Tree Removal and 24/7 Storm Service in St. Augustine
Jeff Mobley Tree Service removes dead, dangerous and storm-damaged trees across St. Augustine, St. Johns County and Jacksonville. For a tree that's down on a house, car or driveway, call or text 904-540-2167 any time. Jeff is available 24/7, nights and weekends included, with same-day service based on availability. Quotes for planned removals are free.
Signs a tree is hazardous and needs to come down
Most trees that fail give warning first. Call for an inspection if you see any of these:
- A trunk that has started leaning, especially with soil lifting on one side
- Deep cracks or splits in the trunk or where large limbs meet it
- Mushrooms or soft, crumbling wood at the base
- A dead or mostly bare crown in the growing season
- Large limbs hanging over the roof, pool cage or power line
None of these automatically means removal. Jeff will tell you, free, if pruning can make the tree safe instead. Risk checks and second opinions
How Jeff removes a tree on a tight lot
Many historic neighborhoods in Jacksonville and St. Augustine leave no room to drop a tree in one piece. In that case the tree comes down in sections, cut from the top and lowered so nothing hits the roof, fence or neighbor's yard.
Before the first cut, Jeff inspects the tree for nesting birds and other wildlife. If there's an active nest, Jeff stops and talks it through with you before anything comes down. What happens next depends on the tree, the species, and where the nest sits, so he'll walk you through the options on site.. When the job's done, all the resulting debris is hauled away.
Storm damage tree removal: what to do when a tree comes down
- Stay away from any downed power line and anything touching it. Call your power company first.
- Keep people and pets clear of the tree and anything it's resting on.
- Take photos from several angles before anything is moved. Your insurance company will ask.
- Call or text Jeff at 904-540-2167, day or night. He can secure the tree, remove it and clear the debris.
Storm prep before hurricane season
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. The best time to cut back limbs over your roof is spring, before the first storm and before every crew in town is booked. Jeff trims overhanging branches, thins heavy crowns so wind passes through, and flags any tree that's likely to fail. Tree trimming
Tree removal permits in St. Augustine and St. Johns County
The rules depend on where the tree is. The City of St. Augustine requires a Tree Removal Permit in some cases and protects certain species.
St. Augustine Beach, unincorporated St. Johns County, Jacksonville and Palm Coast each have their own rules.
Florida law adds an exception for dangerous trees. On a single-family home lot, a local government can't require a permit or fee to remove a tree if you obtain documentation from an ISA Certified Arborist or a Florida licensed landscape architect indicating that it poses an unacceptable risk (Florida Statutes 163.045).
Jeff checks the rules for your address before work starts. Tree care FAQs
What sets the price of a tree removal
Every removal is quoted after Jeff sees the tree and your property. The price depends on the tree's size, how close it sits to the house or power lines, whether it can be dropped or has to come down in sections, and whether you want the stump ground and the wood hauled off. Storm work is priced by the job as well. Quotes are always free.
Tree Removal Questions
How fast can you get here after a storm?
Jeff is available 24/7 for storm emergencies, including nights and weekends. He offers same-day service based on availability, and trees on a house or blocking a driveway come first.
Do you remove trees near houses and in the historic district?
Yes. A large share of Jeff's work is on tight lots near St. Augustine's oldest homes. Trees that can't be dropped whole are taken down in sections.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
Sometimes, and it depends more on your address than on your tree.
St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, unincorporated St. Johns County, Jacksonville and Palm Coast each set their own tree rules and each updates them on its own schedule. Properties a few hundred feet apart can fall under different requirements. Historic districts can add more.
Jeff confirms the current requirement for your specific address before any work starts. He'll tell you whether a permit is needed, whether it's yours to pull or his, and what the process looks like where you are.
If you want to check first, start with the planning or building department for the city or county your property sits in. The City of St. Augustine publishes its tree permit requirements here.
Will you haul away the tree debris?
Yes, Jeff and his team ensure your property is clear of the tree debris when they finish their work.
Can a dangerous tree be removed without a permit?
Florida law allows a narrow exemption on residential property when a tree has been formally documented as dangerous. The bar is higher than most people expect. It takes a written tree risk assessment, done to a specific professional standard, by a credentialed professional the statute names. A tree that worries you is not the same as a tree that meets that standard.
Jeff isn't an ISA Certified Arborist, so he can't produce that assessment. When he thinks a tree would meet the standard, he'll tell you and point you to someone qualified to document it. He won't tell you the exemption covers you in order to win the job.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Jeff Mobley Tree Service, LLC is licensed and insured, with licenses in St. Johns County (#1010041), the City of Jacksonville (#253789) and Palm Coast (#78068).
