Tree Removal Service: Everything You Need to Know

Getting a tree removed can be a relatively painless process. However, it can become a hassle if you don't do your research. As a homeowner, there's a good chance you may someday need the assistance of a tree removal service to safely cut down and haul off trees on your property. Many people especially need professional tree removal after severe weather - such as a tornado or hurricane - that can rip up shrubs and trees and leave heavy and dangerous debris littered around yards.

A good, trustworthy tree removal service can become a necessity after a storm. Your home is one of the biggest investments you will make in your life, therefore you'll want to keep it safe from fallen trees or branches that could cause massive amounts of damage. Plus, if you hope to add on to your existing structure, you may need to move trees out of the way to make room for the work.

With that said, don't trust tree removal to just anyone. Felling a tree and hauling it off might seem simple enough, but doing so while taking the right kind of safety precautions in a densely populated urban environment takes skill. You need a professional with know-how and the right equipment for the job.

A tree removal service can grind up any stumps in your yard.

Reasons for Tree Removal

There's a host of reasons for why you might need tree removal services. Although many homeowners require an arborist to cut down and haul off dead limbs after severe storms, inclement weather isn't the only rationale for removing a tree.

Here are a few other common reasons why you might want to clean your yard up a bit:

Remodeling Your House
While most people enjoy the shade of an old tree, sometimes hundred-year oaks or even saplings can get in your way. Many homeowners decide to add on to their houses by building an extension for a garage, a guest house or just to add a few more rooms for a growing family.

If a tree or several happen to block the progress of the build-out, you'll need an arborist service to cut down the trees and dispose of the debris for you. A professional tree service can advise you about the best way to chop it down as well as remove the stump so contractors can get to work on your remodel.

Getting Rid of Leaves
Some homeowners who pride themselves on their lawns and keeping their grass green inevitably decide to remove a few troublesome trees from their yards. A day or two of tree removal equals fewer fallen leaves to rake when autumn arrives.

Removing Eyesores
Not all trees are beautiful spruces, pines and maples. In fact, you could decide to cut down a tree in your yard solely due to it being an eyesore. Doing away with an ugly tree can improve the beauty of your property and possibly raise its value in your neighbors' eyes, as well as when it comes time to sell your house. 

Infected Trees
Another common reason people decide to remove their trees is disease. Both seedlings and older trees are susceptible to infections and diseases that can rot their insides or the bark on their outsides.

Fungi and pests are the usual culprits that turn trees from healthy saplings into rotting timber. Common ailments include canker tree disease, an illness affecting hardwood deciduous trees and caused by fungi. Cankers appear on a tree's bark and the disease slowly makes its way into the insides of the tree.

Sometimes, trees die prematurely because of pests like woodpeckers or bugs, such as the emerald ash borer, which burrows holes in the trunks of trees.

If you think a tree on your property might be sick, it's best to contact a certified arborist rather than one that doesn't have an accreditation. It's also smart to call one as soon as possible before the disease spreads. An expert can identify the ailment and advise you on the best ways to nurse your tree back to health, whether that involves watering it more or spraying insecticides around it.

Other Services

Keep in mind that tree removal services do more than just cut down trees and dispose of the debris. It could be the trees in your yard simply need their branches trimmed and pruned.

Needing a Trim
Arborists can prune back branches if your tree is growing too close to your house. They can also trim any parts of the plant that obscure traffic signs or spread into your neighbor's yard.

A tree removal service can also keep your trees healthy by cutting down problematic branches that intersect each other.

However, be wary of any tree removal service personnel that say they will "top" your tree for you. You'll know you're not dealing with a professional if he or she advertises that they perform topping services. Topping is when a tree's branches and its top are carelessly cut off. This type of pruning is harmful to your tree and could kill it.

Stump Removal
If you want not only the tree removed but its stump, too, an arborist can help you with that by grinding it down using a special machine that chops it up into wood chips. One of the benefits of this method of removal is it grinds the roots of the tree as well and can spare the soil and grass from being ripped up.

Planting New Trees
Nobody wants a treeless yard. While you'll want to cut some unruly or ugly saplings down, you might decide to plant new seedlings. An arborist can show you the best species of trees for your area and yard, as well as how to care for them.

Average Costs of Common Services

It's always smart to contact several tree removal service companies to get written quotes for the job, whether it's simply hauling off a fallen tree or actually cutting one down.

Trimming
The average cost of trimming trees varies a great deal depending on how tall and large the tree is. Trimming or pruning a 30-foot tree can cost anywhere from $75 to $400. However, pruning taller trees, like oaks or pines, is a bigger job which runs from $150 to around $900.

Cutting Down and Stump Grinding
Completely cutting down a large tree and removing it from your property can cost over $1,000 with stump grinding added to the cost. The average price for stump grinding also varies given the diameter of the stump. Many arborists charge by how many inches per diameter the tree's stump is.

How to Find a Reputable Arborist and What to Ask

There are a few steps you should take to find the best tree removal service for the job. Don't just go with the lowest price quoted. Here are some things to keep in mind before hiring a professional:

• Do a search for online reviews and ask friends, family and neighbors for recommendations.
• Is the company properly insured? Only use arborists that carry on-the-job insurance and ask to see proof of it before you sign anything.
• Ask the arborist or business to walk you through how they will complete the work and what kind of safety measures they plan to take.
• Request an itemized invoice and a written estimate for the job.
• While the tree is on your property, you might not have permission to cut it down. Familiarize yourself with your state and local rules about tree removal.
• It could be your tree is a special species that's protected under a preservation act. Consult your municipality before hiring an arborist.
• Remember to never hire a door-to-door tree removal service or a company that asks for payment upfront or before the job is totally complete.