I need to have this backyard tree taken down but am worried that a tree-trimming bucket truck might crack the relatively new driveway, and the white wood fence will have to be replaced once it's pulled up to get a truck in.

Before I start calling around and sounding stupid, does anyone know if in general it can be taken down without bringing a bucket truck in there? Thanks.

My neighbor takes down much larger trees than that without any bucket truck involved. That looks like a relatively easy job.

It looks like there's a bit of lean toward the house/patio, but it's not that big. I'd notch it properly and tip it over.

I had seven trees removed without any heavy equipment. No ruts in the yard, logs were wheelbarreled to the street. I also had the stumps ground and topsoil placed in them.

After Katrina, I had a local redneck literally destroy my yard with his bobcat and his idiot crew. I learned from that. A large bucket truck may also break your water and sewer line depending upon how deep they are.

That can definitely be taken down without a bucket. A good tree guy will be able to climb the tree and bring it down safely in pieces. Just make sure they are insured.

Shit, a tree like that I’d have that down with nothing more than a chain saw, wedge and sledge hammer and a ice cold 6 pack.

Easy take down without any heavy equipment. Stump grinder would be the problem.

piling on, but that is a trivial tree. Down in 30 seconds. If you are contracting it out the issues are really what to do with it when down. Do you want it removed, chipped, piled somewhere to compost etc. Then as said above what's you stump plan. Lots of options, but all but just leave it to mother nature will take some equipment.

could take it down with nothing other than the smallest chainsaw I own

The tree guys we've used took down a wild cherry tree much bigger than that, and much closer to both house and shed than that, without a truck.

Thank you all for your input. When calling around I'll say I'd like to have it done without using heavy equipment.

Should I expect to pay more for having it done manually?

^^^

I seriously don’t think a tree guy would waste his time setting up a bucket for that, even if you didn’t say anything.

That is super easy. Climb and limb it down or wedge it down. Do you know anyone who is decent with a chainsaw?

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:
I seriously don’t think a tree guy would waste his time setting up a bucket for that, even if you didn’t say anything.

Why not? Doesn't take long to drop the jacks and get the bucket going, and it makes limbing the tree much quicker. The same crew that took our cherry tree down used their bucket truck for a much smaller tulip tree next to which they could pull right up.

Once the tree is down what is going to happen to the wood?? Are they charging money to haul it offsite?? Does the contract allow them to re-sell the wood to be used as firewood. .. Photo shows a chimney-- is it a real wood burner or fake for looks chimney??? ................. drill sgt.

Climber


Bucket

That should not be to much of a job. Around here bucket truck cutters are rare except some city, county, and PUD guys. Might be you area is different but around here most all of the pros have a tree climber with one or two ground guys and a big ass truck for chips towing a good size chipper. You will need to bring up where they can park that and how far they have to haul 4000 - 6000 LBS of tree before they bid on that. And details such as are you or going to take down a section of fence for easier access.

Not sure how many tree guys in your area but I would also look at google reviews. I would get two or three bids. And go over with each one with what you want done and what you do not want them to do. Then ask them how they plan to do the job. You may or may not want to go with lowest bid after talking to some of them.

If I was doing that job, I would park my truck and chipper on the street and bring the brush out on the side of the house opposite of the driveway. That tree is fairly easy to take down without a bucket truck.

I had 10 60'+ Pine trees taken out of my yard with no heavy equipment. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

The stump grinder won't be an issue either.

A better question; what chainsaw should I buy to take this tree down?
Easy job, even for an amateur.