Top 5 Reasons for Tree Removal

Safety, property, or plant health risks are common reasons for tree removal. We find trees can become vulnerable to storms, encroach on structures or exhibit symptoms of contagious illnesses.

Dead branches can fall and clog roadways or injure individuals. Sometimes roots can fracture pipes or crack walls.

To steer our readers in the right direction, we discuss the primary reasons and what to look for next.

The Reasons For Tree Removal

At Diamond Tree Experts, we know that making the call to remove a tree is difficult – trees beautify our landscapes, bring shade to Utah’s hot summers, and provide sanctuary for local wildlife.

Every now and again tree removal is necessary for the safety of other people, property and the environment.

To decide, evaluate the tree’s health and structural integrity, its threat to your safety, and its influence on your property and the local environment.

1. Disease or Infestation

Leaves are the initial spot to check for clues that a tree is unhappy.

Yellowing, early leaf drop or thin canopies can be indications of stress. If leaves yellow or brown long before autumn, or if the branches bare out when others are budding all around, it’s a warning sign.

Among other things, a health checklist should encompass checking for internal rot or a hollow trunk.

If knocking the trunk sounds hollow or if there’s fungus at the base, it typically indicates that the interior is rotting.

Insect infestation can also be a major reason you need to remove a tree. Utah pests can easily kill trees so it’s best to consult a pro at Diamond Tree Experts to head off a dead tree.

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Dead limbs, particularly up in the canopy, can fall without warning and injure someone or their car.

Age is important, old trees can rot and die, even if they don’t appear to initially.

2. Root Damage

Trees can lean a few degrees one way or another, but any tree that leans more than 15 degrees, especially if it is recent lean, is a potential sign of root or trunk injury.

A tree with splits in the bark or deep wood cracks also impacts the strength of the tree.

Frequently breaking branches or those hanging broken indicate chronic stress, producing wounds that encourage rot.

Checking the tree for these issues protects you against future problems. Band-aids rarely get at the underlying issues. Routine checkups and branches removed in a timely manner are usually the best ways to prevent accidents.

3. Safety Hazards

Certain types of wood are weak and break in storms. Trees with roots pushing up sidewalks or water lines can cause more than just surface damage. In crowded neighborhoods, a dead tree is an actual hazard, particularly during strong wind.

Falling limbs are the leading cause of tree injuries. Whether it’s public walkways or driveways underneath a weak tree, it’s a risk for everyone.

4. Interference With Structures

Roots beneath concrete tend to fracture sidewalks or driveways. Occasionally, they bust into pipes or lift garden walls. We observe trees rubbing up against fences, roofs or utility sheds.

When this happens it can be expensive to repair these issues. When limbs fall down on roadways it can prevent emergency vehicles from reaching home and other properties.

Even small branches can cause a lot of unnecessary damage, if they fall in the wrong place.

5. Aesthetic Reasons

In any area you can easily identify trees that don’t belong (these are invasive trees). They will crowd out plants that do belong in the area (native plants), and disrupt local ecosystems.

Sick trees can keep birds and insects from inhabiting or feeding within an area (as do healthy trees). As sick trees die, they may pass infections or pests to adjacent vegetation.

A healthy tree can assist a lot of species, but a dying one can cause some serious damage. We do, however, always consider the tree’s place within the local ecosystem before removal.

Exploring the Alternatives to Tree Removal

Sometimes tree removal is not the only solution to a straining tree. We like to look for alternatives that save trees and help our planet. They shade our homes, sequester carbon, and benefit our local ecosystems.

Our philosophy is to consider all the treatment options first. Below is a list of leading alternatives to complete removal:

Corrective pruning or trimming
Structural support systems
Disease and pest management
Fertilization and soil improvement
Mulching and moisture conservation

Advanced Treatments

Disease, on the other hand, has some treatment options — you can target it with fungicides or inject it with antibiotics if caught early. We have witnessed instances of root rot or cankers that have responded nicely to these strategies, particularly in the urban landscape.

For root problems, aeration or root collar excavation can help reestablish function and structure, at times rescuing trees that seem a lost cause.

Pests, such as borers or scale, can stress and decline. Our IPM approach utilizes monitoring, biological controls and targeted applications of systemic insecticides.

Soil amendments and fertilizer provide help as well. Adding a bit of organic compost or slowly released nutrients can assist a tree in recovering from soil damage or nutrient loss. You can also try to add a mulch ring around a tree’s trunk. This can lock the moisture in the soil and also keep the soil cooler, which will help heal the tree.

Corrective Pruning

We understand that corrective pruning involves taking off dead, broken, or diseased branches, as appropriate, reduces risk and improves the health of a tree. We always review the tree structure and look for weak branch unions or crossing limbs, and prune to develop a strong scaffold.

When you prune is important. Winter, when the tree sleeps, is perhaps best. This encourages new growth in the spring and reduces stress. Routine work — every few years — prevents issues from escalating and saves the tree’s life.

Pruning or trimming can be done during the growing season as needed, but more carefully so as not to induce shock.

Structural Support

Some trees have weak forks or heavy limbs that could fail. Cabling or bracing can bind these limbs together, minimizing the risk of breakage, particularly in storms.

We evaluate every tree for the appropriate hardware—steel cables, rods, or braces—and install them over vulnerable areas. That support can frequently save an otherwise doomed to be removed older or valuable tree.

The expense of putting in the hardware is offset by the advantage of maintaining grown shade, wildlife habitat and landscape value.

Our View on Removing or Keeping a Tree

Preserving trees moderates microclimates, safeguards soil and conserves energy. If over half the tree is damaged or it’s gone belly up, taking it out is inevitable.

For others, smart care can keep the tree standing and flourishing.

Our Services

Tree Removal

Tree Trimming

Stump Grinding

Mulch Products

Green Waste Dumping

Demolition

How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?

Deciding on tree removal is a complex process that can mean evaluating both immediate and indirect financial consequences. We have to ask ourselves not only the costs of the professional tree removal services upfront, but also the long term value of having let the tree go on without regular maintenance and the potential risks to safety if the tree becomes neglected.

We can’t just think about the upfront expenses of expert tree removal services, but the long-term worth and maybe even potential safety hazards.

Removal Costs

The price tag for tree removal varies based on a number of factors. Top factors are tree size, species, condition and location and accessibility. For instance, if a tree is near buildings or power lines, removal can be 25%–50% more expensive.

Here’s a table showing average costs by tree size and location:

Tree Size	Urban	Rural
Small (10-15 feet)	$150–$400	$120–$350
Medium (15-25 feet)	$400–$950	$350–$800
Large (25-50 feet)	$950–$2,000	$800–$1,800
X-Large (50-100 feet)	$2,000–$10,000	$1,800–$8,000

Specialized work, such as clearing trees that are intertwined with utility lines or other trees, can go as high as $10,000. In addition to simple removal, stump grinding, trunk splitting, and debris removal can add $75–$350 per dump trip.

Specialized work, such as clearing trees that are wrapped around utility lines or other trees, can reach up to $10,000. Beyond basic removal, stump grinding, trunk splitting and debris removal can tack on $75–$350 per dump trip.

Timing counts, as well — the off-season (February–March) is frequently the cheapest, possibly 20% cheaper if done off-season. To this end, comparing quotes from several providers is essential for keeping costs in line and quality high.

Long-Term Value of Keeping Trees

Mature trees provide significant long-term value for any property. It’s important to invest in routine tree care to postpone removal, or avoid it entirely, which saves huge sums of money and maintains your landscape’s value.

Trees that are old and mature, and well-maintained trees can add value to a property and provide curb-appeal that might not exist otherwise. The ecological advantages matter also shrubs can provide biodiversity, clean our air and prevent erosion.

Sustainable forestry assures that we receive these benefits for generations. Choosing to perform healthy tree care when a tree is unavoidable isn’t only a financial resolution – but an obligation for the betterment of our environment.

Mature, well maintained trees can add value and provide curb-appeal a property might not otherwise have.

The environmental advantages count as well – trees provide habitat, clean the air and stabilize soil. Sustainable forestry makes sure we keep enjoying these benefits for generations. Choosing healthy trees when we can’t not is not just frugal – it’s a commitment to our environment.

DIY Risks

Taking a tree down by yourself might appear to be a quick way to save money. This might not be the smartest choice, however. DIY tree removal can put one at risk for injury from falling branches or chainsaw accidents, particularly if the tree is tall or unstable.

An error can result in additional property damage and consequently MORE cost than hiring a pro. Equipment rental — chainsaws, ropes, safety gear — can add up fast. On top of that, tree removal is time-consuming and labor intensive.

For the majority, the financial and safety risks trump the savings.

Property Damage Costs

Ignoring unhealthy or dying trees adds additional risk. Dead trees lead to falling limbs or uprooted trunks. These can cause damage to roofs, vehicles or utility lines. This frequently results in emergency removal, which is costlier and potentially not covered by the insurance.

Regular inspections enable us to identify issues in advance of an emergency. A few maintenance dollars today can keep us from many repair dollars tomorrow.

Life After Removal

Handling the aftermath of tree removal is crucial in long-term site health and function. It’s more than just debris clearing. We bring you stump care, soil rejuvenation and a defined replanting plan to keep landscapes vibrant and lush.

We think about how tree roots can remain live for years post removal, influencing soil health and even new planting.

Stump Management

Stump grinding is a fairly straightforward means of eliminating tree debris, turning the stump into wood chips. This method not only eliminates trip hazards but also provides room for new planting, making it an efficient method for landscape management. Additionally, it avoids pest problems and lends a neat appearance to the area.

Natural decay is one option available to tree care professionals. Allowing the stump to decay provides nutrients for the soil, which is a very sustainable approach. However, it is a slower method and may not be viable on all sites, especially requiring rapid rehabilitation, or where roots may possibly leech nutrients for years.

Even when you take a tree down, root and stump systems can create new budding growth, especially true of tree species like oaks that can have roots that remain living after a tree is cut down for many decades.

Monitoring this regrowth will need to be conducted to make sure regrowth will not create any unwanted interference with any intended new landscaping or soil remediation work you have planned.

Maintenance practices for stump removal and management are important for keeping a nice yard, as well as public safety issues.

A licensed tree professional can make good recommendations for how to manage ‘stumps’ effectively and advancements to your landscape. These might include?

Stump grinding and chip removal
Applying chemical stump killers
Encouraging natural decay with moisture and soil contact
Covering stumps to limit regrowth
Complete excavation for full removal

Soil Restoration

A very popular option Utah residents take is to rejuvenate the soil by supplementing it with compost or well-rotted manure. This helps to compensate for organic matter lost with the tree. This enriches nutrient levels and aids soil structure in its recovery from root disruption.

Soil testing is important. It reveals present nutrient levels, pH and compaction. We amend accordingly with this information to bring the soil in line for new plant growth.

Some people in Utah cover crops such as clover or legumes that contribute nitrogen and shield exposed soil from erosion. These plants disrupt compacted layers, leaving the site more amenable to future landscaping.

Good soil restoration doesn’t just encourage new trees; it helps fight back old roots. Because roots can survive for years, restoration must be designed with adequate spacing to prevent cleansing plants from competing for water and nutrients.

Replanting Strategy

We begin by selecting replacement trees that are appropriate for the site’s conditions — soil type, light, space. Make sure to choose Utah native plants that best support local wildlife and are best adapted to local climate patterns.

Timing is also important. Planting new trees when they are dormant, and therefore roots are not growing, gives the best chance to establish with vigor. This whole youth phase is as little stress on young trees as possible and depends upon seasonal rains.

Post-removal attention, such as watering and mulching, is necessary to assist new trees in thriving while ancient roots continue to leech. We continue observing to shift care plans as the landscape evolves.

Reasons to Remove a Tree – Diamond Tree Experts Can Help

We deal with tree removal for many reasons. Safety, health, or space needs push us to act. We check risks, weigh the costs, and talk to trusted arborists.

Sometimes, we try to save the tree first. Other times, we see that nothing else will fix the problem.

After removal, the land starts fresh. We use new plans to help the space grow. We always make sure every step matches our values and goals.

We want safe, strong, and healthy places for everyone. To learn more or get help with a tough tree call, reach out to us.

We share advice and real stories to help you move ahead with trust and clear facts. Contact the pros at Diamond Tree Experts today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top reasons for tree removal?

Sadly, hazardous trees must be removed as they pose a risk of injury to people and property, and damage to neighboring trees.

What are some hidden reasons for tree removal?

Sometimes, we remove trees due to root system issues, pest problems, or internal decay not visible from the outside. These tree removal reasons can significantly affect the safety and health of the area.

When should we consult an arborist before removing a tree?

Contact certified arborist at Diamond Tree Experts if a tree appears unhealthy, is leaning, or poses a safety issue to any type of structure. With over 57 years of expertise in tree care allows for making the right decisions about tree care in a safe manner.

Are there alternatives to removing a tree?

Yes, the pros at Diamond Tree Experts can explain various treatments, pruning, or bracing prior to professional tree removal services. These options can help save the tree and enhance your landscape.

How much does tree removal typically cost?

Prices vary based on the tree’s dimensions, location, and difficulty, which is why we offer professional tree removal services and transparent quotes post-inspection for effective budget consideration.

What happens to the space after a tree is removed?

Part of our normal process at Diamond Tree Experts is to clean up the site, grind the stump when required. We also recommend replanting or landscaping alternatives, ensuring the safety and beauty of your property through professional tree removal services.

Can removing a tree improve property value?

Absolutely, we discover that by utilizing professional tree removal services for hazardous or dying trees, we can enhance safety, aesthetics, and home values while preventing future expensive damage.