Removing trees yourself is not always an option. However, it can be very expensive to have someone come do it for you. This is a guide to saving money on tree removal.
We live in a mobile home park. There are California State rules for them which must be followed by all park owners. One of them is that if a tree poses a danger to people or property, the owner of the park must remove it. We had 2 trees removed from our space for free this way. You should look up the rule yourself to see if you qualify.
By DeBushe from Gilroy, CA
I have 2 sweet gum trees that are about 10 feet from the house . One is about 60 ft tall and the other is about 45. What is a fair price to have it topped or even removed?
By Adam E from Zebulon, NC
By frugalsunnie
12/07/2011
Check with your local extension service before accepting that lowest bid-the cheapest often isn't the best and you could be dealing with people who don't know how to safely remove trees of that size.
The extension service will have a page on its website telling you how to safely remove a large tree, and that information is what you should use in choosing a service. The company that knows how to safely remove trees that big will be happy to describe the process they would use for your job-if they either don't describe the right process, or are unwilling to tell you precisely how they will remove your trees then that is not a company you should trust to do a good, safe job.
Taking down a tree is complicated, dangerous work. It has to be done carefully or you will have a real mess! An inexperienced or unskilled tree removal can cause quite a lot of damage-tree roots could be wrapped around your gas and water lines for example, a qualified company knows how to figure this out before causing you unexpected surprises.
Part of the job estimate should include removing the debris (but see below for more info on removal of debris), and grinding any stumps left in the ground.
You can usually work a discount by asking the company to run smaller debris through a chipper and then using the resulting chips as decorative mulch; any good company will also offer to cut and stack the wood for seasoning to use in your fireplace. They will charge you for that.
Some tree removal companies will try to charge you for removal of 'debris' that they will actually sell on as firewood-make sure your contract precludes them making double dips! If they are going to sell your 'debris' on, you should get a bit of a discount on the removal.
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