Tree Removal: How Does It Work?

One of the most overlooked parts of a home is its landscape. Most homeowners are too preoccupied with maintaining the appearance of their home’s interior that sometimes they forget about their yards. As a homeowner, you have to remember that it is also important to consider the maintenance of the exterior in addition to keeping the interior of your home in excellent condition.

When it comes to property maintenance, we all should not forget about the trees on the premises and also how important pruning is. We understand that most people think tree removal is only about cutting trees. But it is actually more than that. Continue reading to learn more about the process of cutting trees on domestic and commercial premises.

What Is Involved?

If you have trees in your backyard that are getting too big, your best option may be to have them removed by professionals. But what exactly happens during the tree removal and how are things done? What do you need to do before removing the trees?

The removal process will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the trees. The location or the plot where the trees are planted will also affect how the removal takes place. A tree that is close to a house or near a power line is much more difficult to remove than one that stands alone far from any buildings.

But generally, removals will follow similar processes.

2 Tree Removal Methods

To anyone not familiar with tree removals, know that there are two main methods involved.

1. If the tree has enough space

It is possible to cut the tree down in one piece if it has enough space surrounding it. Professionals will cut the trunk from the direction that it needs to fall. They then cut the trunk up into smaller pieces once the tree has fallen to the ground.

2. If the tree is close to buildings

This second method is not practical or safe if the tree is close to a power line or buildings. In this scenario, professionals will scale the tree and cut off branches individually from the top down. They will then secure the branches with ropes to prevent the tree from falling onto buildings or power lines.

At this point, you must be wondering what will be left. For typical removals, trees would be cut down to a low stump and their branches would either be removed or cut into regular pieces for use as firewood.

It really depends on what the property owner wants. If you wish to get rid of the stump, you can inform the professional tree cutting company to have it removed entirely. You can also opt to have it ground down until it is no longer visible.

Be informed, though, that you will be paying an additional charge for stump removal. This is because it involves more labour than leaving the stump in place.

What Preparations Should Be Made?

So, you are planning on having a tree on your property removed. Before you go about hiring a tree cutting service, there are some preparations you have to make first. These steps are nothing too onerous, really.

When you prepare your property in advance, you are essentially making things a bit easier for the tree surgeons. The tree in your yard can be removed quickly with the minimum of fuss, and everyone can safely enter your property right after.

Here are some preparations you can do in advance.

1. Make space for trucks and equipment

You probably have an idea by now that there will be a lot of equipment involved in cutting trees. As such, you have to make sure that there is enough space for the professional tree cutters to park their vehicles. Apart from their large truck, there will also likely be a wood chipper.

They will need this equipment to easily access tree limbs or trunks. As the wood chipper is usually towed behind a truck or mounted on wheels on frame, it is better if your company of choice parks closer to your property. You may want to reserve some parking space for them in advance.

2. Clear route to the tree

The professional cutters will need to go back and forth from their truck to the tree. There should be a clear route to get back and forth easily. You don’t want them to try to squeeze past the other cars parked on the driveway when they’re hauling a piece of equipment or wood.

Things will be a lot easier for them if they have an alternative route to your yard. If possible, you can ask your neighbours about this and inform them of what is going to happen.

3. Remove breakable items

If you have a big tree that needs to be removed, then there will surely be a lot of branches involved. If you have breakable items near the tree (plant pots, tools, furniture, ceramic decorations, etc.), you have to move them out of the way. It would be much better if you can move them to a different location.

The whole process will take so much longer if your tree cutting company has to move the items themselves. You might receive extra charges for the additional time it takes to move these items out of the way. Additionally, try to keep your yard clear of any animals. They could cause a serious safety hazard not only to themselves but also to the workers.

4. Agree on what you need to get done

It’s always a good idea to arrange a consultation with a tree cutting company. That way, they can inspect the site and you can discuss your requirements. Do you want to completely remove the stump or do you want to leave it as it is?

Getting the stump completely removed is something that you would need to agree on in advance. If you decide to get it done once the work is over, then you may need to pay your removal company for another visit as it is not possible to do it in one go. Before the work starts, take the time to discuss your options.

You want to make sure that everyone is clear on what you require. This saves you money and time as you won’t have to call in the tree cutting company again if ever you decide to get some additional work done.

How Much Does Tree Felling and Removal Cost?

In this section, we will provide a list of tree-cutting prices so it’s easier for you to calculate a ballpark figure.

Regardless of your location, the average cost to fell a tree in the UK can range in price massively depending on different factors like the type, height, and diameter of the tree. Its position in the garden also affects the cost. The general rule of thumb is that the larger the tree, the more expensive it is since it requires more work.

Another factor is the ease of access. The cost will increase if it is more difficult or if it takes longer for the tree surgeons to get to the tree. On average, tree surgeons will charge £150-£200 per day in labour (including work with a general labourer or two).

If three tradesmen are doing the job, you will likely pay around £350 per day in labour costs. See below for the estimated costs of hiring a tree surgeon for tree removal.

Small Trees (less than 25ft)

Cost: £150-£350

Duration: 3-4 hours

Medium-Sized Trees (25 - 50ft)

Cost: £200-£750

Duration: 1 day

Large Trees (50 - 75ft)

Cost: £650-£1200

Duration: 1-2 day

Extra Large Trees (over 75ft)

Cost: £1000-£2500

Duration: 2-5 days

Note: These estimated costs already include cutting down the tree to its stump and removing any waste. Expect to add another £100-£500 if you want the stump removed.

What Are the Most Common Factors That Affect the Overall Price?

We previously mentioned above that the cost of felling a tree in the UK is dependent on many different factors. These factors are usually the position, condition, diameter, and height of the trees. Let’s go over each one of them below.

Location

If you remember, we mentioned that the position of the tree is one of the factors affecting the overall cost to fell a tree. This factor affects the price by up to 20%-50%. The trees that are close to homes, buildings, power lines, and other structures will cost more to remove than easily accessible ones.

Tree Height

Tree cutting companies also charge their fees depending on the height of the tree. Small trees are around 25 feet tall or less. Trees between 25 and 50 feet are considered medium. Large trees stand at around 50 to 75 feet, while the extra-large ones are over 75 feet.

Diameter

The cost of felling a tree also depends on its diameter. Thicker trees may cost more to remove. Take note that harder wood (like oak) may increase the overall price.

Condition

The condition of the tree also directly impacts the overall costs. Depending on its age, multiple trunk growths, decay, and the way it leans, you may have to pay a bit more for the removal.

Dead Trees

It’s quite unpredictable assessing the price of removing dead trees. Small ones are fairly easy to work on, but the bigger trees may prove to be quite a challenge. It will all come down to the amount of labour and also how comfortable and well-equipped the tree surgeons are when felling them.

Tree Felling and Removal: To DIY or Hire Professional Service?

Tree felling is not only a laborious task but also a dangerous one, especially if it involves large trees. This is why it is best left to professional tree cutting companies. However, if you are dealing with small trees and are planning on undertaking a DIY removal project, consider the following:

How tall is the tree?

If you want to remove a tree that is taller than your garage or home, your best bet is to hire a professional removal company. It takes a huge amount of work to fell trees that are not easily accessible.

Are there hazards nearby?

We mentioned this in the first few sections of this post and we’re mentioning it again: there should be no hazards or obstacles. It may be wise to let experienced and qualified tree surgeons take over the task of removing trees that are close to power lines and other structures.

What tools and equipment are needed?

Be sure to have the required tools and equipment: chainsaw, wedge, wood chipper, and more. Before you decide to undertake a DIY removal, you also need to have the expertise to use them. Additionally, you should have the means to haul tree branches and sections of the trunk after cutting it.

Do I Need to Remove the Stump?

Removing tree stumps is not really a requirement. However, it can improve the appearance of your landscape. Here are some reasons why stump removal is a good idea:

Eliminate trip hazard

Tree stumps are a tripping hazard to anyone who enters your property. If the stump is in an area often travelled, then the best decision is to remove it. Tree stumps in areas where children tend to play should also be removed.

Keep in mind that grass and weeds grow up around the stump. This can hide the fact that a stump exists, causing problems when someone is passing or even when you are mowing the yard.

Get rid of decay and insects

The natural course for dead trees is to decay. Decaying trees cause fungal growth later on and also attract unwelcome pests. By removing the stump, you are essentially removing the root cause of the problem.

Other Do’s and Don’ts to Remember

Here, we have gathered a few essentials to keep in mind to make tree removal safe and easy.

⦁ Use the right tree-cutting tools and equipment.
⦁ Do not attempt to remove large trees without professional assistance.
⦁ Do not cut trees from a ladder.
⦁ Use protective gear.
⦁ Only cut trees that are far from power lines.
⦁ Look out for tree decay.
⦁ Hire a professional tree cutting company when removing stumps.

Turn to the Tree Surgeons at Climbatize

If you need to remove an unwanted tree on your property, we at Climbatize are here to help. Specialising in residential tree services, our team can expertly handle tree removal to ensure that the exterior of your home looks just as good as its interior. Call us today to book our tree felling services.