Tree Removal

We’re out in all conditions because waiting isn’t always an option. A cracked limb hanging over a driveway after a storm doesn’t care if the roads are slick. Our crews are trained for winter operations, equipped with studded boots, low-ground-pressure equipment, and chainsaw setups that don’t slip in wet bark. We’ve removed trees in three inches of snow with ice glaze on branches, and we do it safely. If there is a weather exception where it is truly unsafe for our team, we will delay until conditions improve. But we offer 24/7 emergency services, so we are out in almost anything, and we are trained to work in inclement weather. 

We’ve done this dozens of times. Trees with aggressive root systems, like silver maples or willows, can infiltrate septic drain fields or burst irrigation pipes over time. Before we start, we use ground-penetrating radar and utility marking services to locate what’s below.

If we see roots wrapping around a sewer line, we’ll cut them back in controlled sections. We also document the condition of nearby utilities before and after, so if there’s any future issue, you have a record. Most homeowners don’t realize how much damage a tree’s root system can cause underground so we always make sure that damage doesn’t happen on our watch.

Yes, and we’ve done it more than once. When a tree grows through a wooden or vinyl fence, it doesn’t just push it aside, it cracks, warps, and often splits the structure entirely.

We carefully dismantle the portion of the tree embedded in the fence, section by section, using hand tools where needed to avoid tearing the material further. We’ll leave the fence as intact as possible, and if it’s beyond repair, we’ll note that upfront so you know whether to budget for replacement. 

We do, and they’re some of the trickiest. A lightning strike doesn’t always kill a tree outright. Sometimes it just cooks the inner cambium layer, leaving the outer bark looking fine while the tree is structurally compromised from the inside. We inspect for vertical cracks, peeling bark, or sudden leaf drop in the weeks after a strike. If the tree is unstable or poses a risk of splitting unexpectedly, we remove it. Even if it looks okay, we advise against keeping it. A lightning-damaged tree can fail without warning months later, especially under wind or snow load. We’ve seen trees that looked perfectly healthy one spring, then collapsed in early summer because the internal damage went unnoticed.

You get to keep it, and we’ll even cut it into manageable lengths for you or turn it into wood chips or mulch. We don’t assume everyone wants it hauled away. Many of our clients in New York use the wood for fireplaces, wood stoves, or outdoor fire pits. If the tree is diseased, like ash infected with emerald borer, we’ll tell you upfront that it shouldn’t be moved due to quarantine rules. Otherwise, we treat the wood like it’s yours, because it is!

(We will recycle the wood if you do not want to keep it).

We handle this every week. New York City and many suburban towns have tree preservation ordinances, especially for heritage trees or those in designated conservation zones. We check the local arborist office, review any permits on file, and sometimes consult with the Department of Parks and Recreation before we even show up. If the tree is protected, we’ll tell you whether removal is even possible, and if it is, we’ll guide you through the application process, including submitting an arborist report signed by our ISA-certified team.