA
Median home built ~1950 · 56% pre-1960
Lynn, MA
Median home built ~1946 · 63% pre-1960
Peabody, MA
Median home built ~1966 · 40% pre-1960
North Reading, MA
Median home built ~1975 · 28% pre-1960
Wilmington, MA
Median home built ~1979 · 29% pre-1960
Housing figures: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates.
Frequently asked questions
Is Storm Tree North Shore a tree service?
No. We are a free service that connects property owners with independent local professionals, who are responsible for their own work, pricing, licensing, certification, and insurance.
Does it cost anything to use this site?
No. Sending a request is free, and you are never obligated to hire anyone. We may be paid by the professionals we connect you with.
What towns do you cover?
Wakefield, Reading, Melrose, Stoneham, Lynnfield, Saugus, Woburn, Malden, Lynn, Peabody, North Reading, and Wilmington, Massachusetts.
How do I check a tree service before hiring?
Ask for proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance, a written price that lists cleanup and stump work, and references. Ask whether a certified arborist will assess the tree. Be cautious with door-to-door storm offers.
How do I know if a tree on my property is dangerous?
The International Society of Arboriculture suggests looking for large dead branches, hanging or detached limbs, cracks or splits in the trunk or branch unions, cavities or rotten wood, mushrooms at the base, and recent root disturbance from construction. If you see any of these, have the tree evaluated by a qualified arborist.
Is emerald ash borer in my area?
Very likely. Mass.gov reports emerald ash borer has been detected in Essex and Middlesex counties, among others, and the whole state is part of the federal quarantine zone. If you have ash trees, an arborist can help you decide whether treatment or removal makes sense.
Should I cut up a storm-damaged tree myself?
It is safer not to. Limbs under tension can spring back when cut, and damaged trees can be in contact with power lines. Never go near downed lines, call your utility, and have trained tree workers handle the cleanup.