Tree Removal and Cutting Service

Trees are important and beautiful parts of a home’s landscape. However, there are instances when a tree can go from wonderful to problematic or even dangerous. The tree could be dead, damaged, diseased, or even growing in a direction that puts people and structures below it in harm’s way. This is why tree removal and tree cutting are often necessary jobs that many homeowners seek out.

Tree removal can be a dangerous process and one that will most likely require a team of professionals with the proper equipment to perform the job safely and efficiently.

Below is a guide to educate readers on the tree removal or cutting process and what to expect when
hiring a professional tree removal service.

Tree Removal Cost

How much does it cost to remove a tree? The average cost of tree removal can range from $100 to $1,700, depending on many factors related to the job including tree size, complexity of the work needed and tree condition.

Since many different factors contribute to determining the cost of tree removal, it is difficult to get a completely accurate prediction of the cost. We can help you calculate an estimated price. To help readers get an idea of how prices can fluctuate, here are some things that can affect tree removal cost:

Height

The taller the tree, the more expensive it is to remove. This is because taller trees require more time, planning, equipment and people to safely remove them. There is also an added element of danger the higher up tree removal workers need to go to do their job.

Thickness

The wider the tree is in diameter, the more it will cost to remove. A thicker tree trunk will need to be cut into much smaller sections to remove than a tree with a thinner trunk. Therefore, thicker trees require more time and money to get rid of.

Proximity to Power Lines or Other Structures

If a tree is near or tangled up in a power line, then extra precautions and considerations need to come into play during the tree removal process. This is also true when a tree is hovering above a structure that falling limbs could damage. This all means more work for the tree removal professionals and will increase the price.

Condition

There are various tree conditions that will affect the cost of removal. Here are some of those scenarios:

  • Exposed roots can complicate the tree removal process
  • If the tree has a hard lean instead of growing straight up, it can be more difficult and costly to remove
  • Signs of decay can make trees less secure and trickier to remove
  • A split trunk can complicate tree removal
  • An unstable tree can increase risk and cost as well
  • Dead or dying trees can actually cost more to remove since there is a level of unpredictability when pulling them down due to their fragility
Fallen Trees

If the tree has already fallen to the ground, then removal will likely cost less. If there is no climbing involved and it is simply cutting the tree into manageable pieces and safely removing the debris, this type of job will be much less expensive. However, if the fallen tree is caught on another tree or structure, then this may not be the case.

The Cost of Tree Removal by Height:

Small, Medium, Large & Very Large

  • Very Tall: {80 feet and above}The cost of removing very tall trees can get quite high as more equipment and people are
    required during the removal process. Cranes and other trucks are often wheeled in for
    these bigger jobs. Prices to remove a very tall tree can get up to $1,700.
  • Large: {60-80 feet}As noted before, tree height has a direct effect on tree removal costs. Removing
    large trees can start around $500 and reach up to about $1,100. The likelihood of
    there being a nearby powerline or structure that needs to be carefully avoided is
    higher with taller trees.
  • Medium: {30-60 feet}As trees get taller and diameter rises, so do the costs. Medium trees can
    reach up to 60 feet and tend to cost between $200 and $900 to remove.
  • Small: {30 feet or less}Smaller trees are simpler to remove and typically have a lower
    complexity level. The cost to remove them is typically $500 and under.
    Removing small trees and planting them in a new area can add to the cost.

Services Not Typically Included in Basic Tree Removal

There are other services associated with tree removal that could cost extra instead of being included in the initial price.
Here are some of those:

  • Limb and Trunk Removal. Sometimes bids do not include the cost to remove limbs and trunks from the property and hauling them away could cost extra.
  • Limb Chipping Chipping the limbs is an alternative to having them hauled away. The cost of chipping is typically slightly less than hauling.
  • Stump Removal / Stump Grinding This is almost always an additional service.
  • Log Cutting Tree removal services offer to chop up the wood from the tree for an added fee. This is great for people with wood-burning fireplaces or outdoor fire pits.
  • There are times but extremely rare when you could be eligible for free tree removal service.
Emergency Tree Removal

High winds and storms have the power to take down even the largest of trees and limbs. When a tree comes down on a home, car or other property, emergency tree removal service is needed as you will want to fix the problem as soon as possible. Here’s what to do if a tree falls onto your house:

  • 1. Evacuate all inhabitants from the house
  • 2. Turn off all utilities. If the tree knocked any gas or water pipes loose, this could turn into a larger problem.
  • 3. Call local authorities and explain the situation.
  • 4. Call your insurance company.
  • 5. Call an emergency tree removal service.
  • 6. If possible, before the tree removal services arrives move any surrounding cars or moveable materials to allow for potential large machinery to pull in around the affected area of the home.
  • 7. After the tree is removed, get a safety inspection of your home.

Other Tree Services

Here are some other services that tree removal specialists may offer:

  • {Tree Trimming}:Otherwise known as tree lopping or tree pruning. This involves the clearing of dead branches and shaping of the tree.
  • {Tree Planting}:Interested in adding trees to the yard? Most tree removal services offer tree planting. Professionals can help with smart placement to avoid things like sewer pipes and potential issues down the road.
  • {Tree Care}:Tree care services can encompass many things including fertilization, insect repellent, disease diagnosis and consulting on proper tree maintenance.
  • {Tree Cabling}:This is when cables and braces are installed around weak portions of a tree to make it more secure during a storm without taking away from its natural beauty.
Understanding the Tree Removal Process

Here’s what to expect when a tree removal service shows up to your house to begin working:

Step 1:

The crew will analyze the worksite and determine the best positioning for their equipment to handle the job effectively and safely. There are many considerations involved in this process such as the best location for a crane or bucket truck, any obstacles to avoid, ground slope and determining a safe area for tree debris.

Step 2:

Setting up the equipment. The more complicated the tree removal job, the more equipment will be necessary. If a crane is needed, the setup for that can take a while. This process requires the use of stabilizers to make sure that the crane is completely level.

Step 3:

A cutting plan is discussed. Each piece of the tree that is removed requires careful planning. Some of the things the crew needs to discuss include the weight of various pieces, implication of limb directions as well as mapping out a safe path for the tree parts to travel from the point they are cut to where they are placed on the ground.

Step 4:

A person is typically lifted into the tree to begin the process. The tree worker will attach the end of the crane cable to the part of the tree that is to be cut and begin cutting. Once the cut goes all of the way through, the crane will take that piece to the drop area and then return to start on the next section.

Step 5:

The removed pieces will be cut up by tree workers on the ground. The tree parts can be turned into firewood, chipped or stripped to sell depending on what was decided with the tree removal team beforehand.

Step 6:

This process is repeated until the tree is removed.

General Tree Cutting Tips

Tree cutting can be a dangerous job, which is why
it is better to call in a team of professionals, but if there is a small
tree that you believe you are equipped to handle, below are some tree cutting tips.

  • Before taking on this project, put on proper safety equipment including goggles, a helmet, knee-high safety boots to protect your legs from a chainsaw kickback, earmuffs and gloves.

  • Have someone standing behind you as a lookout checking for falling branches and to let you know when the tree begins its descent so that you know when you need to leave the area.

  • Determine which direction the tree will fall in. Be sure to stay out of that area and clear anything from that area that could get damaged.

  • Map out an escape route. When the tree falls you should walk quickly away from the tree along your escape route. There should be two routes 45 degrees apart from each other on the opposite side that the tree will fall on. Be sure to clear these paths.

  • Attach a rope to the middle of the tree and hand the end of that rope to someone standing out of the fall zone.

  • Go to the side of the tree that you want it to fall on and cut a v-shaped notch into it that is about one-fifth of the trunks diameter in size. The notch helps direct the tree to fall in the direction that you choose.

  • Then go to the other side of the tree and begin cutting until you reach the middle point of the notch. The tree should fall away from you. At that time, walk quickly away from the tree.

  • If the tree does not fall right away, have the other person pull on the rope instead of attempting to cut into it again. It will eventually fall.

  • Never stand under a tree during removal. If it snaps too early, you could be in serious danger.

  • Finally, cut the wood into smaller pieces for firewood or whatever else you may need.

Tree Sap Removal Tips

Everyone knows that when handling trees and branches, sap often ends up everywhere and it seems impossible to get off. Here are tips for removing sap from skin, clothes and hair:

Removing Sap From Skin
  • Squeeze some alcohol-based hand sanitizer onto your hands and rub in. Then follow by washing hands.
  • Nail polish remover also works. Be sure to wash hands afterwards as well.
Removing Sap From Clothing and Other Materials
  • Apply rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to the sap spots and then wash the item in the washing machine.
  • Mayonnaise also works on materials like carpets.
Removing Sap From Hair
  • Try applying peanut butter or mayonnaise to the hair and let it sit for ten minutes, then comb through. This also works for pet hair.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Removal?

The answer is that sometimes homeowners insurance covers tree removal and sometimes it does not. A homeowner is responsible for the upkeep of their trees so if a tree falls or damages property due to neglect then a homeowner’s insurance policy will likely not cover that.

However, if there is a bad storm that takes down a perfectly healthy tree and damages property on its way down, then insurance could potentially cover it. It all depends on the particular policy details. Call your insurance agent to see if and when your policy covers tree removal.