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A recurring theme in Barrett Tree Service East's reviews isn't speed or price — it's restraint: customer after customer describes the crew choosing to diagnose and treat a struggling tree rather than simply cut it down. The Medford-based company describes itself as employee-owned, with a second office in Newton, and says it has cared for trees, lawns and landscapes across Greater Boston since 2007. Founder Trumbull Barrett still holds the President title; Alden Johnson now runs day-to-day work as CEO. The written record backs up that reputation with real depth. Google puts the company at 4.9 stars from several hundred ratings, and the Better Business Bureau gives it the bureau's top A+ grade. Recent reviews, through late August 2026, keep circling the same specifics: a consultant named Greg or Alden walking the property before quoting a job, an itemized plan turned around quickly, cleanup that extends to details like a skylight caked in years of tree debris. One August 2026 review described a repeat job eight years after the first, the second visit as thorough as the original; a January 2026 review said the same client had used the company for twenty years, since Trumbull Barrett himself worked the crew. Another January 2026 review credited the team with protecting existing trees through a major renovation that touched the home's retaining walls. The one recurring complaint worth knowing about before calling: several reviews between 2024 and 2026 mention a $125 charge just to get a written estimate, kept even if you don't end up hiring them — a real sore point for anyone comparison-shopping. It shows up often enough to plan around. Two other complaints look more like isolated incidents: a May 2025 review described three days of unreturned calls, and a September 2023 review said a job was left unfinished, requiring a second company to complete the remediation. The company also turns up in local press for the less billable work — training with Somerville's fire department on aerial-rescue technique, pruning a town common's historic oak on Arbor Day — the kind of visibility that fits a business built around long-term relationships rather than one-off removals. Ask about the estimate fee up front, but for anyone whose priority is keeping a tree alive rather than just clearing it, this is a crew people keep calling back.
“Barrett Tree Service East and Somerville Fire Department’s Rescue 1 shared techniques during a joint training exercise.”
“Great Quarterly Peak by a group of great guys. Doing amazing work in the tree and plant health care industry in Boston!”
“Hansen and Sainsbury work for Barrett Tree Service East of Medford and were contracted in December by the city to maintain the trees in the burying ground, Hansen said.”
“On Friday, April 28th, Barrett Tree Service East volunteered a crew of four arborists and their largest bucket truck to prune the beautiful and massive Red Oak on Town Common.”
“They had 3-4 certified arborists climbing the tree Friday to remove any broken or dead branches 10-12 feet from the ground”
I had a great experience with Barrett. Greg went above and beyond for a consultation, taking time to explain how to care for all the large plants on our property and even looking at some of our neighbor's large trees. We contracted them to remove five large yew shrubs and the price and quality of the work was very good. They spent time cleaning up the area after the work was done, leaving everything looking very good. The stump grinder did not damage the lawn it rolled across.
courteous, knowledgeable and easy to communicate with
This is the 2nd time I've had Barrett Tree come out to my property for significant tree work. The last time 8 years ago they removed two trees and trimmed everything else. This time it was the same thing. In both cases the work was everything a homeowner could hope for. Quality work, cleaned up everything, great communication, you name it. Pricing seemed fair for top-notch licensed and insured pros. In a few years I'll have them back again. VERY highly recommended. I wish every project was this easy. Just hire these guys, they're great.
Company was quick to send out knowledgeable and friendly consultant who turned around a fast itemized plan to care for our trees. Work was scheduled in a timely manner and all staff we interacted with were professional and seemed to really care about our trees.
100% satisfied. Barrett walked the area, identified a plan, promptly removed a dead oak, and established a schedule for other work. They cleaned up after the tree removal, as well. I could not be more satisfied.
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Certified attributes are verified against the public registry. Others are the business's own statement.
2 changes recorded — last scanned Sep 9, 2026.
