Why is tree work expensive?

There are many different aspects of tree work which include a wide range of costs, but let’s start with the most common expense: tree removal.

It can be difficult to understand why removing a tree can cost so much when the whole process seems as simple as “just cutting it down.” In reality, the work is usually much more involved than making a few cuts with a chain saw and then hauling it all away.

Complexity – Trees being removed often need to be cut apart in sections to avoid dropping the whole tree or large pieces onto the lawn or landscape or into the street. 

This is a safer approach and also prevents serious damage to the turf and landscape below. Usually, specialized equipment is needed, such as aerial lifts or cranes to access the tree safely. 

This equipment is costly to acquire and maintain. Some of the typical equipment such as these mentioned can cost more than some homes! 

Often, the use of this equipment involves setting up traffic control in busy streets where permits and additional flagging support are needed.

Difficult and dangerous – Tree pruning and tree removal, is difficult and dangerous work. A tree that has been dead for several years usually becomes brittle and inflexible. When you try to cut it down, controlling the direction of fall is a challenge and it will often shatter, throwing broken branches in an uncontrolled manner. 

Often, tree workers are in trees that have electrical conductors running through the branches. That risky situation should speak for itself.

Insurance, Licensing – Because tree work can be hazardous, qualified companies will have expensive liability insurance to protect the homeowner’s property, as well as workers’ compensation insurance to help cover injuries sustained by the crew, should they occur. 

You get what you pay for and this includes tree care as well! This applies to any service company which may be used in and around your home or property.

Trained and Certified Workers – Its best to choose a tree care company where the crew has current industry credentials and a history of training and experience. How do you know if a company’s staff is trained and experienced? 

Ask to see their credentials and look for programs such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist or the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Certified Treecare Safety Professional which are indicators of professional business with the expertise to perform the work. 

Tree owners and managers have the option to interview two or three tree care companies before deciding about tree removal or other critical practices such as pruning. Ask to see a copy of the current insurance certificate as well as copies of the crew’s competency credentials. 

If a company representative hesitates to provide these documents or insists, they don’t need to “prove” themselves, find another company to perform the work. Ask for references. This is easy since often all that is needed is to drive by a location to see the quality of the pruning work or removal work completed.

Tree care performed properly will be an investment in your property that, when done correctly, will give you valued returns for decades.