Tree Removal Greer, SC
Dead, Leaning & Storm-Damaged Trees Taken Down Safely
Backcountry Tree Service Greer removes trees for homeowners across Greer, SC, and in Taylors, Duncan, Lyman and Wellford. Whether it's a dead pine at the back fence or an oak leaning over the roof, we take it down, cut up the wood, chip the brush and haul the lot away. The estimate is free, and you'll know the price before any saw starts.
Trees close to a house are usually taken down in sections, not felled in one piece. If you'd like the stump gone too, we can add stump grinding in Greer as part of the same job. You can also see all our tree services in Greer.
Signs a Tree in Your Yard Needs to Come Down
Some trees give plenty of warning before they fail. These are the signs forestry extension specialists tell homeowners to look for:
- A crack across the trunk. Cracks that run across the trunk are particularly dangerous.
- Mushrooms or shelf fungi at the base. Conks and mushrooms on the trunk or roots are a sign of decay inside the wood, though not every decaying tree shows them.
- A lean that's getting worse. A tree that has always leaned is one thing. A lean that changes quickly is a warning that the tree may be about to go.
- Dead branches in the crown. Dead or dying limbs are a sign of poor health, and they're a hazard over a roof, a drive or a play area.
- A pine turning color. Clemson Extension describes southern pine beetle attacks as small popcorn-like blobs of pitch on the bark, with the needles changing from yellow to orange and then red.
Problem Trees Common Around Greer
Bradford pears. Bradford pears have been planted widely across the eastern U.S., and Clemson Extension puts their life span at only 15 to 25 years. Their branches meet the trunk at narrow angles, which is why they so often split in half in ice and storms. South Carolina stopped new sales of Bradford pears on October 1, 2024, but trees already in the ground can stay. Our guide to Bradford pear removal covers stopping regrowth and the free-tree bounty.
Water oaks. Clemson describes the water oak as weaker-wooded than most oaks and prone to wind, snow and ice damage. It doesn't resist decay well, and its trunk has often rotted by the time it reaches about 50 years old, so the big ones in older Greer neighborhoods are worth watching.
Pines. Pines weakened by drought, overcrowding, soil compaction or a lightning strike draw pine bark beetles, and Clemson notes that once a pine is infested, treating it won't save it. Taking out injured or diseased pines lowers the risk of beetles being drawn to the area.
How We Take a Tree Down Near Your House
A tree in an open field can be felled in one piece. Around a house, a fence or a neighbor's garage, that's rarely safe, so we take the crown apart first.
- Walk the site with you. We look at what's under the tree, where the wood can land, and where the truck and chipper can park without rutting the lawn.
- Limb it in sections. A climber or a lift takes the branches off one at a time, and heavy pieces are lowered on ropes instead of dropped.
- Bring the trunk down. Once the crown is off, the trunk comes down in short lengths or, where there's room, in one controlled fall.
- Clean up. Brush goes through the chipper, the wood is cut to length and hauled off or stacked for you, and we rake the area before we leave.
What Changes the Price of Tree Removal
In 2026 a typical tree removal in Greer falls somewhere around $200 to $1,100, while a big tree can reach $1,500 to $2,000 or beyond. Those are typical local prices from published cost guides, not a quote, because two trees of the same height can be very different jobs. Our tree removal cost in Greer guide breaks the prices down by height. When we come out for the free estimate, these are what we look at:
- Height and trunk width. Bigger trees take more cuts and leave more wood to haul.
- What's underneath. A tree over a roof, a deck or a pool has to come down piece by piece.
- Access. A tree in a back yard behind a narrow gate takes longer than one beside the drive.
- Power lines nearby. Lines in or near the canopy change how the work is done.
- Extras. Hauling every piece away, grinding the stump, or coming out after hours for a storm all add to the job.
Trees Touching Power Lines in Greer
Keep clear of lines in the branches. Inside most of Greer's city limits, electricity comes from Greer CPW, which is available 24 hours a day for outages and emergencies (864-848-5500, or report an outage through your CPW online account). Outside CPW's area, your power may come from Duke Energy or an electric cooperative, so check your bill. Duke Energy's guidance is that pruning near power lines should only be done by qualified professionals, and that an unqualified person shouldn't work within 10 feet of overhead lines carrying under 50,000 volts. If a tree is leaning on a line, stay well back and call the utility first.
The line from the pole to your house is a different matter. If you're a Duke customer, Duke Energy says the property owner is mainly responsible for keeping branches off that service line, and it will disconnect the power at no charge so the work can be done safely. Tell us at the estimate if a line runs through the tree and we'll plan around it.
When Storms Bring Trees Down
A big storm can bring trees down right across the Upstate. After Hurricane Helene in September 2024, Duke Energy's South Carolina president said nearly 100 percent of its customers in Greenville and Spartanburg counties lost power, and both counties were among the hardest hit for fallen trees. In January 2026, the National Weather Service estimated much of the Upstate had received between a quarter and half an inch of ice.
If a tree has come down on your house, your car or the drive, call (864) 334-7887 at any hour.
Tree Removal Permits and Local Rules in Greer
For most homeowners, it's worth a quick check. The City of Greer's list of work that needs a permit covers building projects such as decks, fences, pools and roofs, and tree removal isn't on it, though the list isn't exhaustive. If the tree is near the street or on land being developed, or you're just unsure, call Greer Planning & Development's permits team on (864) 848-2175 before work starts.
Outside the city in Greenville County, the county's tree ordinance is written around new development, such as the number of trees a builder must plant in a new subdivision. If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA, check its covenants too, since some have their own rules on removing trees.
Tree Removal FAQs
Quick answers on cost, safety, power lines and permits when a tree has to come down.
What does it cost to have a tree removed in Greer?
Typical prices around Greer run about $200 to $1,100 for most trees, and more for big ones. Every tree is still priced on its own: a tall pine over the roof is a slower, more careful job than a small tree in an open back yard. Access, nearby lines, stump grinding and haul-away all count too. The estimate is free, and the price is agreed before we start.
Can you take down a tree that's leaning over my house?
Yes. The branches come off first and are lowered on ropes, then the trunk comes down in short pieces, so nothing heavy falls near the roof.
Who should I call about a tree touching a power line?
The utility first. In most of Greer that's Greer CPW (864-848-5500); outside the city it may be Duke Energy or a co-op. Once the line is safe, we can take the tree down.
Can a dying pine be saved?
Not once pine bark beetles are inside it. Clemson notes that infested trees won't benefit from treatment, and removing injured or diseased pines lowers the risk of beetles being drawn to your yard.
Is grinding the stump included?
Only if you want it. Some people keep the stump, others want the spot ready for grass. We can grind it as part of the same job; see our stump grinding in Greer page for how that works.
What happens to the wood?
Brush goes through the chipper and leaves with us. The trunk wood can be hauled away or cut to firewood lengths and stacked where you'd like it.
Do I need a permit to take down a tree in Greer?
Tree removal isn't on the City of Greer's list of work that needs a permit, though that list isn't exhaustive. If the tree is near the street or on land being developed, the city's permits team on (864) 848-2175 can confirm before work starts.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We carry liability insurance and are happy to show you the certificate before we start.
Still have a question?
Call (864) 334-7887 about the tree you're worried about, or fill in the quote form above.