Stanislaus County · Modesto, Ceres & Turlock
Find a tree removal provider in Modesto — and know what you're looking at first
Get matched with a local tree removal, trimming, or stump grinding provider, and use the field reference below to check whether what's happening in your yard is a real hazard before you call anyone.
What are you seeing?
Pick the description closest to what's happening with your tree. This is general guidance, not a substitute for an in-person assessment — a local provider can confirm what's actually going on.
A tree with large dead sections, brittle branches that snap easily, or bark sloughing off to reveal dry, discolored wood underneath is often past the point where trimming alone helps. Dead limbs overhead near a house, driveway, or fence line are a common reason Stanislaus County homeowners get a removal quote rather than a trim.
Read the full warning-signs guide →A tree that has developed a new lean, especially after wind or heavy rain, or one with soil cracking or lifting in a ring around the base, can indicate the root system is failing to hold the tree upright. This is one of the signs providers treat as time-sensitive rather than something to monitor over a season.
Read the full warning-signs guide →Central Valley winter storms can crack limbs partway through without dropping them, leaving a hazard that is not obvious from the ground. A trunk split, a hanging broken limb ("widowmaker"), or a tree that visibly shifted position after a storm all warrant a same-week look rather than waiting for the next scheduled trim.
Read the full warning-signs guide →Mushrooms or fungus growing at the base of the trunk, thinning canopy over more than one season, or a tree that simply looks different than it used to are all reasonable reasons to get a provider to take a look. None of these signs alone confirm a tree needs to come down — an on-site look is the only way to know for sure.
Read the full warning-signs guide →- Serving Stanislaus County
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Before you call anyone, read the local facts
Modesto-specific cost ranges, what the City actually publishes about permits, and how to tell a real hazard from a tree that just looks different.
Get matched with a local provider
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Common questions about Modesto tree service
How much does tree removal cost in Modesto?
As of September 2026, tree removal in Modesto typically costs $535–$726, with trees over 60 ft running $1,000+ and stump grinding a separate $75–$1,000 add-on. Tree trimming typically runs $450–$668. Our cost guide breaks this down by tree size and explains what moves the price.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Modesto?
A City street tree in the parking strip in front of your Modesto home can only be removed through the City's Community Forestry Division (209-342-2253), and the owner pays for removal and replacement. For a tree on your own lot the City publishes no separate removal permit, though we haven't confirmed the private-tree question either way — Ceres and Turlock run their own street-tree processes. See our permit guide.
How do I know if my tree needs to come down?
The signs that most reliably mean a tree is dying or hazardous are large dead sections in the growing season, a new or worsening lean, soil lifting at the base, a split trunk, and fungus growing from the trunk or roots. One of these is a reason for an on-site look; two or more is a reason to get it this week. Use the warning-signs index above to narrow it down.
Does a tree service in California need a license?
California requires a CSLB-licensed contractor for any job over $1,000 in labor and materials, and tree work is the C-49 Tree and Palm Contractor classification. Most tree removals exceed that threshold, so ask for the license number and check it at cslb.ca.gov.
Is this site a tree removal company?
No. Modesto Tree Care is a free referral service that connects Stanislaus County homeowners with independent local tree service providers. We don't perform tree work, and we recommend verifying any provider's license and insurance directly before hiring.