Tree Removal in Kirkwood, MO
Thompson Tree Care and Landscaping removes large and hazardous trees in Kirkwood, including oaks that stand close to older houses, garages, and overhead lines. We are locally owned, licensed and insured, and based just south of Kirkwood. Call (314) 712-3035 for a free estimate.
Is It Your Tree or the City’s? A Kirkwood Tree Removal Check
Before a Kirkwood removal gets scheduled, the first job is figuring out who owns the tree. A tree on your own lot usually does not need a permit. A tree in the right-of-way between the sidewalk and the street generally belongs to the City of Kirkwood and needs the city’s approval before it comes down.
Removals tied to a new house or a teardown can fall under the city’s tree preservation rules, so confirm those with the city as well. We check ownership with the city before any cutting near the street. The tree removal permit guide covers how this works across St. Louis County.
How Do You Remove a Big Tree Next to an Older Kirkwood House?
Kirkwood was laid out in 1853 along the railroad, and its oldest blocks, from Downtown Kirkwood to Meramec Highlands, have trees that are as old as the houses beside them. Here is how Thompson Tree Care takes one down without touching the roof:
Look at the lines and the roof
We note where the wires run, how close the trunk and limbs are to the roof and garage, and where the crew can set up. If overhead lines are involved, the utility that owns them may have to be part of the plan.
Climb and rope down
On narrow side yards, trees are usually climbed and removed in sections, with each limb lowered on rope. When a crane is the safer choice, the estimate says so. See large tree removal.
Protect what is below
Fences, patios, gardens, and a neighbor’s property line shape where each piece goes. Heavy sections come down in controlled drops, not freefall.
Clean up and stump
Branches are chipped and wood is hauled off or cut to length. Ask about stump grinding so the stump is handled in the same estimate.
“We had Thompson Tree Care remove two large trees, both in kind of tight places between electric lines, fences, and a deck. I was amazed by how precisely they were able to climb and take the tree down branch by branch.”
Should a Mature Kirkwood Tree Be Removed, Trimmed, or Cabled?
Kirkwood homeowners tend to want to keep their big trees, and often they can. Thompson Tree Care recommends removal only when the tree’s condition leaves little choice.
When is removal the right call?
Take the tree out when the trunk is cracked or hollow, the roots have lifted, the base is rotting, or most of the crown is dead. Dead ash is the most common case in the area because of emerald ash borer. Read treat or remove if the ash still has leaves. A tree that is leaning because of a root problem is also a removal; this guide explains the signs.
When can the tree stay?
A sound oak with heavy limbs over the roof usually needs trimming, and one with a weak fork may be a candidate for cabling and bracing. Neither fixes decay.
What does removal cost in Kirkwood?
In the St. Louis area, trees under 30 feet run about $300–$700, trees from 30 to 60 feet $700–$1,500, and trees over 60 feet $1,500–$2,500 or more. A big tree next to a house or wires lands at the high end because of the rigging. Details are in the tree removal cost guide.
What if a storm has already dropped the tree?
Call our 24/7 emergency tree service. Photograph the damage first and read what insurance usually covers. Stay away from any downed line.
Last Updated: October 2026
Kirkwood Tree Removal Questions
Usually the City of Kirkwood. Trees in the public right-of-way are generally city property even when you mow around them, so ask the city before removing one. If you are not sure where your lot line falls, your property survey shows it. Thompson Tree Care checks ownership before cutting anything near the street.
In most cases, yes. A tree close to a roof is climbed and removed in sections, with each piece roped down so it does not hit the shingles, chimney, or gutters. If the tree is leaning because the roots have lifted or the trunk has cracked, tell us when you call so it gets looked at sooner. See when a leaning tree is a problem.
Large trees over 60 feet typically run $1,500–$2,500 or more in the St. Louis area, and a big oak next to a house or power lines sits at the high end because of the rigging involved. Stump grinding for a large stump adds about $300–$500 or more. The tree removal cost guide explains each factor.
Yes, if it is near a house, driveway, or street. Ash trees across the St. Louis region have been killed by emerald ash borer, and dead ash wood turns brittle and drops limbs with little warning. Read whether to treat or remove an ash if the tree still has leaves.
Often it does when wind, hail, lightning, or ice causes the tree to hit a covered structure such as the house, garage, or fence. Preventive removal of a standing tree usually is not covered. Photograph the damage before anything moves and call your agent. The details are in our insurance guide.