"I was very happy with the work that American Tree Company performed at our home. They were here on time, we reviewed the work we wanted done; the removal of a large dead tree and trimming a large ash tree. The tree dead tree was down and cut up in about 20 minutes and the trimming was done in a short time. The owner and her helper had the downed tree and trimmed tree loaded up on a large trailer and the yard cleaned up in about another 20 minutes. Both the owner and employee made sure that I was satisfied with their work. I would highly recommend American Tree Company for trimming or removal of trees and shrubs in homeowners yards."
"Casen did an amazing job removing the bushes in my front yard, laying a beautiful bed of mulch, and replanting the bushes I had purchased. He was professional, knowledgeable, and provided great recommendations throughout the project. His work was completed quickly and exceeded my expectations. The transformation has definitely increased the curb appeal and value of my home. I highly recommend Casen to anyone looking for quality landscaping work!"
Your neighbor is not in a good position to know if your trees are truly dead or pose any kind of danger. That’s why hiring an arborist or tree service expert can be such an important part of the process. If the trees are still alive and don’t pose any threat, you’re in the clear (but you may want to document and photograph everything in case events turn sour down the road).
But if a tree is visibly dead and near the property line, you should remove it to be safe. If a dead tree falls on a neighbor’s property, they may have grounds to sue for negligence. If any branches on trees have died, it’s a good idea to cut them back for similar reasons.
Some trees, such as silver maples, birches, sycamores, and scotch pines, shed their bark naturally. If your tree is not one that does this, it might have fallen prey to pests, fungi, or diseases. It could also simply be suffering from an extreme weather change, such as a snowstorm or heat wave. If you’re still stumped, consulting with a pro can help you diagnose your tree’s specific problem.
Tree removal can be quite expensive, especially for larger projects, but you can use the following tips to help keep costs down:
Do the yard cleanup afterward yourself
Choose to leave the logs on your property and split them yourself
Opt to leave the stump in the ground and tackle stump grinding yourself
Pull permits for tree removal, if necessary, to avoid fines
Pay to have multiple trees removed at once
Remove tree in the late winter or early spring during off-season
Usually, trees cannot grow back after their stump has been ground, but some very hearty types of trees can. For example, if you have a black locust or Redford pear, the grinding will need to go deep to prevent them from growing back. Ask your tree service or stump removal expert whether your tree can resprout after its stump is ground down.
Leaving the tree stump and letting it rot is never a good idea, as this leads to insect infestations and other frustrations. Additionally, decomposing trunks are at risk for diseases that spread out to the remaining plants and trees in the yard, thus ruining your whole outdoor aesthetic. It's usually best to remove the stump at the same time you remove the tree.
The Pine Ridge, SD homeowners’ guide to arboricultural services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
How much does an arborist cost? This guide explains the cost of different services, ongoing expenses, and other factors to consider when hiring an arborist.
Tree inspections can ensure your trees stay healthy and safe, preventing costly damage. Learn how much tree inspections cost and what can affect the price.
Learn how to hire a tree root fertilization specialist with confidence. Find qualified arborists, understand costs, and get expert care for your trees.
