5 Things to Consider Before You Hire a Tree Removal Service

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Should I Take a Tree Down?

Never cut down a tree before asking tree removal services if you should take it down. Is it posing enough risk to your property to outweigh the many positives your trees offer? For example, trees provide shade for your building which can significantly reduce your energy bills for air conditioning. Trees also add curb appeal providing a stronger, more positive first impression. Trees improve the local ecology and environment, providing homes for local wildlife and producing clean air.

They prevent soil erosion, so the soil on your property remains fertile, which helps keep other landscaping such as lawns, bushes, and flower beds healthier. Soil erosion can also impact the foundation of your building, steps, and other structures. If the tree has to come down, ask local tree removal companies for a tree planting services quote to replace them, so you don’t miss out on the benefits of trees on your property.

Is My Property or Neighboring Properties at Risk?

No doubt, if your tree is putting your property or neighboring properties at risk for damage, it needs to either be removed or trimmed. Emergency tree removal is also necessary once the tree has fallen or is severely damaged. The bigger the tree, the larger the limbs and the more damage they can cause. Roots can harm underlying structures such as driveways, sewers, and other exterior structures.

If your concerns are about possible hazards, you want to ask a tree disease specialist if your tree can be saved or needs to be removed entirely. A tree health assessment can determine if the tree threatens property and people. You owe it to your community, staff, and visitors to protect trees and, more importantly, ensure your property is safe.

Regulations Regarding Tree Removal

You might think because a tree is on your property, you have a right to remove it. However, many cities and counties regulate tree removal to help maintain a healthy number of trees in the community. There are even heritage tree ordinances to protect trees of a certain age or species. For example, if you are in the City of San Mateo, heritage trees include bay, buckeye, oak, cedar, and redwood with a 10-inch or more diameter measured four feet above the natural grade.

In Menlo Park, heritage trees are any tree with a trunk circumference of at least 47.1 inches, 54 inches above the natural grade. We think this is good because it protects the most beautiful and rarest trees in our communities. So, before you call in the big guns to come in and remove a tree, make sure you are adhering to local regulations with all the proper permits to avoid fines. Some towns even require a permit to hire a tree trimming service for heritage trees.

How Will Tree Waste Be Disposed of?

Your local waste management services will have specific restrictions for what they will and won’t pick up. As well, you have to dispose of tree waste in an environmentally friendly manner. Consider that tree waste can be managed very responsibly, including making mulch for use in your landscaping for your business and home. Logs can be sold for firewood, and many people will be willing to buy wood to build furniture, use in their gardens or for various decorative purposes.

Safety

There are many risks when tackling tree removal. How you cut the tree and limbs is essential because where they fall can lead to serious safety issues, including electrocution. You might have plans to simply call in a general contractor because their prices come in lower than a certified arborist. When branches touch electrical wires during tree removal, they pose a severe hazard for anyone below. If the area is wire-free, falling branches also pose a risk when the proper process isn’t followed.

Our team knows how to perform the work by safely cutting large branches and then working on the trunk. Even our experienced team can’t always predict where branches will fall, but we take precautions to avoid danger and damage to people and surrounding property. We have the certification and training to expertly remove a tree that can’t be saved.