Timing tree removal is always a good idea. This is because it typically determines how much one ends up getting charged for the services. It also plays a role in determining the degree to which the removal will affect adjacent plants, shrubs, and vegetation.
Generally, winter is the best time of the year to remove trees. This is because trees are generally dormant in the winter, making it easier and less messy to remove them. This, in addition to the fact that there is usually less demand for tree care services during winter, increases the odds of getting charged less for these services.
Here is everything that you need to know about the best times to remove trees.
Generally, winter is considered to be the best time of the year for tree removal. The following are the main reasons why.
Most affordable tree removal prices
In winter, there is less demand for tree care services. However, the number of tree care service providers near you doesn’t change. This creates a market environment where the demand for tree services is lower than the supply.
In order to effectively compete for the few available jobs, most tree care service providers offer attractive discounts. Some even lower the cost of their services during winter.
As a result, when you opt to have your tree removed during winter, you get access to cheaper tree removal services.
Easy scheduling
Since the demand for tree services is generally lower during winter, most tree experts tend to have empty calendars. Scheduling for site visits, tree inspections, and actual removal dates is thus easier. This makes for a much more convenient hiring process.
Less tedious removal process
Most trees go dormant during winter. They don’t have as many leaves and branches as they normally would. This makes it easier to clean up after removing the tree. It simplifies the after-removal tasks, making for a smoother tree-removal process.
To reduce the risk of injury or property damage
Winter features harsh weather that is typically accompanied by strong winds. Therefore, if the tree that you are planning on removing is weak, dying, or already dead, then it poses a greater risk of falling during winter. As a result, removal during this period is advisable.
Less damage to surrounding trees, plants, and vegetation
Most plants, trees, shrubs, and surrounding vegetation rarely grow actively during winter. As a result, winter presents the least chance of upsetting the vegetation surrounding the tree.
Furthermore, since any disturbance that occurs will take place during the dormant season — winter –, it ensures that the plants have enough time to recover before the next stressful season approaches.
Should you always wait for the right season to remove a tree?
No, you don’t always have to wait for the right season to remove a tree.
Why? Because there are times when removing a tree is extremely urgent.
If the tree has been infected by a deadly disease, waiting for the right season before removing it will put other trees in danger. In such a case, removing it immediately is the most prudent course of action.
The same applies in cases where a tree’s structural integrity is compromised. Failure to remove it immediately will expose your loved ones to the risk of incurring serious injuries. You will also risk damaging your property.
As a result, where the tree is a danger to your loved ones or your neighbors, waiting for the right season is a luxury that you cannot afford.
What is the best time of year to cut branches off trees?
The best time of the year to cut branches off trees is during winter. This is because, during winter, the tree is dormant.
A tree being dormant is advantageous because it makes it easier for you to see the tree’s structure. This makes strategic pruning easier.
And when you consider the fact that there is less risk of pest infestation or a disease attack during winter, it is easy to understand why most tree experts recommend it as the ideal time for tree pruning.
What is the best time of year to remove tree roots?
Winter is the best time of the year to remove tree roots because it offers the best chance of minimal interference with naturally growing vegetation. Furthermore, removal during winter gives the soil enough time to recover before the active season begins. And when combined with the cheaper tree removal services during winter, opting to get rid of tree roots during this period is a no-brainer.
When can you not cut down trees?
It is generally discouraged to cut down trees during summer because it presents the peak growth period for tree and vegetation growth. As a result, the tree is bound to cause much more damage to growing trees, shrubs, and vegetation that is near it.
However, technically, there isn’t a period during the year when you can not cut down trees. It is only that in winter, the conditions are usually ideal both in terms of the cost of tree removal, how easy it is to remove the trees, and the risks of damaging adjacent trees and vegetation.
How does the cost of cutting down a tree vary during the year?
Tree cutting is cheapest during winter because tree care service companies tend to be less busy during this period. However, it tends to cost more during summer because of the increase in the demand for tree care services.
DIY vs. Hiring an Expert
When deciding whether to hire a tree removal expert or to do the removal yourself, you have to consider the pros and cons of each option.
Ultimately, what will be ideal for you will depend on the size of the tree, your availability, your budget, and how easy it is to access it.
Here is what you should know about the pros and cons of DIY vs. hiring an expert.
Do it Yourself
Pros
- It is cheaper
- It is faster, especially in cases where you intend to remove a small tree
- You don’t have to go through the tedious process of looking for and vetting tree experts near you
- It can make for a fun project that you can bond over with loved ones
Cons
- It can be extremely time-consuming especially if you are intending to remove a large tree
- Higher risks of injury
- Higher risks of property damage
- It is tedious work
Hiring an Expert
Pros
- Faster tree removal because it is being done by experts
- It can be a more affordable option especially if you are dealing with a tree that is bigger and that is located in a hard-to-reach area
- Lower risk of injury
- Lower risk of property damage
- No need to hire tools or engage in tedious work
Cons
- It can be prohibitively expensive
- Searching for and vetting tree removal experts can be time-consuming and tedious
FAQ's
The cost of tree removal ranges between $150 and $2000. Generally, larger trees cost more, while trees that are 30 feet or less with costs of their removal rarely exceeding $400.
Generally, homeowner’s insurance plans offer coverage for tree removal. This includes offering compensation in cases where the tree removal process results in damage and loss.
However, the terms of insurance policies and plans vary widely. As a result, checking the terms and conditions of your insurance coverage is always advisable
Yes, it is possible to kill a tree by cutting a significant portion of its branches. The stress that results from the tree struggling to produce food, the strain on resources needed for healing, and the tree’s vulnerability to pests and rotting, are sometimes enough to kill the tree.
However, a tree can survive its branches getting cut. This can happen in cases where it quickly develops water shoots that help in food production. The presence of an adequate amount of moisture and nutrients can also boost the chances of survival.
In most areas, it is illegal to remove a tree on which a protected animal or bird is nesting. In some cases, you are prohibited even from removing a dead tree if such a bird or animal is using it as a nest. You will first need to obtain council permission.
In some jurisdictions, it is an offense to remove a tree with an active nest, independent of whether the bird is protected or not.
However, for it to be an offense, you need to have intentionally removed the tree with the knowledge that the tree has an active nest.
Author: Ben McInerney is a qualified arborist with over 15 years of industry experience. He uses his in-depth knowledge of the tree service industry to give readers to most accurate information on tree service costs and helps to educate them about the benefits of using a certified arborist for tree trimming and removal work.
