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You’ll pay between $200 and $2,000 to hire a tree removal professional to cut down and remove a tree. The price difference depends on the size of the tree, its location and health, and any complexities that will affect removal, like a tricky location or proximity to your home.

Yes, in most municipalities, arborists or tree surgeons need to hold an arborist’s license, which usually requires specialized education and specific experience. Certified arborists must also pass an exam from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). In addition to a license, you should always confirm that the tree surgeon you’re hiring is fully insured, as this can help you avoid legal problems if the professional gets injured on your property. Keep in mind that some municipalities require tree removal and other services to be completed by a licensed arborist.

Stump grindings are usually safe to use in soil, but in some cases, it’s not recommended. Wood chips in particular can bind nitrogen in the soil, which will make it difficult for grass to grow. That’s why it’s important to remove most wood chips and use healthy garden soil if you want to cover the stump spot with grass. Large wood chips may attract beetles and could encourage the growth of fungi when they decay, so you may want to remove them when using the grindings.

Stump removal often includes a good portion of the roots, but not always. It ultimately depends on the method of removal. If you’re paying for chemical rotting or stump burning, then the roots will generally not be included. If you opt to pay more for manual removal or stump grinding, your stump removal professional will usually remove or grind down the larger roots. Root removal is important if you plan on placing landscaping features over the area in the future, as roots will gradually rot and collapse, leaving unlevel land behind.