Category: Tree Talk

This often asked, often googled question is difficult to answer, because so many variables must be accounted for in each tree’s individual situation.

Where is the location? Different parts of the country vary widely in their cost of living, and so too, the cost of tree services is obviously more expensive in areas with higher land values and higher costs of living. Here in Springfield Missouri we’re blessed with some of the lower costs of living in the USA. A tree that costs $500 to remove here could easily be $1000-$1500 on the east or west coast.

How large or small is the tree? Obviously a small tree will be far less expensive than a large tree.

What is under or near the tree in question? Trees over houses, buildings, pavement, electric lines, expensive landscaping, and many other possible targets will take more time, care, and effort to safely remove. Trees over valuable targets also represent significant liability to the company removing them. More time, more liability, and more difficulty all add up to more cost.

Can needed equipment get to where the tree is? Given 2 identical trees, one located next to the driveway where a bucket truck and chipper can get next to it, and another that is 150′ from the nearest truck access, you should expect to pay more to have the “no access” tree removed.

What techniques will be used in the removal? If it can be cut from the ground (felled whole) and then cleaned up, you’ll pay less. If a bucket truck is needed, or the tree must be climbed, that’ll cost more. If all the branches and trunk must be carefully lowered to the ground, that takes more time and more equipment, and will cost more still.  In cases where a crane is needed, that’s another big expense, and will probably double or even triple what that same tree would cost without a crane.

Is the tree live or dead? Does it have any or multiple major faults? Dead trees are more dangerous to perform work on. Trees with major faults, or multiple faults are also more dangerous and difficult, and will cost more because of this. Tree work is a very dangerous profession. Difficult jobs must be approached carefully, planned properly, and executed with precise skill. Taking care of tree problems as early as possible will save you money, allowing problems to linger about is dangerous, and will cost you more.

What type of cleanup do you want? If you only need the tree to be on the ground, costs can be minimal.  Chipping or hauling the brush will add cost, but is well worth all the mess being gone immediately. The limbs and trunk can also be cut up and/or hauled off, again adding to the cost. Raking and lawn repair to fix any divots complete the cleanup, without adding much cost, and leaving your landscape clean and ready for mowing or improvements. Having your contractor spell out exactly what cleanup they will perform is key to getting the most value for your money.

Are you leaving yourself open to “Hidden Costs”? Any reputable arborist or tree service should be able to complete your project for the cost you were quoted to begin with. In the event that the parameters of the job change (like large pieces of metal or concrete hidden in the tree, or a major fault is discovered which makes the original plan impossible) your contractor should contact you immediately with a revised estimate before continuing the project.

Lawn, landscape, and underground installations like septic systems, irrigation lines and sprinkler heads are easily damaged by heavy equipment. Only proper planning and protective measures can insure your landscape and underground installations remain safe.

The real hidden costs you need to be aware of are uninsured operators. It’s a too common, maddening scenario….Someone hires a low priced company without doing their homework, and somewhere in the work process an error in judgement or execution causes property damage. The guys who did the damage disappear, leaving the homeowner holding the bill for all the necessary repairs. Protect yourself by verifying coverage through the insurance carrier. Do not accept a printed page handed to you from the contractor, go directly to the source.

So how can you minimize your cost for your tree removal?

1. Compare apples to apples when you’re getting estimates. Ask lots of questions, and be sure you know how each company is going to do the job, and what cleanup they’ll perform. Consider the impact of different plans to your property.

2. Provide easy access to the tree. Moving things out of the way or removing a section of fence could save you significantly by making the job easier.

3. Allow the limbs to be chipped and the chips left onsite. They can be composted or used for mulching, and not having to truck them away will save you money on your tree removal.

4. Have the limbs and trunk cut into firewood sized blocks and left onsite. If you burn wood this is an obvious benefit, but even if  you don’t burn wood, it’s not difficult to get rid of free firewood to family and friends, and save money in the tree removal process. Most residential trees contain metal, and are not worth much as sawlogs, but if you wish to attempt to sell them, your tree service should be happy to cut them to the length you want and leave them for you.  Less material hauled off means less expense for you.

5. Hire only licensed, insured professionals. When an insured professional causes damage, you’re protected from the costs. When an uninsured person damages your property, you or your homeowners insurance will be responsible for the costs. Attempting to save by hiring a weekend warrior could cost you many times the expense of hiring a professional to begin with.

Those are alot of variables, and not really an answer to the question…..So how much does tree removal cost?

Well, the best answer is someone will have to come out and see the tree and location to give you a price.  If you’re in Springfield, or anywhere in southwest Missouri, Tree Solutions will be happy to give you a free estimate. Just give us a call at (417) 860-0436 to set up your appointment today.

Today I received a call from a gentleman who wanted an estimate to have a tree removed. One of the great things about running a tree service is that you never know who you’re going to meet tomorrow, or the stories and history they’ll take the time to tell you.

When I arrived at Tom’s home in north Springfield, he met me out front with a kind smile and a gracious handshake. We walked into the backyard, and spent several minutes looking over the Black Walnut tree he was wanting to have removed.

We walked around front so I could grab my briefcase and write out his estimate.  As we ducked into the garage to avoid the hot sun, I began writing and the conversation turned to fishing, then hunting as I showed off a picture of my (then) 13 year old son with his very impressive whitetail from last season. I’d noticed the VFW hat he was wearing when I first arrived, so the first chance I got, I asked where he’d served.

Luckily for me, I had time to sit and listen for a bit,  and I truly love the opportunity to hear stories from old vets about their days of service to our country. Tom told me stories of when he enlisted in 1950 and boot camp, getting shipped to Korea, the bitter cold of the Korean winter, and of the action his unit saw there. He told me about getting shot in the hip and stomach, and getting dragged off that bloody hill a couple hours later. Stories of men he served with, and men he saw die serving America.

Watching a war movie, or reading a book, or an article on the net is different from being there and hearing the re-telling first person from the perspective of the man who lived it. Seeing the memories flicker through his eyes as he talked, hearing the waver in his voice as he remembered good friends lost long ago.

So I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank Tom, and every American man and woman who’s served our country. And encourage everyone who reads this to spend the time next time you’re given the opportunity to listen to some of the memories and wisdom that our elder generations are happy to pass along. Without regard for our personal thoughts on war in general, or the decisions our government makes, our vets deserve as many moments of honor and respect as we can offer them. They’ve already offered their lives to protect us, and our way of life.

Thank you, to all who’ve served.

The tree? Tom’s Walnut had been struck by lightning years back, and still bore the large scar on the trunk from the injury. It had survived, and sealed the wound to a small extent, but it has been slated for removal to make way for new landscaping and a fence, and hopefully a couple new trees which will not interfere with the vegetable garden.

With a little luck, the job will be complete and I’ll have time to sit down and listen to a few more of Tom’s stories.

Many times lately I’ve been called to look at a young tree performing poorly. In every single instance the origin of the problem was related to improper tree planting, or landscaping issues which created problems after planting.

The two most common issues have been trees planted too deep, and trees with girdling roots constricting the trunk.

When a tree is planted too deep as a sapling it is destined to struggle along, never fulfilling it’s potential, and possibly dying at a very premature age. The first major structural roots of the tree should be at surface level. The root flare requires plenty of gas exchange, it must be able to breathe. When it’s planted too deeply, or has soil added after planting, the root flare is being cut off from it’s needed oxygen. As a sort of a double whammy, stressed trees are much more likely to be attacked by insects, putting them under even greater stress.

Girdling roots have several causes, becoming rootbound in plastic nursery pots and planted without correction, being planted with the burlap and metal cage still around the root ball,  poor soil conditions which turn roots inward, and others. Girdling roots have killed more than a few young trees, and only great care and effort in planting can prevent potential problems from becoming very real problems just as your tree is growing large enough to enjoy. Some girdling root problems can be corrected with a root flare excavation and careful pruning of the girdling roots, if the problem is detected early enough. In other cases, no correction is available and the tree is doomed.

The shocking part of these problems is that most of these young trees with root system problems were planted by a tree nursery or landscape company. The only two possibilities I can see as possible are either their tree planters are not trained to do the job correctly, or they just do not care. Whatever the explanation, poor planting practices result in premature tree death.

Perhaps if they could see the results of improper planting practices about a decade later they’d put more effort into ensuring the job was done correctly in the first place.

For anyone having a tree or trees planted, make sure you hire a knowledgeable, dedicated professional to handle the project, and avoid the heartbreak of losing a young tree you’ve been nurturing due to lack of knowledge or care in planting.