5 Common Tree Removal Questions

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Whether you have just moved into a new home and have found yourself with a troublesome oak in the corner of your garden, or if you have noticed a potentially dangerous tree near an electricity line near your property, knowing where to start with tree removal can be puzzling. If you have no idea who to call or when is the best time of year to get your tree removed, then do not worry, as we have answered the top five questions for you below…

1. How much does it cost to remove a tree?

Typically, it can cost between $145-$2000 to remove a tree. This is dependent on a number of things such as the size and age of the tree, but generally you will be looking to pay around $10 per foot. Accessibility and the nature of the removal will play a large part in the price, with more difficult to reach trees costing extra.

Different species of trees will have a variety of trunk systems and densities; this can rack up the cost as the tree surgeon will likely need to assess and charge customers on a case-by-case basis. It is also important to note that the cost of chopping down trees covers just that – you will usually need to pay additional fees for clean-up and stump removal.

2. Who removes trees for free?

If you notice a tree being a nuisance in your local area, it is worth checking to see if the tree is part of a city program that aims to enhance the natural beauty of the area. If the city does indeed own them, they will often remove them for free if you mention that they are causing a problem. If a tree is near a power line you can call the power company, as they will have contractors who will remove trees that could potentially become dangerous.

You could also develop a mutually beneficial relationship with a local business. Some companies will be willing to cut down your trees in order to use the wood for their own products. Posting adverts in stores or on online bulletin boards like gumtree is a good way to advertise the free wood in exchange for tree removal.

Similarly, you could contact a log company to see if they are in need of extra wood. If there are multiple trees, and it is worth their time and energy, they will often do this to benefit their business. Sometimes they may even pay you if there is a generous number of trees. If you decide to do this, it is worth asking multiple companies to try and get the best deal.

If you fancy yourself as a handyman and have the necessary skills, you could even cut the tree down yourself. However, it is only advisable to do this if you can get an assistant and are confident in your abilities. This could even benefit you financially, because many businesses would love to buy the wood from you.

3. Why is tree removal often expensive?

As we have already mentioned, tree removal is not cheap, but this is for good reasons. As well as being affected by the size and difficulty to remove the tree, the condition of the tree could hike the price up. This is because a dead tree is far more problematic to cut down than a healthy tree, so tree surgeons will price this accordingly.

Access will also affect the cost to remove a tree. If a tree needs to be accessed by climbers with ropes, this is more dangerous than a bucket-lift to a tree in your garden and will result in a higher price. Obstructions that prevent the arborist from accessing the tree easily is another reason why the price might be more.

Emergency removal will also mean you incur surge pricing. If you need a tree removed from your property after a storm, then companies will often capitalise on this by charging you more for the convenience. They will also charge extra for debris and stump removal – these extras add up, and you could end up paying north of $2000 for a simple tree and stump removal.

4. Why is it cheaper to remove trees in winter?

Due to the demand dropping in colder weather, tree removal is approximately 20% cheaper during the winter months. With less time spent in gardens, many people forget that they need trees removed. As a result of this, tree surgeons reduce prices for all of their services in order to increase demand again and claw back business. Whilst this is true, if you live in a warmer state then the time of year may not make much difference to the price of tree removal.

Another reason is that deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter – this means that they are easier to work on as there is better visibility of their branches. This also ensures that clean-up is quicker as there are no leaves to dispose of, resulting in cheaper prices.

5. Should I remove a dead tree, or can I leave it?

Dead trees are a safety risk and should be removed swiftly, although sometimes trees may appear dead but only a section is actually deceased. Aside from visibly dead branches, there are a number of things to look out for when assessing the trees in your garden.

Excess fungi and moss growth all over the tree indicate that it is no longer thriving and is slowly dying. If a tree’s roots are taking up more space by growing along the ground rather than into the soil, it means that the tree is finding it difficult to manage the soil and is not getting the nutrients it needs. As well as this, green bark and stressed shoots at the base of the tree indicate that the tree is beginning to die.

Before you call in an expert for tree removal, you should ensure that there are no plumbing or electricity lines underneath the tree. It is really easy to check this with the local council before the removal begins, and can save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

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