Removing a giant tree?

My neighbor has a 10-story tree in his backyard that was pretty scary to watch during Sandy. Judging from the giant old trees that fell over in Carroll Park during the storm, I reckon that its roots aren’t that deep or wide and its presence seems incredibly risky to several homes in the area, including the one with the tree (which is not owner-occupied). I planned to ask him about it once I had an idea of the options. Does anyone have experience with this situation?  Is cutting down a huge backyard tree possible? How expensive is it? I suppose it’s possible for us to have it trimmed, but that would seem to only put off the threat.

reagan9000

in Garden Design and Maintenance 11 years and 11 months ago

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reagan9000 | 9 years and 4 months ago

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Figured I’d follow up with the resolution. My neighbor contracted with [Family Tree Service](http://www.familytreeserviceinc.com) to assess the tree and recommend how to proceed. They determined that the tree is healthy, but needed to have some very long top-branches removed. The contractor had to work out of my yard, since that’s where the cut branches would end up there. Family Tree Service did a fine job; there’s less to the top of the tree than there was before, and the health/strength of the tree has been assessed, so was a happy ending. After agreeing on what would be cut, they basically send a guy up with spiked boots, a rope, and a chainsaw to rappel up the tree. What an fascinating specialty – not for anyone with a fear of heights. The contractor advised in advance that they would not put construction paper out to protect my hallway (workers would be dragging branches out to the wood chipper on the street), so I had to provide and set that myself. I wasn’t paying the contractor and it’s not a huge inconvenience, but still found that a strange requirement. They swept everything, and cleaned out some brush and large branch piles (which were mostly from my neighbor’s tree) as well. Thanks everyone for your contractor recommendations; I have some smaller trees in my backyard and may contact them.

edlandscapes | 11 years and 6 months ago

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Our service is matching in according to your mentioned post. By visiting this website [edlandscapes.com/services/professional-gardening.php] you can get more information about removing a giant tree. Thanking you ———— Edwards Donovan Landscapes

jeanmarine2 | 11 years and 11 months ago

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We had a small tree taken out a few weeks ago – got a good price (under $300, usually minimum price is $300 but they are based a few blocks from me so it was easy for them) and they took the branches through the house and didn’t seem to scratch the floor or walls but my heart skipped a beat watching them walk through the house with all those branches and sticks not bundled or anything.  They didn’t take the entire tree since metal had grown into the tree about 1-2′ up but it got us where we needed to go – were making space to build a deck over where the tree location was.  But this was a small tree – maybe 15″-18″ in diameter and up to our 2nd story, with branches another 20′ high (strange looking tree).  it wasn’t a danger to anyone.  we have a neighbor with a huge tree that is starting to scare me, so we may be in a similar boat soon.

Arkady | 11 years and 11 months ago

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All of these have good recommendations on here:  They give free estimates & would tell you if the tree is at risk. Clearview Prospect Urban Arborist Ken Nicely Lawrence Schultz Family Your Tree Tree Care Rite Way

marie-helene | 11 years and 11 months ago

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I recommend Justin at Arborpolitan.  I have seen his crew take down a 50-ft tree down to chunks small enough they could be taken through a brownstone garden apartment, without a scratch on the walls.

Putnamdenizen | 11 years and 11 months ago

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An arborist might be able to tell you if your fears are justified.

brucef | 11 years and 11 months ago

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We had a large tree taken down this past early spring (without leaves) It was a maple that grew quite large over the 35 years we were there. We used Clearview? and it was done in a day – $2800.00\. They came with 8 guys and one climbed up and cut off upper limbs until he started taking down trunk sections. We were prepared to hand truck through the house but they figured out a route through a neighbors yard and a vacant lot.