What Are Tree Services?
Whether you live on a heavily wooded lot or a suburb with ornamental trees, you’ve likely thought about having tree services done at your home. Residential tree services projects range from land clearing and tree removal, to tree trimming services and everything in between.
If you have a damaged tree, a sick tree or a tree that is threatening the structure of your home, you might need to have it removed. It’s best to consult with tree removal experts in these cases because removing a tree yourself can be dangerous.
In order to avoid major cleanup in the future and the high cost associated with it, you might also want to consider regular tree pruning for your lot, which can keep trees healthy and prevent compromised trees from damaging your home.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the basic tree services that are offered, what they involve, and how much they cost.
Do You Need a Tree Service?
You might need to hire professionals for a tree removal project or general tree services if you’re looking for help with the following:
- Removing a damaged tree
- Removing a leaning tree
- Pruning a tree for general upkeep, aesthetics and to prevent damage down the road
- Removing a tree that is threatening your home’s structure
- Removing an invasive tree
- Grinding and removing a stump after a tree has been removed
- Removing a sick tree that has fungus or another disease or pest problem
- Removing a tree to install a fence or other structure on your property
Tree Removal
Homeowners need to remove a tree from their property more often than you would think. Tree removal can be necessary due to an emergency, or for home improvement or home value purposes. Tree removal cost will vary based on the size of the tree as well as the tree type and location.
Below, learn when you may need to have tree removal services done at your home.
When to Remove a Tree
There are many reasons why you might need to have a tree removed from your property. Here’s just a few:
- Damaged trees. You might need a tree removed from your property if a storm has damaged it, or if the tree is sick and about to fall as a result of a disease or another type of infestation. In these cases, consult with your insurance company first to see whether removal is covered in your policy as a preventative measure. Similarly, the removal of damaged trees might also be covered if you can show that the tree fell during a storm or other kind of major weather event.
- Trees that are too close to your home. As trees grow and become older, they may become too close to your home and threaten the structure. During a storm, these trees can become a risk to your safety, so it’s often better to remove them sooner rather than later.
- Exterior remodeling. You might also find that in making improvements to your lot, you need a tree removed in order to build a shed or install a fence. In these cases, you will likely need the entire tree removed in order to get your permits approved for the new structures.
Tree Trimming
Tree trimming is a great way to keep your landscaping looking nice year round, to prevent damage or cleanup following storms and other weather events, and to keep your tree healthy. It’s a good idea to invest in a tree trimming service to:
- Maintain tree health. Depending on the type of tree you have on your property, regular pruning and trimming can help to keep the tree thriving and flowering at the proper times of the year.
- Prevent damage. If you have a tree overhanging your roof, trimming can help to prevent associated damage to your home. Also, removing dead branches can protect your home in the event of a storm that might otherwise knock over compromised trees.
How Much Does Tree Trimming Cost?
Tree trimming services are relatively affordable, which is why so many homeowners find a trusted tree trimming service to do routine pruning. Regular tree trimming costs will vary by location and the type of tree that needs serviced, but in general you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $750 per tree.
How Often Do I Need a Tree Trimming Service?
It is generally recommended that newly planted trees should not be pruned or trimmed in the first two years. This allows it to properly grow. After two years, tree trimming should be done every one to five years, depending on the size and type of tree, and where you live.
The best idea is to find a local tree trimming service that you trust, and reach out to them for expert advice on your home and landscaping needs. The pro will inform you how often you will need tree trimming services done. When the time comes, you’ll know who to call and what it will cost.
Stump Removal
Tree removal services typically refer to the work required to remove a tree from the ground up. What’s left behind is the tree’s stump and the complicated underground root system you can’t see. To remove the tree stump from your property, you will need a stump removal professional.
Removing a stump is difficult because it’s often the largest, strongest part of the tree and it grows deep in the ground. You can sometimes remove a smaller tree stump on your own using a chainsaw or other tools. However, it is typically recommended that you pay a professional to grind down a tree stump and remove the wood chips and sawdust left behind.
How Much Does Stump Removal Cost?
The cost for stump removal will increase depending on the size of the stump and type of tree. In general, you can expect to pay between $50 to $500 per stump.
Stump removal is sometimes included in the cost of tree removal, but it’s often a separate charge you’ll need to ask about. Also, sometimes your property might have a stump from a previous homeowner’s tree removal work.
Tree Pest Control and Treatment
Pest control and treatment for your trees is a smart way to keep your trees healthy, while preventing emergency removal of trees down the road.
It is generally recommended to have a professional pest control company service your outdoor areas and landscaping quarterly, or once every 3 months. During this service, a professional will come to your property to spray for certain pests and disease common in the type of trees surrounding your home. Doing so can prevent invasive pests from attacking a healthy tree and prevent the tree from contracting diseases that will compromise their structure and integrity.
How Much Does Tree Pest Control Cost?
Specific tree treatments vary depending on your location, the size of your lot and the number and type of trees you have. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 per tree, depending on the type of treatment. It is worth it to check with your local tree service company to see if they offer subscription services or discounts on regular pest control services, so you can save money on an ongoing basis.
If you neglect regular tree pest control and notice you may have an infected or diseased tree on your property, you will have to call a professional arborist to come and inspect it. They will make a decision on whether it needs to be removed or treated. Removing an infested tree from your yard can cost $2,000 or more.
Tree Storm Damage
Whether it’s a tornado or a major thunderstorm, trees can be easily damaged by lightning strikes and high winds. This can often require emergency tree removal and cleanup in the aftermath.
If one of your trees has been knocked down or damaged during a storm, start by calling your insurance company to see what’s covered. Then, get in touch with a tree service professional who can help to remove fallen branches, cut up fallen trunks and repair any damage to your home or other structures.
You might find that removing a fallen tree is manageable for you depending on its size and location. You might also be able to remove smaller debris around your property after a storm. It’s still a good idea to contact your insurance agency to make sure the storm is documented should you find other associated damage down the road.
Cleaning up after storm damage can cost anywhere from $200 to $2,000 per tree depending on the size and how much of the tree was felled.
Land Clearing
Land clearing is a term referring to the removal of several trees and other kinds of plants to make way for the building of major structures such as homes, garages, barns and fences. You may require this service if you are:
- Making exterior renovations to your home, such as building a deck, patio, outdoor pool or other types of landscaping
- Creating an addition to your home
- Building a new home on a tree-covered lot
- And more
This service typically involves felling several trees, removing their stumps and hauling away the wood. What’s left is a pristine lot of land that acts as a blank canvas for a building project.
The cost of land clearing depends on the size of the lot and the types of trees and plants present. In general, land clearing costs about $500 to $2,000 per acre if you have a few trees here and there. For heavily planted lots, you’ll see price tags from $3,000 to $5,600 per acre.
Landscape Services
Maintaining your lawn with a regular landscape service can go a long way toward saving money on tree removal services over time. It can also help to maintain or even increase your property value, as curb appeal is a major factor in home selling.
Not everyone needs landscape maintenance from a professional, but every time you mow your own lawn or weed your own flower bed, you’re engaging in landscape maintenance. If you have several trees on your property, you might find that hiring a professional landscaper to trim and prune those trees and treat them for pests and other diseases is a worthwhile investment that can prevent damage to and from those trees down the line.
In general, these services are done on a weekly or monthly basis and can cost about $50 to $75 per visit if you maintain those services on a regular basis. If you’re having more done during each visit, those costs will climb.
You might also need a landscape service if you are making large scale changes to your outdoor landscape design. This type of landscaping service would cost more, at about $50 to $150 per hour.
Arborist Reports
An arborist report is like a doctor’s visit for a tree. A certified arborist will come in to inspect your tree and tell you everything about its age to its general health as well as details on any diseases or damage it might have suffered. From there, a report can provide advice for how to handle a tree in question. Arborists are often called “tree surgeons” for this reason.
An arborist report can tell you how long a tree is expected to live based on its location and the health of the surrounding soil. It can also tell you what might happen to the property if a tree is removed. Some trees offer shade and wind mitigation, for example. An arborist call also tell you what might happen if you choose to remove a tree on your property.
These reports cost anywhere from $300 to $500, depending on the number of trees included.
Finding Arborists Near Me
Looking for a local arborist to remove or maintain your trees? Be sure to look for someone who is both licensed and insured. Believe it or not, you must have these certifications for tree removal projects iin most states.
Because tree removal is dangerous both to humans and structures, it’s best to hire a professional arborist for this job. Ask about their qualifications, read reviews and get a few quotes before deciding on which company or individual to hire. Hiring a pro can help you to avoid injuries and damage to structures on your property.
Modernize can help you match with three to four top-rated arborists near you.
