Tree removal in Monroe and West Monroe, Louisiana

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us where you are in Ouachita Parish and what's going on with the tree.

2. We connect you

   Your call goes to an independent tree service that works around Monroe and West Monroe.

3. They call you back

   They look at the tree in person and quote the job directly.

Who is this site for?

Homeowners, landlords and small property managers in Monroe, West Monroe and the rest of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. That includes Claiborne and Brownsville on the west bank of the Ouachita River, and Sterlington and the newer subdivisions toward the Union Parish line. If a tree needs to come down, a storm left a mess, a stump is in the way or the canopy has grown over the house, we put you in touch with a local tree company that can look at it and give you a written quote.

Does a tree company in Louisiana need a license?

Yes. Louisiana is stricter than most states here. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) says an arborist license from its Horticulture Commission is required to work on trees for a fee, and the license covers removal, pruning, trimming, cabling and similar work. The LSU AgCenter adds that an out-of-state license doesn't count in Louisiana. Licensed arborists also have to carry liability insurance (and workers' comp when it applies) and give you a written contract that lists the work and the price. Ask for the license number before anyone climbs. Our hiring tips cover what else to ask.

Why do so many trees fail around Monroe?

A few local conditions stack up. Monroe gets about 55 inches of rain in a normal year, and the low ground along the Ouachita River and the bayous stays wet for long stretches, so shallow roots have less to hold onto when a thunderstorm comes through. Then there's drought. After the dry summer of 2023, LSU AgCenter staff warned that trees around the state were dying or already dead, and drought-stressed pines drew Ips bark beetles. Add the region's favorite shade tree, the water oak, which the LSU AgCenter calls weaker-wooded than most oaks and quick to decay once it's damaged, and you get a lot of big limbs coming down on roofs and cars.

Have big storms hit Monroe recently?

Yes. On Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, an EF3 tornado with peak winds near 140 mph tracked about eight miles across the area. It snapped hundreds of trees in Brownsville-Bawcomville, crossed into Monroe and destroyed a hangar at Monroe Regional Airport. In March 2016, 15 to 20 inches of rain fell over three days and about 9,500 homes in the parish had flood damage. Ice and sleet storms are less common but do happen in winter. Each of these leaves behind uprooted trees, split trunks and hangers that need careful work.

Warning signs a tree may need to come down

• A pine that has turned brown in part or all of the crown, or has sawdust in the bark crevices or at its base
• Cavities, open wounds or broken limbs on a large water oak near the house or driveway
• A fresh lean, heaved soil or exposed roots on one side after heavy rain
• Mushrooms or soft, crumbly wood at the base of the trunk
• Cracks where two main stems meet, or dead limbs hanging in the crown
• Branches resting on the roof or growing through service drops

What should I do after a storm?

Stay away from any tree or limb touching a power line and report it to your electric utility. Louisiana's Overhead Power Line Safety Act keeps unauthorized people and equipment at least 10 feet from high-voltage lines until the line owner has made arrangements, so that part is utility work. If a tree is on the house, get everyone out of the affected rooms, take photos before anything is moved, and call your insurance company. The LSU AgCenter also warns against hiring the out-of-town door knockers who show up after storms to cut standing trees. Hire someone with a Louisiana license. More on storm damage tree removal.

Should the tree come out, or just be trimmed?

Plenty of trees can be kept. A healthy oak with one broken limb or a few branches over the roof can usually be fixed with good pruning. A water oak with cavities and broken branches near the house, a pine that's been hit by beetles, or a tree that's split or rotten at the base is another matter. The LSU AgCenter recommends removing large, damaged water oaks near homes and parking areas, and it says chemical treatment won't save a pine once Ips beetles are in it. A licensed arborist can tell you which case you have. More on tree trimming.

What about the stump?

Many removal quotes leave the stump out, so ask. Grinding takes it below the surface so you can level the spot and plant grass. Because a grinder cuts into the ground, a careful crew will put in a Louisiana 811 locate request first. State law asks for at least 48 hours' notice, not counting weekends and holidays. More on stump grinding.

Are you a tree service?

No. Monroe Tree Removal is a referral service. We connect you with an independent tree company that works near your address, and that company quotes, does and stands behind the work. Read our tips for hiring a tree service and the Monroe, Louisiana tree removal guide before you hire anyone.

Areas we cover

• Monroe
• West Monroe and Claiborne
• Sterlington and north Ouachita Parish

Planning ahead? Read our Monroe, Louisiana tree removal guide.