How much to remove this tree in your opinion?

dellfanatic

I've never had this done before so would be interested to know what you think about removal of this tree. It's pretty stunted and it's main trunk breaks into two sections about 1.5m up. Total height about 3m.

I plan to get the Yeo Valley trees for free and replace this one but the cost of removal of the present one is worrying. I have no idea of costs so if anyone has a vague idea what it will cost (roots seem to spread into the lawn area) I'd appreciate it so I know whether to laugh or cry when my first estimates come along!

Thanks!!

I know the pic isn't great but it's the only one I have at the moment, the camera is 140 miles away... don't ask!

COOLTRIKERCHICK

why dont you do it yourself.... ?

i had 2 huge conifers and privet cut down last year.. and they were mega over grown...

the quote i had 2 years prior to them coming down was £1200... and this was just to cut them down, extra for removal :eek:

last year someone we know does this for a living and charged us £250. all in....

he said he would normally charge around the £350. mark if it was for anyone else....

but as he said there are some people/companies that get away with charging loads of money.....

as i say is there anyway you can do it yourself ? we couldnt as the conifers were so high....

System

That isn't a tree, it's a large plant (lol). Seriously all you require is a saw, secutears and maybe a stepladder. A walking stick would be handy too!.

I would start to remove any branch I could reach and then with secuters, cut into short pieces and drop into your garden wheelie bin. Keep this procedure going untill the bin is full, making sure that you only remove enough branches at a time to cut up within the time given. When your bin is full, stop untill they've emptied it. If you have a friendly neighbour that dosen't use theirs, ask if they would let you use it.

The walking stick?, use that to pull down any branches out of reach.

Yes, there will be a need to use the saw for thicker bits, but they could have a dual use. Firewood or as a garden feature for birds.

You could always leave about 5ft of stump and attach a tray on it and use as a bird's feeding table.

dellfanatic

Thanks both - the problem though is that I think the roots are extended under the drive (one side of the tree) and the lawn (other side). How can I check and how do I remove these if i'm going to plant a new tree in its place?

holstar

it doesn't look too big..as CTC suggested, can you do it yourself?
A ladder and a saw is required, and either hire a skip for the day, or a couple of trips to the local tip in your car and it'll be gone.

Your yellow pages will have local tree cutters in it, so ring around for a couple of quotes from them to see what kinda price they are, to see whether its worth doing yourself or getting someone else.

dellfanatic

Thanks again - we actually cut down a larger tree in our back garden ourselves with a good quality saw. The difference here is that we're going to plant a new tree in its place hence me wondering about the roots...

We don't have garden refuse collections, just household recycling and rubbish so looks like a trip to the tip will be in order.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

dellfanatic wrote: »

Thanks both - the problem though is that I think the roots are extended under the drive (one side of the tree) and the lawn (other side). How can I check and how do I remove these if i'm going to plant a new tree in its place?

i think this is going to be the problem.....if you cant dig out the roots yourself....

when you ask for a price.... make sure you get a price which includes the removal of the rots... and make sure they put the quote in writting ( including the words removal of roots etc)

but to be honest.... i think if you 'follow the roots' you could remove them ( or most of them) yourself.....

phone around and ask them to come and give you a price..... then maybe that will make your mind up...

good luck..keep us updated....

oojakapipi

Hi,
If you decide to do it yourself you could place an ad on freecycle for the wood, I just got rid of 11 conifers from my garden to people with woodburning stoves.

rizla01

Easy one.

looking at the 'Tree' that you have I wouldn't hesitate to remove it myself.
Cut of the top and leave about 5 foot standing.
Loosen the ground around it as deep as you can. (It's pretty hard work) and when you have gotten as much of the roots free as you can tie a rope around the tree about 4 ft off the ground and TOW THE BL00DY THING OUT!

You will honestly be surprised at what power a ton & a half of car has.

You wont need to rev the B*ll*cks out of the car, just a little above tickover will do.

i have done LOADS this way.

BritBrat

Make sure there are no restrictions on the tree and that it does not need planning permission to do any work on it.

Apart from that it looks small, do it yourself.

As for planting in same place thats not a good idea for any plant, that one may be stunted because of where it is planted or whats in the soil.

Plant a new one close to it but not in the same place.

jackieb

I think that the roots go out as far as the tree is high. So if you're planning on planting a tree in your garden, find out what the height fully grown is likely to be, and that is far out your roots will go. Me personally, I wouldn't plant a tree that close to my house.