Duval County Tree Service
Tree Removal, Trimming & Stump Grinding
Custom Tree Surgeons provides licensed, insured Duval County tree service — including tree removal, trimming, and stump grinding — for homeowners and businesses across Jacksonville and the surrounding area. For more than 40 years, owner and ISA Certified Arborist Scott Washington and our crews have cared for and safely removed hazardous trees throughout the community. Whether you have a storm-damaged oak leaning over your roof in Mandarin or overgrown limbs shading a business off Southside, we handle routine, emergency, and dangerous tree work with the training, equipment, and cleanup you’d expect from a local company that has been doing this for decades.
Call (904) 292-9226 · Same-day estimates
Our Duval County Tree Services
Trees are one of the biggest — and heaviest — investments on your property. Here’s what we do, when you need it, and why it pays to hire a certified pro rather than risk it yourself.
Tree Trimming & Pruning
Trimming shapes a tree and clears hazards; pruning is the targeted removal of dead, diseased, or crossing limbs to protect the tree's long-term health. You need it when branches overhang your roof, block sightlines, rub the house, or grow into power lines. In Florida's fast-growing climate, canopies thicken quickly and become sails in a storm. A trained arborist knows exactly where and how much to cut — over-trimming ("hat-racking" or topping) can permanently damage a tree and even violate local ordinances, while the wrong cut invites rot. Pros also work safely around lines and structures with the right rigging.
Stump Grinding
After a tree comes down, the stump remains — a tripping hazard, a home for termites and fungi, and a magnet for new suckers. Stump grinding chews the stump 6–12 inches below grade so you can replant, sod, or reclaim the space. You need it any time a stump is left behind and you want a clean, usable yard. A professional grinder handles surface roots, avoids buried utilities and irrigation lines, and cleans up the grindings — something a rental machine and a weekend rarely do well.
Storm & Emergency Tree Removal
When a tree splits, uproots, or drops a major limb, it's an emergency — especially if it's on a roof, blocking a driveway, or tangled in power lines. Our crews are available 24/7 for storm response across Duval County. You need emergency service after hurricanes, thunderstorms, and high-wind events, or any time a tree is actively threatening people or property. This is the most dangerous work in the trade: trees under tension can snap violently, and downed lines can be energized. Certified crews assess the load, rig it safely, and coordinate around utilities — never something to attempt with a ladder and a chainsaw.
Tree Health & Risk Assessment
A risk assessment is a professional evaluation of a tree's structure, health, and likelihood of failure. You need one when you see leaning, cracks, dead limbs, fungal growth at the base, or after a tree has been through a major storm. As ISA Certified Arborists, we can tell the difference between a tree that simply needs pruning and one that's a genuine hazard — and, when a tree is documented as dangerous, that written assessment can even support permit exemptions under Florida law. Catching problems early often saves the tree and always saves money versus an emergency removal later.
Arborist Services
When you need a reliable arborist service near you, Custom Tree Surgeons provides professional, certified tree care for homeowners, businesses, HOAs, municipalities, and developers throughout Northeast Florida. Our team helps maintain healthy, structurally sound trees while protecting your property from potential tree-related hazards.
Proudly Serving All of Duval County
Custom Tree Surgeons has served the Jacksonville area for over 40 years, and we know Duval County’s trees — the live oaks, water oaks, pines, and palms — as well as anyone. We work throughout Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Arlington, Mandarin, San Marco, Riverside, Baymeadows, Southside, and the Westside, as well as neighboring Orange Park. From historic Riverside canopies to newer subdivisions off Baymeadows, our crews know the local soils, the storm patterns rolling in off the coast, and the city ordinances that govern tree work here. Being local means we respond fast, quote accurately, and stand behind our work in the community we’ve served for four-plus decades.
Duval County Tree Removal Cost
These ranges are estimates based on market data for tree work throughout the Northeast Florida region. Every property is different, so your exact price depends on the factors.
Several factors move a price within — or beyond — these ranges. Tree size and species matter most: a tall, dense live oak takes far more time and rigging than a slender pine. Accessibility is next — a tree in an open backyard is straightforward, while one wedged between your house and a fence may require a crane or careful hand-rigging. Proximity to structures and power lines raises both difficulty and risk, and storm-related urgency can affect scheduling and cost when crews are working around downed lines and debris. The only way to get an exact number is a free on-site quote, where we assess the tree in person and give you a firm price with no surprises.
| Tree Size | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Small (under 30 ft) | $150 – $500 |
| Medium (30–60 ft) | $500 – $1,500 |
| Large (60+ ft) | $1,500 – $3,000+ |
| Stump Grinding | $100 – $400 per stump |
Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Duval County?
In most of Duval County, yes — tree removal on residential property is regulated by the City of Jacksonville. In plain terms:
- When a permit is required: Generally, trees with a trunk 6 inches or more in diameter on residential property require a permit before removal.
- Fee and process: The permit fee is modest (around $25), and there’s a short application. In most cases, we handle the permit for you as part of the job.
- Protected vs. exempt species: Certain species and heritage/specimen trees receive extra protection, while dead, diseased, or hazardous trees may be exempt. The list matters — pulling the wrong tree can be costly.
- Fines for unpermitted removal: Penalties for removing a protected tree without a permit can be steep — starting around $10,000 — plus mitigation requirements.
- We take care of it: Our team pulls permits and knows Jacksonville’s ordinances, so you don’t have to decode the code yourself.
For specific figures and current rules, we reference the City of Jacksonville / Duval County urban forestry office.
Why Duval County Homeowners Choose Custom Tree Surgeons
- 40+ years in business serving Jacksonville and Duval County
- Licensed and insured — you’re protected on every job
- ISA Certified Arborists, led by owner Scott Washington
- 24/7 storm and emergency response across the county
- Full cleanup — we haul debris and leave your property clean
- Free, no-obligation estimates with honest, competitive pricing
- Rated 4.9 stars across 465+ Google reviews and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
Reviews
“The entire team that cut,removed,stump grind,trimmed my 3 palms were amazing!I highly recommend the services!“
– Lalais
“I am super impressed and extremely pleased with this company, their work, and their pricing! From the friendliness at the time of the estimate, to the friendliness during and at the conclusion of the job. Every employee cared about my happiness with their work. Even when the limbs were picked up at the end, there was someone with a rake making sure every detail was handled. So awesome!”
– Shaun Hewitt
“Hands down the best tree trimming & stump grinding experience I’ve had. Rick & his team are true professionals. I highly recommend them!“
– Joshua hull
Duval County Tree Service FAQs
How much does tree removal cost in Duval County?
Most removals run from about $150 for a small tree to $3,000 or more for a very large one, depending on size, species, access, and proximity to your home or power lines. A free on-site estimate gives you an exact price.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Duval County?
Usually, yes — trees roughly 6 inches or more in trunk diameter on residential property typically require a City of Jacksonville permit. We handle the permitting for you and know which trees are protected versus exempt.
How long does tree removal take?
A straightforward small-to-medium removal often takes a few hours; large trees or those requiring a crane or careful rigging can take most of a day. We’ll give you a time estimate with your quote.
What should I do with a fallen tree after a storm?
Stay clear of it — especially if it’s near power lines — and call us at (904) 292-9226. We offer 24/7 emergency response, safely remove the tree, and clean up the debris.
Do you remove the stump too, or is that separate?
Stump grinding is typically quoted separately from removal, but we can bundle both so you’re left with a clean, usable yard. Just ask for stump grinding when you get your estimate.
Is tree trimming covered by homeowners insurance?
Routine trimming usually isn’t, but removal of a tree that has fallen on a covered structure during a storm often is. We can provide documentation to support your claim.
How often should trees be trimmed in Florida's climate?
Most trees benefit from trimming every 1–3 years given Florida’s fast growth. Denser canopies should be thinned before hurricane season to reduce wind resistance and limb failure.
What areas of Duval County do you serve?
All of it — Jacksonville, the Beaches (Jacksonville, Atlantic, and Neptune Beach), Arlington, Mandarin, San Marco, Riverside, Baymeadows, Southside, the Westside, and nearby Orange Park.
Contact Custom Tree Surgeons Today
Overgrown, damaged, or dangerous trees don’t get better on their own. Get a free, no-obligation estimate from a licensed, insured team that has served Duval County for over 40 years. Call (904) 292-9226 for same-day estimates and 24/7 emergency response — and get honest, professional Duval County tree service from arborists who know these trees and this community.