(337) 548-2811
Licensed & Insured

Tree Service in Lake Charles — Removal, Trimming & Emergency Response. Free Estimates.

Emergency response available · Serving Lake Charles & surrounding areas · Free estimates on all jobs

Tree removal in Lake Charles costs $200–$2,000 depending on size; stump grinding $75–$200. We provide 24/7 emergency storm response and serve Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis parishes. Free on-site estimates — most non-emergency jobs scheduled within a week, emergency calls answered within hours.

(337) 548-2811 Free Estimate
Before tree service - overgrown yard After tree service - clean yard
Before After
Licensed & Insured
Free Estimates
5-Star Rated
Same-Day Service
8+ Years Experience
Our Services

Complete Tree Care for Lake Charles

From routine trimming to emergency storm response, our licensed crews handle every tree service need across Calcasieu Parish.

Tree Removal

Safe, efficient removal of hazardous, dead, or unwanted trees from residential and commercial properties.

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Tree Trimming

Professional pruning and trimming to maintain tree health, appearance, and safety on your property.

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Stump Grinding

Complete stump removal and grinding services to reclaim your yard and prevent regrowth.

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Emergency Tree Service

24/7 emergency response for fallen trees, storm damage, and urgent hazard removal across the area.

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Storm Damage Cleanup

Fast, thorough cleanup after hurricanes and severe weather. We work with your insurance company.

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Lot Clearing

Professional land and lot clearing for new construction, development, or property improvement projects.

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That Tree Isn’t Going to Get Safer on Its Own

A leaning tree. A dead limb hanging over your roof. A massive live oak or pine that’s grown within 10 feet of your foundation. These aren’t cosmetic problems — they’re liabilities, and they compound every season.

Most Lake Charles homeowners know something needs to happen with a tree on their property. They just keep pushing it down the priority list. The tree’s been there for years, maybe decades. It’ll hold another month. Another storm season.

Until it doesn’t. A dead limb drops on a fence. A rotting trunk splits during hurricane and tropical storm season and lands on the corner of the roof. What started as a $600 trimming job turns into an emergency removal plus emergency roof repair — all happening at the worst possible time.

You’re not imagining the risk. Dead wood doesn’t announce when it’s going to fall.

What a Falling Tree Actually Costs

The financial damage from a tree failure in Lake Charles goes well beyond the removal cost:

The calculus is simple: a planned removal costs a fraction of what an emergency removal plus property repair costs.

What Happens When You Call for Tree Service

The hesitation most homeowners have: they’re not sure if the tree actually needs to come down, or if a trim will handle it. We answer that question for free.

1
You call or request an estimate. We answer, or we call back within 1–2 hours. Describe what you’re seeing — a leaning trunk, dead limbs, a tree that dropped something in a recent storm — and we’ll give you an honest first read before we visit.
2
Free on-site assessment. A crew leader walks your property, evaluates every tree you’re concerned about, checks for root damage, disease, structural weakness, and proximity hazards. We tell you clearly: this one needs to come down, this one needs a trim, this one is fine for now.
3
Written quote, your decision. You get itemized pricing — removal, trimming, stump grinding, debris hauling — all spelled out before any work starts. No vague estimates. No “we’ll figure it out when we’re up there.”
4
Work gets done. Our crews are insured, equipped, and efficient. Most residential jobs complete in one day. We section the tree down in controlled pieces, protect surrounding property, and don’t leave until the job site is clean.
5
Stump, debris, done. We haul all debris and offer stump grinding as a same-day add-on. Your yard is usable again, not just cleared.

What Lake Charles Homeowners Are Saying

“Had a massive live oak leaning toward our garage after the last big storm. They came out the same day I called, gave me a written quote on the spot, and had the whole thing down and chipped the next morning. Neighbors said it looked like it never happened.”

— Rick M.  Prien Lake

“I’d been putting off a dead pine over my back patio for two years. Finally called after seeing what happened to a neighbor’s fence. They told me honestly it wasn’t as dangerous as I feared but the three dead limbs absolutely needed to come off. No pressure to do the full removal. Did the trim, cleaned up completely, and it’s been solid through two storms since.”

— Teresa J.  Sulphur

“Three sweet gum trees were growing into our roofline. I got two other quotes that were vague about what they’d actually do with the debris and how they’d protect the roof during the cuts. This crew used rigging, worked slowly around the shingles, and I didn’t find a single branch in my gutters after. That’s the difference between someone who knows what they’re doing and someone who just has a chainsaw.”

— Dale & Pam H.  Moss Bluff

Our Work — Before & After

Real results from real Lake Charles tree service projects

Before tree service in Lake Charles BEFORE
After tree service in Lake Charles AFTER
Before tree service in Lake Charles BEFORE
After tree service in Lake Charles AFTER

What Does Tree Service Cost in Lake Charles?

Most tree companies won’t post this. Here’s the honest breakdown.

Tree Trimming

  • Small tree (under 20 ft)$200–$400
  • Medium tree (20–40 ft)$300–$600
  • Large tree (40+ ft)$500–$800

Tree Removal

  • Small (under 30 ft)$400–$700
  • Medium (30–60 ft)$700–$1,500
  • Large (60+ ft)$1,500–$3,000+

Other Services

  • Stump grinding$100–$400
  • Tight access / near structures+$300–$800
  • Emergency / storm response30–50% premium

The emergency premium is industry-standard during hurricane and tropical storm season — not price-gouging, but a reality of surge demand. Plan ahead and pay standard rates.

Tree Hazards Specific to Lake Charles — What We See Most

Lake Charles’s hurricane and tropical storm season (June–November) creates a specific pattern of tree failures that less-experienced crews miss:

  • Live oak, pine, sweet gum, and pecan vulnerability: The most common large trees in Lake Charles neighborhoods can develop internal decay before showing visible signs. A tree that looks healthy from the street can be structurally compromised at the core. We probe and assess, not just eyeball.
  • Root damage from soil conditions: Lake Charles’s soil compaction around driveways and foundations undermines root systems faster than visible canopy damage suggests. Trees that look fine can have compromised anchor roots.
  • Saturated ground during storm season: Waterlogged soil during hurricane season dramatically increases the risk of full-tree falls — even from trees that seemed stable. If you have a tree you’ve been watching, before June is the time to act.
  • Proximity to AC units and pool equipment: A large limb drop on an outdoor condenser unit is a $2,000–$5,000 replacement. We see it more than you’d think, and it’s always avoidable with a pre-season trim.

We’ve worked across Lake Charles, Sulphur, Westlake, Iowa, and surrounding Calcasieu Parish communities. If you have a species or site condition we haven’t mentioned, we’ve likely seen it.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about tree service in Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish.

Signs of removal-level problems: significant lean that wasn’t there before, large sections of dead wood throughout the canopy, visible root damage or heaving, fungal growth at the base, trunk cracks that go deep. A professional assessment solves this — you don’t need to guess, and we’ll never recommend removal when a trim is the right answer.
Trees within 10 feet of power lines require coordination with your utility company for certain cuts. We assess this on-site and let you know what the process looks like. We don’t skip this step.
Yes. Full general liability and workers’ compensation coverage. Any legitimate tree service operating in Lake Charles should be able to produce a certificate of insurance on request. If a company hesitates on that question, that’s your answer.
We chip branches and haul everything away. Large trunk sections can be cut into rounds and left if you want firewood — just ask. Your yard is clean before we leave.
Yes — we respond to storm damage and hazardous situations outside normal business hours. Call (337) 548-2811 any time. Emergency response is typically within 2–4 hours depending on demand after major weather events in Calcasieu Parish.
Louisiana homeowners insurance typically covers removal when a tree falls on and damages a covered structure. Removal of storm-toppled trees that didn’t cause structural damage may not be covered. We provide full documentation for insurance claims.
Tree removal runs $200–$2,000 depending on size and location. Small trees under 30 ft average $200–$500; large live oaks or pines over 60 ft run $800–$2,000. Stump grinding is $75–$200 per stump. Free on-site estimates for all jobs.
Stump grinding typically costs $75–$200 per stump depending on diameter. Most stumps are ground 6–12 inches below grade. We haul chips away on request. Grinding can be done same-day as removal or scheduled separately.
Yes — we serve Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis parishes, including Sulphur, Westlake, Moss Bluff, Iowa, Vinton, DeQuincy, Jennings, and Welsh. Cameron Parish jobs are served on a scheduled basis — call to confirm timing for your location.
Common Lake Charles species include live oak, water oak, loblolly pine, sweet gum, and pecan. Live oaks are wind-resistant but can develop root rot in poorly drained soils. Pines snap in high winds when weakened by bark beetles or fusiform rust. Water oaks have a relatively short lifespan and decline rapidly past 60–70 years. Species-specific assessment matters for accurate hazard evaluation.
Yes — we carry full general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. We can provide a certificate of insurance on request before any job begins. Never hire a tree service that cannot produce this documentation — you become liable for injuries on your property if they aren’t covered.
All branches are chipped and hauled off-site. Large trunk sections can be cut into rounds and left as firewood or removed per your preference. We rake and blow the work area clean before leaving — your yard should look like the tree was never there except for the stump.
Contact Us

Get Your Free Estimate

Call us directly or fill out the form below for a free, no-obligation estimate.

Get In Touch

Our team is ready to help with any tree service need. We serve Lake Charles and all of Calcasieu Parish.

Phone (337) 548-2811
Email contact@contrabandbayoutree.com
Service Area Lake Charles, LA & Calcasieu Parish
Hours 24/7 Emergency Service Available

Request a Free Estimate

Don’t Wait Until Hurricane Season Makes It an Emergency

Lake Charles homeowners who schedule tree work before storm season pay planned rates, get their first-choice scheduling, and don’t spend the next storm watching a problem tree from their living room window. The estimate is free. The call takes 10 minutes. If it’s already an emergency — tree down, limb on the roof — call now.

Call (337) 548-2811 Get Free Estimate

Why Lake Charles Homeowners Choose Contraband Bayou Tree

In Southwest Louisiana, trees aren't just landscaping — they're part of the character of your property. But after a storm, or when age and disease set in, a once-beautiful tree can become a serious liability. That's when you need a company that responds quickly, works safely, and cleans up completely when the job is done.

Contraband Bayou Tree Service is locally operated and fully insured, serving Lake Charles and surrounding communities throughout Calcasieu Parish and beyond. Our ISA-certified arborists assess every tree individually — we don't push unnecessary removals, and we don't cut corners on safety. Every job site is cleaned and cleared before our crew leaves.

From routine trimming to full emergency response after a hurricane, we're the team Lake Charles homeowners call. Get a free estimate by calling us or submitting the form above — we typically respond within one business day.

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