Expert arborist services for homes and businesses across Lake Forest, IL. ISA-trained, fully insured, ready 24/7.
Our certified Illinois crews provide a complete range of tree care services for Lake Forest homeowners and businesses.
Professional arborist consultation services with written reports. Whether you need a tree risk assessment, a real estate transaction document, or a construction tree protection plan, we provide credible expert opinions.
Skilled crown thinning by ISA-trained arborists. We reduce canopy density carefully and selectively, removing weak and crossing branches while preserving the structural framework of the tree.
Professional tree installation by arborists who know what they are doing — proper depth, mulch ring, watering instructions, and species selection that matches your soil, sun, and space.
Selective canopy planing to level uneven growth and refine tree silhouettes. We work with the natural tree form rather than against it, balancing aesthetics with long-term tree health.
Expert removal of leaning, decaying, or structurally unsound trees before they fail. Our arborists evaluate root health, trunk integrity, and lean angle to identify true hazards — then remove them safely.
Skilled trimming work that balances appearance with tree health. Our arborists know which branches to remove for clearance and which to leave for canopy structure — every cut is intentional.
Fast emergency tree response — we are available day, night, weekends, and holidays. Our crews assess the situation, plan a safe approach, and clear the hazard while keeping your property and people protected.
Specialized takedown of dead trees that have become brittle and unpredictable. We use crane assistance and advanced rigging because deadwood does not behave like live wood under load — safety-first work.
Professional pruning that improves tree health, structure, and longevity. We selectively remove problem branches, reduce wind sail where appropriate, and leave the tree balanced and ready to thrive for years.
Professional deadwooding service that removes only the dead branches — leaving live structure untouched. Climbed work with careful spotting to ensure no live wood is removed by mistake.
Integrated pest management for emerald ash borer, gypsy moth, scale insects, Japanese beetles, and other tree pests. Trunk injections, soil drenches, and bark sprays — chosen for least impact.
Post-storm cleanup including downed tree removal, broken-limb extraction, and complete debris hauling. We coordinate with insurance adjusters and document the damage as needed.
Complete stump extraction beyond what grinding can offer. Our crews dig out the root ball with appropriate equipment, dispose of the wood, and leave the site ready for the next phase of construction or landscaping.
Deep-root fertilization and plant health care designed for established trees in compacted urban soils. We test, prescribe, and inject custom slow-release nutrients into the root zone.
Professional stump removal by grinding. We bring the right-sized grinder for the access (handheld for tight spots, track-mounted for big stumps), grind the stump and surface roots, and rake the chips smooth.
Structural cabling and bracing to support weak unions and split trunks on otherwise healthy trees. Properly installed ANSI A300 hardware can extend a heritage tree life by decades.
Full-service tree takedowns from initial assessment through final cleanup. Our arborists handle everything — rigging the canopy down piece by piece, removing the trunk, grinding the stump, and clearing all debris.
Professional shrub and hedge maintenance — formal hedges, foundation plantings, and overgrown ornamentals. We shape with the right tool for each species and the proper timing.
Professional tree transplanting that maximizes establishment success. Our crews assess the tree, plan the move, and handle the lift, transport, and replanting with the care a heritage tree deserves.
Effective tree disease treatment that targets the actual pathogen — not generic spray-and-pray approaches. We diagnose first, treat appropriately, and avoid unnecessary chemical applications.
Complete lot clearing with the right equipment for the scale — track loaders, chippers, brush mulchers, and chainsaw crews. Fast, efficient, and priced per acre rather than per tree.
Whole-tree size reduction to reduce wind sail, fit the site better, or clear setbacks. Our arborists make proper reduction cuts at lateral branches — never topping, never lion-tailing.
B. Haney and Sons Arborists has carried on a tree care tradition since 1940, today serving city like Lake Forest (pop. 19,788) with ISA-trained arborists, ANSI A300 pruning standards, and equipment sized to handle anything from a heritage oak prune to a full lot clearing. Our crews understand the specific tree species, soil conditions, and weather pressures that Illinois properties face season after season.
Every tree care project in Lake Forest, IL starts with an honest arborist assessment — what the tree actually needs versus what would maximize an invoice. We provide written estimates, proper rigging, full cleanup, and a final walkthrough on every job. With 85 years of tree care heritage behind the name, we have a lot of reasons to keep the work right.
We are committed to careful tree work that protects your property, your trees, and your investment.
We carry on a tree care tradition rooted in Lombard, Illinois that began in 1940 — bringing decades of arborist knowledge and old-school workmanship to every job we touch.
Standard service includes hauling all branches and brush, chipping the small wood, raking the work area, and leaving your property cleaner than we found it. No surprise debris-removal fees.
Storms, fallen trees, and trees on houses do not wait for business hours and neither do we. Our emergency crews respond around the clock — holidays, weekends, and middle of the night.
Every quote is itemized in writing. The price you agree to is the price you pay. No surprise add-ons, no hidden fees for cleanup or stump grinding when those were already included.
Our crews are led by arborists trained to ISA standards — meaning every pruning cut, rigging plan, and treatment recommendation is grounded in real arborist science, not chainsaw guesswork.
Have questions about tree care in Lake Forest? We have answers.
For most species in Lake Forest, late winter through early spring (while trees are dormant and before bud break) is the ideal pruning window — wounds heal cleanly and disease pressure is lowest. Oaks should not be pruned during the spring-summer oak wilt risk period. Storm damage and hazardous limbs can be addressed any time of year. We tailor pruning timing to each species at your Lake Forest property.
The stump can stay in Lake Forest if you do not mind it visually and you are not replanting in that exact spot. However, stumps attract carpenter ants and termites, become tripping hazards, interfere with mowing, and may sprout new growth. Stump grinding takes the stump 6 to 12 inches below grade — fast and inexpensive. Full stump removal extracts the root ball — slower and more expensive but sometimes necessary for new construction in Lake Forest.
Absolutely. Tree work is high-risk by nature, and any contractor cutting trees on your Lake Forest property should carry general liability insurance and workers compensation coverage. B. Haney and Sons Arborists maintains both, and we will provide certificates of insurance on request before starting work. Hiring uninsured tree cutters is one of the most common ways Lake Forest property owners end up with serious financial liability.
Warning signs in Lake Forest trees include large dead branches, mushrooms or conks at the base (indicating root rot), bark falling off in sheets, hollow trunk cavities, sudden lean, recent root disturbance, and crown dieback. A live tree may still be hazardous due to structural defects. Our arborists can perform a paid risk assessment with a written report, or include a basic visual evaluation with any free quote.
Tree removal in Lake Forest means taking the entire tree down to a stump or grinding the stump as well — usually because the tree is dead, hazardous, undesirable, or in the way of construction. Tree trimming is selective branch work to shape the canopy, clear structures, or improve appearance. Pruning is more health-focused than trimming, removing weak or diseased wood. We help Lake Forest property owners decide which approach fits each tree.
Tree removal costs in Lake Forest typically range from $400 to $1,800 for standard residential trees and $2,000 to $6,000 or more for very large trees, hazardous trees over structures, or trees requiring crane assistance. Pricing depends on tree size, species, location relative to buildings and power lines, and whether stump removal is included. We provide free on-site estimates with detailed, written quotes before any work begins.
Our reputation is built on results. Here is what our customers say.
"Haney crew handled a complicated removal — large dead oak hanging over our pool with a tight drop zone. Used proper rigging, took it down in pieces, no damage to the pool deck. The crew leader clearly knew what he was doing. Reasonable pricing and clean cleanup."
"I have been using B. Haney for our property for years. They prune our maples every other winter and the trees have never looked healthier. There is something to be said for hiring an arborist company that has been doing this since 1940 — the experience shows in every cut."
"The pruning work on our heritage oak was exceptional. The arborist explained which limbs needed to come out for tree health and which to leave for canopy structure. Cuts were made cleanly at the proper collar locations. Tree looks beautiful and well-balanced."
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