You're digging through your garage, boxes fall and items crash all around you. Your hands are covered in a fine layer of dust, you've created piles of “throw away” or “donate” and you finally have found what you've been digging for: your leaf blower! Are you tired of the monthly task of digging out your leaf blower just to clean up the mess the trees on your property have left behind…only to do it again next month? Luckily for many of us, we don't have to deal with seasonal elements like snow, but it is no fun cleaning up tree debris in the sweltering heat, with the sun beating down on your skin, and everything you touch burning your hands, from the plastic handle of your leaf blower to the metal handle of your rake? There's got to be a better answer; tree removal! How much does it cost to remove a tree? Maybe in the middle of the night you had an aha-moment… remove the tree altogether and take back your summers! You could spend the day in the pool, get your nails done at the salon, or stay inside watching your baseball team chase the Pennant, instead of worrying about your tree! Today, we examine five different factors that determine tree and stump removal cost: size, condition, location, season and stump removal, that Arborists (tree doctors) look at when they go to properties to estimate tree removal prices. Knowing the factors of how much tree removal costs can help you to determine the price of removing your tree and stump and take back your summers! Size/Diameter of Trunk We all know that trees are like people – they come in various shapes and sizes. Some are short and stubby, some tall and full of branches and leaves. Some have been damaged in storms and are missing branches; some are barren and only resemble the rough outline of where a majestic and shade-bearing tree once stood. The height of a tree can be very important in determining the size and complexity of a tree removal project. In the local tree service business, the height of a two-story home can be used to gauge what is considered an average or tall tree by many Arborists. Typically, a tree that is as tall as or shorter than a one-story home is considered a tree of average height, and a tree that is taller than a two-story home is considered tall or large. Knowing this, it's easy to see how a large tree that overhangs a house or roof might cost a little bit more to remove than a tree that is short or small. According to International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist Dan Riggs, “typically the taller a tree grows in height, the crown will also grow outward and horizontally at the same rate, making the tree much larger and a bit more expensive to remove than a shorter tree that needs removal.” What does this mean? Large trees are more expensive to remove! Taller, fuller trees usually mean larger branches and more leaves, which can mean that a tree removal crew has to take smaller portions of the tree down at a time. In some instances where a large tree is overhanging a roof, garage or pool area, a crane may be required to aid in safe and professional tree removal, to protect the crew and your property. Taller trees also mean that the tree removal service will have more organic material to haul away, after the wood is chipped on-site using wood chippers & chipper trucks. The diameter of the trunk of the tree can also be a variable of tree removal cost because thicker, older woods can eat away at chainsaw teeth, and also dull the teeth of stump grinding machines if the stump is also being removed. Shorter, thinner trunks are usually comprised of less deadwood and are not as rough on tree removal equipment, which means that the cost of tree removal is usually much cheaper for thinner, smaller trees. Condition The overall health condition of the tree in question can also be a determining factor in the cost of removal. If a tree is in good health prior to the tree removal process, it is far easier for a tree service company to climb the tree and safely cut and rope lower the individual sections of the tree down to the ground safely. If a tree is sick or in poor health, it may be too dangerous for the workers of the tree removal company to climb the tree, oftentimes because a sick or dying tree begins to rot and decay far before the tree ever meets its death. In cases like this, a truck crane may have to be used to protect the tree service workers, increasing the cost of the tree removal process. According to I.S.A. Certified Arborist Dan Riggs, “Trees that have compromised health or unsafe structural integrity are removed in smaller sections, or by crane to ensure that all persons and property are protected.” To break down that geek-speak, that means that unhealthy or sick trees often need a crane for tree removal to make sure that nobody gets hurt. Location Just as in real estate, location is key! The location on your property (or place of business) in which your tree sits is also a contributing factor to the cost of tree removal. Trees that have been thoughtfully planted in easy-to-access or open spaces are typically of average cost to remove. Trees that are near retention basins, pools, neighboring walls, block wall fences, overhanging rooftops or near air conditioning or pool equipment may require the tree removal company to use extra safety steps, which can raise the cost of the tree removal project. As much as a dip in the pool on a hot, sunny day may seem appealing, you don't want your tree going for a swim! Some trees that overhang your pool, pool equipment, or pool deck that need to be removed may require a crane for safety, because they allow tree removal workers to safely work in areas (and under large trees) that might normally be too dangerous. While the use of cranes is fairly rare in the tree removal process, they come in handy if there's no other way to safely do the job. Season In many parts of the country, some seasons are more pleasant than others. Spring is always welcomed – seeing trees bud and bloom and kids going back to school is always a welcomed sight. Summer ushers in long days at the pool, beach vacations, and lots of ice cream and water park visits. Everyone is ready for the cool break from hot weather when Fall and Winter arrive. If your trees are healthy and don't have any visible health problems, it is best to remove them during their dormant season – between late winter and early summer. Dormant trees are usually leafless and are much lighter, which makes them easier to cut down and less mass to chip and haul away. But there is an even better reason to have tree removal done during the winter time; it's usually a lot cheaper! “It's no secret that tree removal companies are slowest in the winter months – October through March- and because of that, we usually can offer discounted rates to new customers, which keeps our crews busy and allows customers to save more money on their tree removal”, according to Certified Arborist Dan Riggs. Stump Removal – Stump Cutting Stump Grinding (or stump cutting) is also a contributing factor in the overall cost of tree removal. As with the size of the overall tree, the diameter and age of the trunk and stump also can affect the price of the tree removal process. Taller and older trees usually have harder wood and it in turn requires more labor – smaller cuts of the trunk itself and a longer time for the tree service professionals to grind out the stump with a stump grinding machine. The stump grinding machines used by pro tree removal companies (both residential and commercial), are very, very powerful machines. These gasoline or diesel powered stump removal machines chip away at stumps with their sharp teeth until there is no visible sign that the tree was ever there! These machines can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours to remove a tree stump, depending on the size and location of the stump. Many tree removal companies setup protective screens when grinding near glass windows, doors or vehicles to ensure that any landscape debris (small rocks, gravel) aren't able to go airborne during the stump grinding process. Tree removal can seem like a daunting, expensive and risky task to undertake. If you're looking for a reputable and experienced tree removal service, try out Scottsdale Tree Trimmers(TM) Tree Service. They are a highly-rated tree removal, tree trimming and tree service company that has been around for years!
