Posted: 5/27/2008 8:29:18 AM EDT
I have a large ash tree in my front yard that is desperate need of some trimming back. The picture is from last year, the tree is even larger now and the prances are hanging very low. Over my driveway they now touch my truck when I pull in. The part of the tree that I have highlighted in red really needs to go. It is going to cause problems if I take this much on one side off? I called a company and the quoted me $300 for taking care of it, I have access to a pole chain saw and a couple buddies to help me out, so I am looking to do this myself. |
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I've done some "at-home" tree trimming and I've watched/worked with my grandfather (worked for Davey-Tree for 30+ years) trim trees as well, so I'm not a complete novice on it, but what I'd do is cut that branch within an inch or so of where it comes out of the main trunk and then seal it with a pruning sealer. Do this to keep the bugs out. As long as the branch won't drop on your mailbox, just get your chainsaw running and cut it into logs for use in the wood stove or for a "wiener/marshmallow roasting fire for the kids". Be careful dropping it, though. You'll want to cut about 1/4-1/3 of the way up through the bottom of the branch, but no more or you'll get your saw pinched. If that happens, you'll be hosed and will need another saw or an ax to get it out. After that cut, bring the saw down from the top of the branch toward your first cut. That should keep it from fracturing back into the trunk. Trim off any splintery stuff that's sticking out and then seal it. ETA: I had to take out 4 pines from my in-laws house in CA a few years ago. They were around 40 feet tall and in a line against a retaining wall that butted against their neighbor's property. It wouldn't have been too bad, but I only had a lane around 10' wide and 40 feet long to drop them into. Had to drop each of them in 3 sections and only had a handsaw and about 100 foot of rope to work with. Being 25' up in a tree with no climbing gear and trying to cut it through enough to allow me to pull it over where I wanted it to go, but not cut so much that the wind broke it off (with me in it) wasn't very much fun. |
They quoted $300 for one tree (only two main limbs under 10inches to be cut and some branch trimming) If it was a whole yard of trees I would think that price would be fine but for one tree.... I am not surprised my neighbor pays his lawn company $65 a week for a $20 job. |
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you want to know if paying a professional 300 bucks is worth you not having to climb a tree with a running chain saw and the clean up afterwards? Not even to mention any possible damage to the tree or surrounding property? 300 bucks in my opinion is well worth the investment to keep a large tree and my home in good order. |