Detroit's expert arborists. For Wayne County and beyond.

From removals to structural pruning to storm response at 2 a.m., we keep Detroit's trees standing through emerald ash borer, oak wilt, and the ice loads that come off Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair each winter. Expert arborists, on call around the clock.

Get An Estimate (844) 835-8733

Why Detroit

Why Detroit trees need a real arborist.

The Certified Arborist Tree Service brings expert arborists, consistent standards, and full insurance to every job in Detroit and the surrounding Wayne County communities, whether it is a single removal or a citywide storm cleanup.

Detroit grew up on heavy clay that holds water long after a storm passes, and winters cold enough to load a canopy with ice for days at a time. Add a shrinking ash population and oak wilt moving through root grafts in older neighborhoods, and the failures here follow a predictable, region-specific pattern.

That local read, knowing which species carry the most risk and how derechos, ice storms, and saturated clay act on them differently, is the difference between a tree that gets managed and one that comes down on the house.

Schedule a Detroit site walk Call (844) 835-8733

Why Detroit trees fail

The risks we watch in Detroit right now.

When a tree fails here, the cause is usually one of a few problems we check on every Detroit site visit.

Emerald Ash Borer

Decades into the infestation, Detroit's remaining ash trees are mostly dead wood standing over sidewalks and driveways. We flag standing ash on every estimate and prioritize removal before a branch drops on its own.

Oak Wilt

Red and bur oaks share root systems block to block, so oak wilt moves fast through connected yards. We avoid pruning oaks in the warm months and watch closely for wilting crowns near any infected tree.

Dutch Elm Disease

Detroit's surviving American elms are large, mature, and worth saving, but Dutch elm disease can take one down in a single season. We inspect canopy dieback early and remove fast when a tree is beyond saving.

Snow and Ice-Load Breakage

Heavy wet snow and freezing rain load Detroit's maples and lindens with weight they were never built to carry. Structural pruning before winter reduces the limbs most likely to snap under ice.

Service area

Our Detroit service area.

Serving Detroit, Wayne County, and the surrounding communities.

Areas we cover

Click an area to learn more about our work there.

What people are saying

Rated 4.9 stars across 140+ reviews.

Real reviews from real customers, straight from our Google Business Profile. Here's what people say once the crew has packed up and the yard is clean.

★★★★★

March 11th, a brief but strong storm came through Goodlettsville and blew over two giant trees in my front yard; one which was being supported by a 3rd tree that was facing and threatening my house. It was an…

Julie Bangs●3 days ago

★★★★★

From the time I inquired w this company about removing a tree that was strongly impacted from the major strong 80 mph winds on March 3, 2023, they provided us w exceptional service in every way . They were…

Jeanne Mason●3 weeks ago

★★★★★

CATS crew was amazing across the board from Mike & Lisa & Joe to the crew that came to our house. The consultation was easy and informative and made me feel comfortable in choosing them. The price was less…

Guy Hunt●1 month ago

Read all 140+ reviews on Google

What we do

A geotagged inventory of every tree on the property: species, age, condition, and recommended work, refreshed annually.

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Trees we know

The Detroit species list, and what we watch for.

Local soil, local weather, local pests. Each species here fails in its own way, and we plan around all of them.

Freeman Maple

A fast grower with weak wood at the union points, so it is one of the first trees we see split apart under an ice load in Detroit.

Littleleaf Linden

Handles Detroit's clay soil well but develops included bark in its main branch unions, a defect that pruning can correct before it fails.

Honeylocust

Tolerant of compacted urban soil and road salt, making it one of the more reliable street trees left in a city hit hard by emerald ash borer.

Hackberry

Sturdy in wind but prone to witches' broom and nipple gall; mostly cosmetic, though we check for dead wood hidden in a dense canopy.

Norway Maple

Shallow, aggressive roots lift sidewalks and starve out grass, and its dense canopy holds wet snow longer than native maples.

Sugar Maple

A native tree that struggles with Detroit's road salt and compacted clay; we watch for canopy thinning as the first sign of root stress.

Local expertise

Why an Expert Arborist Matters in Detroit

Detroit's clay soil and cold winters grow demanding trees on demanding ground. A crew with a chainsaw treats the tree that already failed; an arborist reads the one about to, whether it is an ash hollowed out by borers or a maple carrying a hidden crack from last winter's ice.

Every estimate is walked by an experienced arborist. Cuts follow ANSI A300, risk assessments are TRAQ qualified, and you get a plan and a current Certificate of Insurance before work begins.

Across Wayne County

Every community in our coverage list has its own page covering the species, soil, and storm exposure we plan around there, from Wayne County's older elm and oak neighborhoods to the Livingston County townships further out.

Detroit FAQ

Local questions, local answers.

Don't see your question? Call us. Every call is answered by a human arborist, day or night.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Detroit?

Local rules vary by jurisdiction, lot, and whether the tree is protected. We confirm the requirements for your exact Detroit address and handle any permit or arborist report needed before work begins.

How fast can an arborist get to my property?

Most estimate visits happen within 24 hours, and storm emergencies get a crew on site the same day. We answer the phone around the clock.

What is stressing trees here right now?

The biggest regional factors are emerald ash borer working through the last standing ash trees, oak wilt moving through connected root systems, and heavy snow or ice loading weak limbs past their breaking point.

What standards do your arborists follow?

Every job runs to ANSI A300 standards and risk assessments are TRAQ qualified. An expert arborist conducts every estimate.

Are you insured?

Yes. We carry full general liability and workers' compensation on every crew and can email a current Certificate of Insurance before work begins.

Do you serve communities outside Wayne County, like Livingston County?

Yes. Alongside Detroit and Wayne County, we cover Livingston County townships such as Hamburg, Genoa, and Green Oak, where wooded lots and mature bur oak stands call for a different approach than the denser city blocks closer in.

Take back your trees today

One expert arborist. Every tree on your property.

Free estimate. Twenty-four-hour response. No contracts. No commitments.

Or call (844) 835-8733, answered 24/7 by a human.