Tree Service in Annapolis, MD
A leaning tree over a downtown rowhouse, a split oak in Eastport, a big tree on the creek in Annapolis Neck: tree work in Annapolis takes a careful crew and the right permits. Economy Tree Service handles removals, trimming, stump grinding and storm cleanup across the city, and our Crownsville yard is right up the road. A Maryland Licensed Tree Expert (LTE# 1929) leads every job, estimates are free, and we answer storm calls 24/7.
Here’s How It Works
- Get in touch today to learn more about us and our services. We’ll provide you with a free estimate to help you make the right decision for your project and your budget.
- Let us do the work. Our expert team will arrive on time at your Annapolis, Maryland, home or business and will quickly, safely, and effectively remove the specified tree(s).
- After we’ve finished removing the trees/branches, etc., we will thoroughly clean the work area and remove all debris, leaving your property neat and tidy.
City Tree Permits and the Annapolis Historic District
The City of Annapolis writes its own tree rules, separate from Anne Arundel County. Under the City Code, removing any tree over five inches in diameter at breast height needs a city tree permit when it stands in a front, side or rear setback next to a public right of way such as a street, sidewalk or alley. The city requires native replacement trees, from one for a 5 to 10 inch tree up to three for a tree over 20 inches.
Inside the Historic District, removing any tree needs approval from the Historic Preservation Commission along with the tree permit. Near Spa Creek, Back Creek, College Creek, Weems Creek or the Severn River, taking down a tree within 100 feet of the water requires a buffer management plan through the city’s Department of Planning and Zoning, because Annapolis runs its own Critical Area review.
We know how these approvals stack up on narrow downtown lots. We assess the tree, document its condition for the city, and plan a removal that protects brick sidewalks, old roofs and the neighbors’ houses a few feet away. In Hillsmere Shores, Bay Ridge and Parole, which sit outside the city line, Anne Arundel County’s rules apply instead, and we handle those approvals as well.
Annapolis Storm Damage and 24/7 Emergency Tree Removal
Annapolis sits low on the water, and its storms show it. On September 19, 2003, Hurricane Isabel drove the highest tide on record into City Dock, flooding downtown businesses and large parts of the Naval Academy. On September 1, 2021, an EF2 tornado spun up by the remnants of Hurricane Ida crossed the South River and Edgewater and tore through Admiral Heights with winds estimated at 125 mph. If a tree comes down on your home, dock, car or fence, call 443-228-3578 any time. We answer 24/7 and get to work making your property safe.
Salt water on high tides. The low streets around City Dock and parts of Eastport flood on ordinary high tides, not just in storms. Repeated salt water in the soil weakens nearby trees slowly until a limb or the whole tree gives way.
Street trees in tight spaces. Many downtown and Murray Hill trees grow in narrow strips between brick sidewalks and old foundations. Roots lift pavers, and there is rarely room to drop a tree in one piece, so it has to come down in sections.
Eroding creek banks. Trees along Spa Creek, Back Creek and Weems Creek often lean out over the water as the banks wear away. Removing them needs a city buffer plan and careful rigging so nothing lands in the creek or on a boat.
Limbs over roofs and wires. Older neighborhoods like West Annapolis and Wardour have mature trees spreading over houses, porches and overhead lines. Dead or rubbing limbs break first in high wind, so pruning them ahead of storm season lowers the risk.
For Annapolis homes, marinas and businesses we offer tree removal, trimming and pruning, stump grinding, storm damage cleanup, Marsh Master phragmite control and marsh land clearing along creeks and shorelines, and seasoned firewood. We are permitted to move and sell wood under Maryland rules. Estimates are always free, so request your free estimate.
Annapolis Neighborhoods We Serve
Downtown and the Historic District, Eastport, Murray Hill, Wardour, West Annapolis, Admiral Heights, Presidents Hill and the neighborhoods along Forest Drive, plus Parole, Hillsmere Shores, Bay Ridge and the rest of Annapolis Neck. We serve all of Anne Arundel County, including nearby Crownsville, Arnold and Edgewater.
Annapolis Tree Service FAQ
Do I need a city permit to remove a tree in Annapolis?
Often, yes. A tree over five inches in diameter in a setback along a street, sidewalk or alley needs a city tree permit. Any tree in the Historic District needs Historic Preservation Commission approval, and trees within 100 feet of the water need a buffer management plan. The city also requires native replacement trees. We can tell you which rules apply to your lot.
I live in Hillsmere Shores or Bay Ridge. Do the city rules apply?
No. Those communities are outside the city limits on Annapolis Neck, so Anne Arundel County’s rules apply. Most lots there are close enough to the water to fall in the Critical Area, where the county requires an approved plan before any tree comes down, even a dead one.
Can you remove a tree on a tight downtown lot?
Yes. When there is no room to fell a tree, our climbers take it down in pieces and lower each section by rope, away from roofs, brick walks and the house next door. We plan the work around narrow streets and parking so the job causes as little trouble for neighbors as possible.
How soon can you reach Annapolis after a storm?
Our yard is in Crownsville, just up Generals Highway, so Annapolis is one of the closest places we work. We answer emergency calls 24/7. Call 443-228-3578, tell us what came down and where, and we will get a crew headed your way.