Trees are great assets for a property. They can provide summer shade both outside and for nearby rooms, they add to the natural beauty, they provide habitat for wildlife, and they can even be a place to play (tree swings, forts, etc.).

Unfortunately, there are times that tree removal is necessary. Here is a sampling:

• The tree is dead. As it rots, the trunk and limbs will get weaker and weaker. This presents a hazard of injury and even death to people and pets when limbs break or entire trees topple over. If a home, other structure, or car is within the fall zone of the tree or its limbs, there’s also a risk or serious property damage.
• The tree is diseased or damaged and unlikely to recover, so there’s no sense in delaying the inevitable and incurring the risks (see above). Signs of damage or coming trouble include a cracked trunk, interior decay, and leaning toward a home or power lines.
• Severe weather such as an ice storm or a powerful thunderstorm has damaged the tree to the point that it’s unstable and presents a hazard to people, property, or power lines.
• Whoever planted the tree placed it too close to the house. If the roots grow into the foundation and damage it, repairs can be extremely expensive.

Before you call an arborist or professional landscaping company to come remove a tree, there are some questions to ask and know the answers to:

Can I Do It Myself?

Unless the tree is very small and you can safely see to removal from the ground, you should never attempt tree removal on your own. It’s a dangerous job requiring specialized equipment and training, so it’s best left to a professional.

What’s Involved in Tree Removal?

Using special tools, a licensed professional cuts a tree into sections, starting from the top and working down to the bottom. For large trees, a crane is sometimes necessary in order to hold the tree and prevent it from landing on the ground, where it may cause damage.

What about the old days where a guy with a chainsaw or a pair of lumberjacks cut away at the tree from the base until it toppled over? Well, that could still work, and maybe it still does in the movies, but it’s a dangerous practice because where a tree falls can be unpredictable.

What If I’m Not Sure If a Tree Needs Removal?

Call a pro! Some services will provide a free inspection. Even if there’s a fee, it’s worth knowing for sure whether that tree you’re uncertain about poses a hazard. The professional who inspects your tree will recommend removal, selective pruning or other treatments to make the tree healthier, or just leaving it alone.

Is a Permit Required?

That depends on where you live and the local regulations. It’s always a good idea to research this yourself so you know for sure, but any good professional service will probably be able to tell you what, if any, permits are required. That’ll keep you clear of any surprise hefty fines.

Is It Necessary To Be Home at Removal Time?

No, it’s not. The tree removal specialist will arrange a time with you, and all that person will need is access to the property. For your own safety, they’d probably actually rather you aren’t present or at least stay inside.

How Expensive Is Tree Removal?

This depends on a number of things. Here are some of the factors that can affect the cost of tree removal:

• Height and diameter
• The condition of the tree
• Ease of access to the tree
• Disposal preferences (for example, whether you want the stump removed, branches hauled away, etc.)
• Possible charges for drive time or mileage

In general, tree removal cost ranges from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand.

Trust Your Landscaping to a Pro

LandArt Solutions is a fully licensed and insured service for landscaping installation, maintenance, and repair. Tree pruning is part of our regular maintenance services, so before you spend a lot of time exploring search results for “tree removal North Carolina,” give us a call and we’ll come out and take a look.

If some TLC is all that’s needed to do the trick, we can take care of that for you. If it’s a job for a full-time arborist, we’ll let you know and can provide some local services we know and trust.

For tree care and all your other landscaping needs, LandArt Solutions can show you why we’re a leader in the Fayetteville region. How can we help you? Let’s talk today!