I'll come help once they are on the ground!
Am I crazy? Tree work
- Thread starter GLTHFJ60
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I can guarantee that I'm cheaper than everyone that has responded to this thread, and I paid to have a tree cut down in my yard. Too much can go way wrong real quick.
I have a friend/coworker that has a tree cutting business on the side. He has a bucket truck, mini excavator, etc. and is insured. His prices are usually competitive because he doesn't make his living doing it. May be worthwhile to have him give an estimate.
Jonathan Sapp
Sapp's Bucket Service
336-263-5385
Jonathan Sapp
Sapp's Bucket Service
336-263-5385
SFROMAN
SILVER Star
I had the same issue when I first moved to Florida. 4 huge trees were so close to the house that I couldn't even get the house covered under our insurance policy. I debated doing it myself but in the end I'm glad I paid. Especially after seeing all the work involved. One of the trees was also near the main power line coming into the house.
I did end up doing the other 20 some trees further from the house and saved money doing those myself. It was scary but I ended up using my winch on the 40 to direct the trees where I needed them to fall.
I did end up doing the other 20 some trees further from the house and saved money doing those myself. It was scary but I ended up using my winch on the 40 to direct the trees where I needed them to fall.
I think you are crazy. But that has nothing to do with the trees, separate questions you know....
Kidding aside, you have to have that risk/reward line, which I think is personal and different for each person, and situation. I would say for that amount of work and hassle, let them do it. Its not only money, its the time and risk you take. Think about other work around the house, you already saved a good chunk by doing your own garage laundry room and upgrades. This one, I would sit back and watch them do it.
In my 15 years here, I have yet to work with a contractor that will complete any quoted job, in NC they leave the last 20% to the homeowner. So pay them AFTER done of course.
Kidding aside, you have to have that risk/reward line, which I think is personal and different for each person, and situation. I would say for that amount of work and hassle, let them do it. Its not only money, its the time and risk you take. Think about other work around the house, you already saved a good chunk by doing your own garage laundry room and upgrades. This one, I would sit back and watch them do it.
In my 15 years here, I have yet to work with a contractor that will complete any quoted job, in NC they leave the last 20% to the homeowner. So pay them AFTER done of course.
I hired a tree company with a 10 ton crane back in 2009. they took 17 pines off my property. many were over 80 years old. they did it in 4 hours. I took the day off and watched em work. it was glorious! best part was after they left it looked like they were never there. 4k including stumps ground.
my neighbor also had 17 trees cut down. they did it the traditional way... took 2 days. hydraulic fluid everywhere... ground looked like a war zone after it was over. he paid 3400 bucks. food for thought...
my neighbor also had 17 trees cut down. they did it the traditional way... took 2 days. hydraulic fluid everywhere... ground looked like a war zone after it was over. he paid 3400 bucks. food for thought...
I had family that did tree removal work for many years. It's super dangerous and damage happens pretty regularly. Not something I'd recommend diy'ing.
lumbee1
Native American
My dad was offered several hundred dollars each for a few of the pine trees on this property. The removal company said they were perfect pole trees and would fetch good money. The trees are 40+ years old and absolutely straight from root to tip. You might make money out of the deal.
Go with the pros , they do it every day for a living ! Pine trees that tall that close to the house can spell disaster . Ask me about the metal plate in my head .
As a Sawyer for many many years I say hire someone. I have done stuff like this myself and got lucky. But if you do not hinge it just right it can spin and or do something worse even with wedges.
My vote is hire it out and I am cheap.
My vote is hire it out and I am cheap.
I've cut a metric s*** ton of trees but I also know my limitations. Tall and close to the house is where I draw the line personally. I'd get a few more quotes from insured companies.
To echo what @lumbee1 was saying, I am also trying to cut my yard's trees down. I have heard that an acre of pine can bring $10K. I assume I would have to pay to have someone bulldoze stumps, remove them, flatten the soil, etc, though 
I am not sure the "breaking point" of when it makes no sense for the buyer, but guessing it is more than an acre - no idea.
NC State has recommended Forestry people who can come look at your lot or just talk to you about hiring a forester to do the work.
May be worth a call to see if anyone will come take for free or even pay you:
Extension Forestry | North Carolina Cooperative Extension
I am not sure the "breaking point" of when it makes no sense for the buyer, but guessing it is more than an acre - no idea.
NC State has recommended Forestry people who can come look at your lot or just talk to you about hiring a forester to do the work.
May be worth a call to see if anyone will come take for free or even pay you:
Extension Forestry | North Carolina Cooperative Extension
I've never heard of anyone paying for pine unless you have acres of it. I live at the coast and I know a tree guy well. He has a old man that will haul off pine trees for free. He sells them for pulp but its like pennies on the dollar. The old man is basically saving the tree guy money by not having to dispose of the tree. I don't think @GLTHFJ60 has enough timber to make it worth it to someone. Just my .02
My side. I cut everything down myself but I pull the whole tree down as one. Even in my HOA neighborhood. That being said there is very little cutting. I put a winch line about 20ft up. I usually use a snatch block and some straps to other trees or anchored to another cruiser. Cut a small wedge then a small back cut. Then winch the crap out of the tree till it's on the ground. Once it starts I never let off the button. The 8274 can keep up with the faster trees. I've done a couple dozen big trees even a few beside the house and no issues. I'm crazy that way.
- Thread starter
- #35
Interesting. So you're using somewhere around 30-50% of the tree diameter as the hinge? Winching in the same direction as your fall path?
Yes winch it straight. Hence the need for an anchor for snatch block. Even if the tree breaks that winch is bringing it straight down. Usually the tree is at a 45 degree angle before it lets go.
I too PULL trees down . put a snatch strap up as high as I can and then start to pull the tree in the direction I want. then I will notch the front and then cut the back . pines still hold up with 2/3 cut out. then get in the truck and pull it down...your results may vary
Okay, I will admit to doing the same exact thing, strap as high as possible, pull it with the winch, chain saw from behind. Tree was 15 ft from house. One tree, one time. Evidence deleted. Unless my son kept pics on his phone
- Thread starter
- #39
That's the method I've used in the past for all of the sweet gums I've taken down. Max diameter for those is 12", max height maybe 30'. These pines range from 12-30" in diameter and are 50-70' tall.
Quotes I've gotten to take just 6 of these pines out have been between $1800 and $3000, cheapest being about $260 a tree. Sounds reasonable when you break it down to a per-tree price, but damn, I just wasn't planning on spending $2k on trees.
Got a modified quote to take out just one of these pines to allow me to back a trailer in dramatically easier. $375 cash for one tree. Going to take them up on it. Will have to live with that for a while.
Thanks for the advice everyone
Quotes I've gotten to take just 6 of these pines out have been between $1800 and $3000, cheapest being about $260 a tree. Sounds reasonable when you break it down to a per-tree price, but damn, I just wasn't planning on spending $2k on trees.
Got a modified quote to take out just one of these pines to allow me to back a trailer in dramatically easier. $375 cash for one tree. Going to take them up on it. Will have to live with that for a while.
Thanks for the advice everyone
This is NC, just wait for the next "every 8 years or so" ice storm to take them out for you.
