The ground is lifting up around my tree in Shelbyville, Indiana — what should I do?

The ground is lifting up around my tree in Shelbyville

The serious version: soil mounded, humped, or cracked in an arc on one side of the trunk — usually the side opposite the lean — with roots on the lean side pulled upward or a gap opening between trunk and soil. Turf or mulch split in a crescent. It typically shows up within hours or days of a storm or heavy rain, often alongside a lean that was not there before. The benign version looks different: individual surface roots that have raised the lawn gradually and evenly over many years, with no crack, no arc, no lean, and no recent change.

Call tonight

If it’s on the house or across the only way out right now, call (317) 555-0142

5 crews near Shelbyville · Free estimate · No obligation

When soil lifts in an arc, the root plate is rotating out of the ground. The tree is not settling and it is not adjusting to the wind — anchorage has partly failed and the root mass on the far side is levering the ground upward. This is the one sign on this list that describes a failure already in progress rather than a condition that might eventually cause one. Gradual root-raised turf means the opposite: roots simply growing near the surface, with no loss of anchorage and no hazard.

What this usually costs in Shelbyville

This is normally a emergency tree service job, which around here runs $500 to $3,500 depending on size and access. Treat that as a range, not a quote — nobody can price it without seeing it.

What to have ready when they call

A photo with the house in frame, so they can judge the scale
Roughly how far it is from the house, the fence or the drive
Whether a truck can get into the yard
Whether there are power lines anywhere near it
Whether anyone is using the rooms underneath

Crews taking after-hours calls near Shelbyville

Sorted by distance

Where this comes from. 5 real tree services Google lists as operating here. Ratings, review counts, hours and photos are Google’s, not ours. The quote on each card is that company’s review closest to its own average — not its best one.

Photo author: sally wilburn

Arbor Tree Company

5067 W US Hwy 40, Greenfield, IN 46140

4.323

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+2

“This company is very courteous and friendly. They are prompt and fast at what they do. I had three large silver lead maples trimmed, seven dead ash…”
Zach Bailey · 7 years ago · Google

Black Cherry Tree Service

4035 E Stop 11 Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46237

4.894

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+2

“They were 1 of 3 tree companies (highly regarded) I called for estimates after a storm took down a huge limb in our backyard. 1 never called back, 1…”
Wendy Foley · 3 years ago · Google

Stewarts Tree Service: Est 1980

1917 S Franklin Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46239

4.7122

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+2

“Larry showed up in the morning and gave me an estimate that was fair. His crew was showed up, same day, and knocked out the job in a couple hours…”
Rick Oncale · 3 months ago · Google

We Care Tree Service

385 S Franklin Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46219

4.9102

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+3

“Paul came out for an estimate. Later same week,Paul and his crew of 6 worked hard and did a complete pruning and shape up of my 30yearold oak. The…”
Steve Worden · 7 months ago · Google

Airbourne Tree Service Inc.

8909 Chitwood Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46227

4.932

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+2

“If you need a fast, reliable, and AFFORDABLE tree services, I highly recommend speaking with Paul at Airbourne Tree Services. Paul came and gave me a…”
Desiree Kirk · a year ago · Google

Distance measured from Shelbyville.