Elite Tree
Service LLC · Gurdon, AR
Elite Tree Service is an owner-operated crew out of Gurdon, Arkansas. Shawn McDaniel is on every job. We show up, do the work safely, and leave your property clean.
Elite Tree Service LLC is an owner-operated company based in Gurdon, Arkansas. Shawn McDaniel runs the crew personally on every job, which means you get the same standard of care across the board.
Our team brings over 40 years of combined experience in tree removal, trimming, land clearing, and emergency response. We carry full insurance including workers compensation coverage on all crew members.
We built this company on honest work and fair dealing. The estimate you get is the number on the invoice. That's the standard we hold on every call.
Safe, controlled removal of trees of any size. We assess the job, plan the drop, and execute cleanly with the right equipment for the site.
Learn MoreWe respond to storm damage, downed trees, and hazard situations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across our full service area.
Learn MoreCrown reduction, deadwood removal, canopy shaping, and structural pruning for health and clearance. All cuts follow industry best practices.
Learn MoreCommercial-grade stump grinding down flush or below grade. Includes surface root removal and cleanup of the ground area.
Learn MoreFull site clearing for new construction, pasture reclamation, and right-of-way projects. We handle the trees, brush, and debris from start to finish.
Learn MoreCrane-assisted removal for trees with no clear drop zone, over structures, or near utilities. Reduces risk on complex or tight-access jobs.
Learn MoreLand reclamation and vegetation management using forestry mulching equipment. We grind trees, brush, and undergrowth into mulch in a single pass — no hauling, no burning, no waste.
Learn MoreWe help property owners select and plant trees suited to the Arkansas climate and soil conditions, with guidance on spacing and long-term care.
Learn MoreTree health assessments, structural evaluations, disease identification, and management recommendations from experienced professionals on our team.
Learn MoreShawn and his crew took down a large pine that was leaning toward our house after the storm. They were on-site fast, handled it safely, and cleaned up every bit of debris. Straight-up professional operation.
Called Elite Tree Service for stump grinding on three stumps from a previous removal. Fair price, showed up when they said, left the yard clean. Will call them again for the next round of work.
Used Elite for a full lot clearing project on our new build site. They worked through the entire property efficiently and were good communicators throughout. Honest people doing good work.
Shawn McDaniel is on every job site personally. When the owner is the one doing the work, the standard stays consistent from the first call to the final walkthrough.
We carry full liability insurance and workers compensation on every crew member. Your property and our crew are covered on every job, no exceptions.
Safety is the first priority, not an afterthought. Proper rigging, crew positioning, drop zones, and equipment checks happen on every job before the first cut.
We minimize unnecessary removal, offer mulching as an alternative to hauling, and make preservation recommendations when a tree can be saved.
A dead or dying tree doesn't always look obvious. Some trees lose their leaves seasonally, and early-stage decline can be hard to distinguish from normal dormancy — especially in Arkansas where winters are mild and spring canopy fill can mask structural problems below.
The most reliable indicator is bark condition combined with branch behavior. Live trees have cambium tissue just beneath the bark that is moist and green when scratched. Dead wood is dry and brown all the way through. If you scratch a small section of bark on a questionable branch and find nothing but dry, brittle material, that section of the tree is dead.
A single dead branch doesn't mean the whole tree is gone. But when deadwood makes up a large portion of the canopy, when the trunk shows cracks or fungal growth at the base, or when the tree has been struck by lightning, it's time to get an arborist evaluation before the next storm makes the decision for you.
If you're unsure, call us. Shawn will walk the tree with you and give you a straight answer on whether it needs to come down or whether pruning can extend its life.
We serve a 120-mile radius out of Gurdon across 13 counties throughout Arkansas. If you're not sure whether your location is within our range, give us a call and we'll let you know.
Reach out by phone or through our contact form. We'll get back to you quickly to set up an in-person visit to assess the job.
Shawn visits your property personally, walks the job, and gives you a written itemized quote. No fees, no pressure, no obligation.
We confirm a date that works for you. The right crew and equipment are ready for your specific job before we arrive on site.
Work done safely and to spec. Full debris removal and a final walkthrough with you before we pack up and leave.
Elite Tree Service works with commercial property owners, contractors, and organizations across Arkansas. Commercial jobs often require tighter coordination, specific insurance documentation, and the ability to mobilize quickly — all of which we're set up to handle.
We carry full liability insurance and workers compensation on all crew members, and we can provide a certificate of insurance before any work begins. For property managers and general contractors, that documentation is ready on request without the back-and-forth.
Commercial work also frequently involves access challenges, overhead utility proximity, and the need for crane-assisted removal. Our crane capability means we can handle trees over structures, in parking areas, and in tight commercial corridors where conventional rigging isn't an option.
If you manage a property in our service area and need reliable, documented tree work, call (870) 403-6290 to discuss scope and scheduling. We'll give you a straight quote and a clear timeline.
Arkansas storms move fast. Knowing the warning signs of a hazard tree before severe weather hits can help you protect your home and make an informed decision before the damage happens.
Most homeowners ask about liability insurance but workers comp is the coverage that protects you if a crew member gets injured on your property. Here's what to verify first.
Not every damaged or leaning tree needs to come down. An arborist evaluation can determine whether structural pruning is a viable option before removal becomes necessary.
Hazard trees are one of the most common causes of serious property damage in Arkansas. A tree that looks stable in calm weather can fail without warning during a storm — and in many cases, failure happens before any outward signs become obvious.
Root rot, internal decay, and compromised structural forks don't show on the outside of the tree until late in the process. By the time you can see the problem clearly, the tree may already be structurally unsound. Arkansas's storm season compounds the risk — strong winds and saturated soil from heavy rain put stress on root systems that may be quietly failing.
Beyond property damage, there are liability implications for property owners. If a tree on your property fails and damages a neighbor's home, vehicle, or injures someone, you may bear responsibility — particularly if the tree showed warning signs that went unaddressed. An arborist evaluation creates a documented record of due diligence.
The cost of removing a hazard tree is nearly always far less than the cost of the damage it causes when it falls. If you have a tree you're watching, get an honest assessment before storm season. We'll tell you what we see.
Call or send us a message. We'll schedule a free on-site estimate and walk the job before we give you a number.