Richards Tree Service in Oklahoma City: Storm Cleanup and Large Removals
Richards Tree Service handles tree removal, pruning, and storm cleanup across Oklahoma City and surrounding areas, operating as a full-service contractor for residential and commercial properties. The business specializes in managing oak and pine trees common to central Oklahoma, with particular strength in rapid response to storm damage and removal of trees too large or compromised for DIY handling.
What Richards Tree Service actually is
Richards Tree Service operates as a licensed, insured tree contractor serving the Oklahoma City metro. The company handles three primary service categories: routine pruning and maintenance, tree removal, and emergency storm cleanup. Unlike general landscapers who may trim hedges and shrubs, Richards focuses on trees themselves, which involve different equipment, permits, and risk management. The business has been operating in the OKC market long enough to understand local soil conditions, native species, and the specific hazards that come with Oklahoma's severe weather patterns, particularly the spring and early summer storms that routinely drop limbs across driveways and roofs.
Services and pricing
Richards Tree Service charges on a per-job basis rather than subscription. Tree removal runs $400 to $1,500 for a single residential tree, depending on height, diameter, proximity to structures, and whether the trunk needs to be chipped on-site or hauled away. A 40-foot oak in an open yard costs less than a 50-foot tree within 15 feet of a house. Large commercial removals or jobs involving multiple trees are quoted individually. Pruning and trimming typically cost $300 to $800 per visit for residential properties. Storm cleanup pricing varies widely; emergency calls during or immediately after severe weather may carry a premium, and confirmation of current rates is advised before booking.
The company removes debris by chipping (included in removal price for most jobs) or loads whole logs for firewood sales if the customer requests it. Stump grinding is available as an add-on, running roughly $100 to $300 depending on stump diameter and root spread.
How Richards compares to other Oklahoma City tree services
Oklahoma City has several established tree contractors. Davey Tree, a national chain with a local branch, tends to run 20-30% higher on routine jobs but offers same-day emergency response guarantees and a corporate reputation that appeals to property managers and commercial clients. Arbor Care specializes in certified arborist consultation and health assessments for trees that might be saved rather than removed; choose Arbor Care if you want a diagnosis before removal, or if you have heritage trees you want to preserve. Richards Tree Service sits between the two: faster and cheaper than Davey for straightforward removals, more action-focused than Arbor Care and less expensive if you simply need a dead tree gone. Richards does not emphasize arborist certification in marketing, which is appropriate if your tree is clearly dead or storm-damaged and does not need assessment.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Richards works best for owners with clear-cut removal or cleanup jobs: a tree down across a fence, a dead pine threatening a roof, post-storm limbs scattered across a driveway. Call Richards if you need the work done within a week and price matters. Do not use Richards if you need detailed tree health assessment, preservation advice for a valuable or protected specimen, or certified arborist documentation for insurance claims. Richards is also less suitable for very small jobs (a few branches or light trimming on a young ornamental); they operate at the scale of full trees and require a minimum job scope.
What the first visit involves
Contact Richards by phone to describe the job: tree height (estimate is fine), species if you know it, proximity to structures, and whether removal is urgent. The company typically schedules an estimate visit within 2-3 business days unless the job is emergency storm cleanup, in which case response times are shorter. During the estimate, a crew member walks the property, measures or assesses the tree, confirms debris handling, and provides a verbal or written quote. No deposit is usually required for estimates. Scheduling for removal follows once you approve; typical turnaround is 5-14 days depending on current workload and weather.
Hours, location, and logistics
Richards operates during standard business hours, Monday through Friday, with Saturday availability for estimates and cleanup jobs; verification of current weekend hours is recommended. The company serves Oklahoma City proper and surrounding areas within roughly a 20-mile radius, including Edmond, Norman, and mid-county locations. Parking is not an issue, as work occurs on your property. Storm cleanup calls may be handled same-day or next-day depending on severity and call volume.
Richards Tree Service fills the practical middle ground in Oklahoma City's tree service market: no-nonsense removal and cleanup at reasonable cost, without premium pricing or arborist framing.
