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Tree Removal - The Process
Unfortunately, sometimes trees need to be removed for various
reasons. Over the years we have removed thousands of trees from
every different site imaginable. No two trees are alike; each one
posing different challenges. The equipment and methods we utilize
are about safety, efficiency and creating minimal impact to the
surrounding areas from where trees are being removed. We take
great pride in going the extra mile to insure that your property
will look the same as it did before the tree was removed.
Step One - Evaluation Many factors come
into play when making the decision to remove any tree. Among them
are history of the site, age, species, and size.
The presence of a target or potential target, meaning if the tree
had a limb break or if it fell completely over, would it hurt
anything or anyone? For instance, a larger oak may be declining
but not necessarily need to be removed right away. It may be
suggested that the removal of large dead limbs be done now and a
new tree be planted close by and be somewhat established by the
time the larger one is to be removed. I have always felt strongly
that any dead, diseased, or dying tree that poses a risk to people
and / or property be removed. Over the years I have seen tree
failures firsthand that have resulted in property damage, personal
injuries and even death. The sad thing is most of these accidents
could have been prevented had the tree been pruned or removed
prior to failure. It is always better to remove the tree in a
planned, controlled manner rather than removing it from the roof
of a home after it has crashed into it causing thousands of
dollars in damage. Sometimes a tree is not a hazard; it just may
be in the wrong place, or creating a nuisance. Once it is
determined for whatever reason that it needs to come out, you must
go to step two. Step Two - Permitting
Check with your local municipality and or homeowners association
to see if a permit is required. In some cities the fines can be
quite severe if one is caught removing a tree without the proper
permit. Usually if there is a valid reason for removal the permit
application is approved. One major frustration I have experienced
is every city has different rules regarding tree removal. This can
differ for allowed sizes under certain diameters. Some cities
protect invasive species like the camphor tree while some cities
will encourage you to remove them. Some cities will let you cut
down any palm tree since it is not considered a true tree while
other cities require a permit to remove any palm regardless of
size. If you have lakefront property do not attempt to remove
vegetation from the shoreline without a permit, this includes
aquatic weeds. This can get real sticky real fast and you could be
getting visits from as many as three government agencies.
We can pull the permit for you. The prices can vary from as little
as $15 to as much as $100. Beware of contractors who say you don't
need a permit or insist that you pull it yourself. Most cities
require proof of workman's compensation to be on file before the
permit is issued to the tree removal contractor. Remember fines
are usually solely against the property owner so it is in your
best interest to obtain all necessary permits.
Step Three - Locating Underground Utilities
Since machinery and / or trucks will need access for the removal
of a tree, all underground utilities must be located; especially
for the location of the septic tank, irrigation valves, water
meter, and underground propane tanks. Usually if the irrigation
and the main water lines were installed correctly to code it
should be deep enough in the ground that it will not break when
driven over. All other utilities can be located simply by dialing
811. If you are going to dig for any reason it is the law that you
must call first for underground locates. This is a free service
and can save you a lot of grief. Step Four -
Determining Access and Staging During the
initial time of estimate, a plan as to exactly how the tree is to
be removed is discussed and written down. At that time all
foreseeable issues are discussed. This includes what equipment is
to be used and where it is to be driven. A full system check of
the sprinklers and marking of the locations of the heads is done.
This insures that it is all in good working order before we begin
and that heads are not run over during the course of the job.
Being upfront and discussing potential problems is key. When you
have a massive tree in a backyard, it has to go from point A to
point B. It may require crossing over the driveway and / or turf
areas fifty or more so times with equipment. If a crane is used
every section of the tree can be lifted out with no impact except
where the crane is set up. Since equipment may have to be driven
over the driveway and / or sidewalk, we cannot be held liable for
any damage to concrete or paved areas. Concrete will usually break
at the edges. This can be avoided if the transition point is
higher than the concrete. To do this we place 2 x 6 's next to the
edge of the driveway or sidewalk so when equipment is driven over
the edge the weight is transferred to the boards. On newer
concrete driveways or pavers we will place heavy duty plastic
sheeting and plywood over these surfaces. This eliminates
stains from tire tracks and sap running out of the logs. When we
have multiple trips going back and forth over grass, plywood and
rubber mats are used as a roadway. This helps out
tremendously in preventing damage to the grass especially in the
summer when it rains frequently. Even though all of this
preparation takes additional time, the end result is work the
effort. Step Five - Stump Grinding
One of the best ways to remove a stump is by using a stump
grinder. The machine has a large wheel with teeth and acts as a
router, shaving off a few inches at a time with each pass. These
machines are high maintenance and replacement teeth depending on
the size of the grinder can cost hundreds of dollars. Some of the
biggest complaints I have heard about over the years are:
They removed the tree but never came back
to grind the stump. They did not go deep enough, it was only
half done. They ground the stump but left a mountain
of stump shavings.
The stump grinder throws all of the shavings
backward so if this material is not removed, the machine tends to
drive over it raising the height of the machine, reducing the
depth it can grind. This is usually only a problem on very large
stumps since the amount of excess soil and stump shavings can be
quite large. Typically we will grind for awhile then pull the
machine away and excavate the shavings with a tractor. This
process is repeated and may take several attempts. Only by doing
so can we insure that we got it all. Sometimes grinding the stump
and removing the shavings takes longer than the time it took to
actually remove the tree itself. Always get this in writing as to
the depth of the grind. If surrounding roots are included and if
hauling the shavings away is part of the deal. For example, if the
contractor's machine is too small for the job or if the teeth are
dull he may cut corners and not go as deep as he said he would.
Do not be afraid to take a pitchfork and probe around and check
out the depth. Do not pay until it is done according to the
written contract. A reputable company will send someone out
immediately if something was missed and not give excuses as to why
it was not done right the first time. Step Six
- Final Walk Through Before final payment,
take a minute and walk around the site to check for things that
may have gotten damaged. It is the nature of this business that
sometimes things get broken. No matter how small it is to you, it
is important that we make it right. We never ask or accept any
money for the job until a problem is repaired or replaced to your
satisfaction. |
