Tree removal is an expensive process that requires extensive knowledge of the tree and area to be cleared.
The tree removal price depends on the size and type tree, time overall time taken for removal, distance from electricity lines or roads, etc.
The location where you remove trees also plays a major role in determining tree removal prices. Some areas might need special permission if trees are over a certain height limit or may even require demolition permits for some types of trees.
Some tree services companies charge per hour, which means they consider both times required for cutting down, moving, and disposing of all material used during the removal process. In Australia, you can expect to pay a tree removal company between $200- $300 per hour. Some tree removal companies offer flat rates for the entire process. You may need to pay for an arborist report before you think about cutting any trees down.There are some factors that influence the exact price of a tree removal job, including size, type, distance from power lines or roads, etc.
There are many reasons for tree removals. Maybe you have a fallen tree in your yard after bad weather. Or probably you want more space in your front yard. Whatever the reason for seeking tree services, the tree removal cost will vary greatly. Most tree services vary depending on the below.
The taller and larger trees are, the more expensive it will be to remove. Very large trees will cost more than small trees. A single tree will cost less than several trees.
Based on the size or tree species, you can estimate how much they weigh. Not all companies charge per truckload, so this is also an important factor when determining prices.
Some trees have are leafier and have more branches (e.g., gum trees) than others. Others have wide tree limbs that necessitate tree trimming before removal. Others may require climbing arborists to trim branches first. Such factors affect the final tree removal price.
Some factors that affect costs are the distance from utility lines, roads, etc., access points for equipment/materials delivery, steep slope or terrain where removal work is taking place, etc.
Listed below are some common methods used by tree removal companies to dispose of your tree.
This method of removing trees creates wood chips that must be disposed of at different locations. Most tree stumps can still be seen after this type of removal, which is why most professionals will not recommend it. How the tree waste will be disposed of will also affect the tree removal costs too.
A single machine hauls the entire tree out on its own roots or stumps with the help of cables. The process leaves no debris or damage except maybe some broken branches on the ground around the trees. These are more expensive than other methods but are more effective, especially if done correctly by experienced professionals.
This method requires one machine to pull the tree out using cables and another machine to cut off limb and /roots that hold tight into the ground. This should be a last resort as the process can cause serious damage to other trees that surround it.
Many companies do not use the tree felling method for safety reasons and the possible damage caused to surrounding property/vegetation. In case you want your tree removed without any chance of re-sprouting, you might have to turn it into chips or even pay for stump grinding as well.
Depending on the size and type of tree, digging can help excavate old root systems and parts of trunks. Digging for stump removal is time-consuming, requires special heavy equipment, and is not recommended unless there's no way around it.
It is costly to remove a tree. However, not all tree removal companies charge the same prices. The cost of removing a tree depends on the including size, type and location. As for the average price, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 - $300 per hour plus disposal costs. Some companies offer flat rates or give free quotes over the phone based on information like the number and types of trees you want to be removed, access restrictions, etc. In some cases, companies will provide a detailed tree removal quote after one of their professional arborists makes an onsite visit. On some websites, some companies have a tree removal calculator. By inserting details on the size of the tree, you can get an average cost of tree removal.
An arborist inspects your property and determines whether or not your tree is dangerous or just needs to be removed. They will also look at surrounding trees and determine how much room there is for equipment once they start cutting down your tree. If it's too crowded, this may change their price quote for you since it will take longer than expected. Some trees will be cheaper because of their nature. This is the case with palm trees. The same case applies to a dead tree.
The company removes any branches that are hanging too close to power lines, roofs, or roads. They will not remove any branches that are considered a hazard or too close to power cables.
The tree is cut at the base and lowered via crane, bucket truck, etc. If it's a large tree, this can take anywhere from 2-4 hours. Once it's down, they use a diesel-powered chipper to shred the entire tree into small pieces, approximately 1-2 inches in diameter each.
The wood chips are then spread out over your yard with a bulldozer. Tree waste should help control weeds. However, if you have other vegetation already growing in your yard, they may need to come back and add soil or topsoil before spreading the chips around. If there is damage to your other plants, the company should be responsible for fixing this.
In certain instances, depending on your location and other factors, some companies may have to rent a crane or bucket truck in order to get the job done properly. This should be factored into the original price quote you receive.
Most companies will remove any stumps that are left behind unless you want to plant something else in their place. If they're considered a safety hazard, this may be necessary. Stump grinding can also help avoid re-sprouting growth from your tree's stump later on down the road if the tree was removed incorrectly or has regrown since it was first cut down.
If you want your entire tree to come out but don't want to deal with having a stump there for aesthetic reasons, most companies will grind them down so that only about 4-5 inches of wood remain above ground.
However, grinding down a tree stump is more involving than cutting it down and taking away the wood chips.
A qualified arborist comes out and assesses the damage to your yard as well as surrounding trees.
They'll determine where to place the drill in order to drill deep. A large drill will then be placed into the ground near the stump. Once it penetrates through several feet of soil, they'll insert a larger drill bit so that they can extract parts of the roots system along with trunk sections.
The resulting stump grinder does a lot of loud work and drilling at a very fast pace, so this whole process typically takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours
The large stump grinder is then extracted from the hole in the ground, and a smaller one is attached to clear away any remaining wood chips/roots, etc.
This whole process may take another 2 hours with the extraction and reattachment of the different machines.
After everything has been ground down, they'll leave an area around where your tree was at for several weeks, ensuring that no roots or weeds regrow in its place. The City of Sydney website has a great guide to applying to prune or remove a tree, but check with your local area.