2022 Pricing Guide: Tree Removal in Burnaby, BC

Trees provide humans with needful oxygen and cool shade during the hot summer months. Trees also make properties more inviting by adding to the landscape design. Most trees thrive for many decades, but there are times a homeowner may need to have them removed.

Removing trees is a job best reserved for professionals. Homeowners should never attempt a DIY approach to tree removal because they could end up being seriously injured or even killed. Trying to remove a tree without the right knowledge, skills, tools, and equipment could also lead to home damage.

One of the first concerns homeowners have when they need to hire a professional for tree removal services is the cost. With this guide, homeowners will learn more about the cost of these professional services and what they entail so they can be prepared to take action when they need to have a tree removed from their property.

What Is Involved in the Tree Removal Process?

Aside from knowing the price, homeowners also need to learn as much as possible about what is involved in removing a tree. The first step is felling or cutting up the tree. This portion of the tree removal process is the most dangerous and involves precise cuts so the tree will fall as predicted.

Those who cut down trees are called fellers. They use special tools and advanced knowledge to know where, precisely, to begin their cut. If the cuts to the tree are made in the wrong location, the tree can fall at the wrong angle and could cause injuries or damage to a home.

After the tree has been cut down, the team will cut up the wood and then haul it away. Homeowners have the option of keeping the wood for their fireplace or having it hauled away and properly processed by the tree professionals.

Finally, the stump is the only part of the tree that is left. Stumps can be left in place, especially if they are in a woody area. If the stump is in a homeowner’s yard, they will likely want it to be removed. Stump removal is a tedious process that involves grinding the stump and roots. Because the root system is sometimes massive with older trees, great care must be taken to fully remove the stump so the tree does not begin to grow back over time.

When Does a Tree Need to be Removed?

There are often a lot of considerations when it comes to deciding if and when to remove a tree from a property. Sometimes, trees need to be removed because they are in the way of new building projects, such as garages, additions to a home, or decks and patios. The following offers information on some of the criteria used to determine if a tree needs to be removed.

  • If a tree is over 50% damaged, it likely needs to be removed. Trees that have a lot of damage may continue to live for years but could be a source of danger since they are more likely to fall during a serious storm. It is best to remove these trees before they cause injuries or damages.
  • Trunk damage is often a good indicator that a tree needs to be removed. Vertical cracks, large areas of missing bark, and signs of decay should never be ignored. If a tree trunk is damaged, it is time to call a tree service professional and have the tree removed safely.
  • Should a tree become hollow, it is a danger. Hollow trees will continue to live for many years because they receive nutrients from the outer edges of bark. Unfortunately, hollow trees are more likely to fall because they are not secure. If one-third of the tree is hollow, it is time to have it removed.
  • Large areas of dead branches are also another sign a tree needs to be removed. If more than 25% of the branches have died, it is time to call a tree professional to check the tree to determine if it needs to be removed. In some cases, the damaged areas can be removed, allowing the tree to regain its healthy growth, but the cause of the dead branches must be identified first.
  • Leaning trees must always be removed because they are near the point of falling. A tree that is leaning is likely to fall during periods of heavy rain or wind. It is wise for a property owner to seek a professional right away to have the tree felled and removed.

Important Safety Considerations For Removing Trees

Removing trees is dangerous work. Even professional tree companies face major risks, especially if they do not follow the correct safety protocols. Some of the risks involved in removing trees include the following.

Unexpected Falls

When tree removal professionals come out to remove a tree, they plan the precise cuts that must be made to ensure the fall of the tree is predictable. If a homeowner attempts to remove a tree without professional help, they can cause it to fall on buildings, their homes, or their vehicles.

Trim Your Trees Regularly

Trim back any overgrowth. It is especially important if you have a hedge or shrub that needs trimming back this time of year – but all trees need some trimming at least once yearly. It’s best to do this in early spring or late summer/early fall when they’re not actively growing. 

Injuries From Ladders

A ladder is necessary for cutting the branches of a tree before the trunk is felled. Ladder injuries are one of the biggest risks of tree removal. A homeowner should never attempt a DIY approach to tree removal. They could fall from the ladder and experience serious injuries or even death. Leave this work to the professionals who know how to protect themselves.

Injuries From Falling Trees

As mentioned above, trees sometimes fall in unexpected ways. If a person is attempting to remove a tree, they could end up falling and becoming seriously injured. Each year, many people die because they attempt to cut down trees without professional help.

Injuries From Falling Branches

As the branches are being cut, they can fall on a person and cause serious injuries. Some very large branches could even kill a person as they fall. Great care must be taken by professionals to ensure the branches are not a danger to humans or animals as they are cut off and fall to the ground.

Hazards

Some trees are located precariously close to power lines. When trees near power lines need to be removed, fellers must take great care to ensure the tree branches or trunks do not hit power lines and cause damage, fires, or electric shocks. Other hazards can also occur. Professional tree fellers are trained to minimize the risks and ensure trees are taken down safely and effectively.

Types of Trees That Often Need Removing

Many types of trees grow in Burnaby. There are both native and non-native trees growing throughout the city. Coniferous trees have cones. The most commonly removed coniferous trees in Burnaby are hemlock, cedar, fir, and pine.

Other types of trees in Burnaby are deciduous. Deciduous tree leaves change color in fall and die off by winter. Some of the most common types of deciduous trees in the city include cottonwood, oak, and alder.

The cost of a tree removal does not depend on the type. The cost of removing a tree is based on several factors, including its size and location. Most tree removal services in Burnaby charge between $400 and $4,000 for their services.

How Is the Price of Tree Removal Determined?

As stated above, tree removal prices are based on multiple factors and not by the type of tree. Expert tree removal services will generally charge by the hour. Complex tree removal services are going to take longer than removing a small tree with no other issues involved.

Trees that are located next to power lines or close to homes are going to require more work to remove. These trees are going to result in a greater cost for removal.

When a homeowner hires a tree removal service, they will be given a full price quote before the work is completed. Once a tree price has been quoted, there should be no unexpected costs in the final bill.

How to Get a Quote for Tree Removal

Getting an accurate quote for tree removal is one of the first steps towards having this service carried out. The tree service professional will come out and inspect the tree and property before providing an estimate.

The quote the homeowner receives will include the cost of felling the tree and removing the wood. If a homeowner requires any extra services, these should be inquired about right away. Homeowners should also ask questions if they do not understand any of the services or costs involved.

What Is the Average Cost for Having a Tree Removed?

As mentioned briefly above, the average cost of felling a tree and removing the wood ranges between $400 and $4,000. The most common price for tree removal in Burnaby is $1,700. It is important to note that smaller trees can be removed for much less, depending on the ease of removal.

Extremely large trees or trees located in complex or hazardous locations could cost as much as $4,000 to remove. The average costs are for one tree. If a homeowner needs multiple trees removed, the price will increase.

What Can Lead to a Cost Increase for Tree Removal?

Tree removal experts generally charge by the hour. Anything that could cause the time of removal to increase will be factored into the estimate. When a professional comes out to give a homeowner a quote for tree removal, they will discuss how long the removal is likely to take and any issues that could arise that would increase the cost of removal.

Additional Services for Tree Removal in Burnaby

Aside from felling the tree and removing the wood, there are also other services homeowners may need. If a homeowner has a fireplace or wood-burning stove, they may want to have the wood split so they can use it during the winter months. The cost of splitting the wood typically ranges between $300 to $800, depending on the amount of wood that must be cut up for the homeowner.

If a tree falls due to bad weather or health issues, homeowners may hire a tree removal company to come out and cut up the tree so it can be removed from the property. Depending on the location of the fallen tree, homeowners can expect to pay between $500 to $2,000 for that service. The cost of removing a fallen tree will depend on its location and any hazards involved.

Trees that have fallen on power lines are going to require greater care and more time to remove. Trees that fall on buildings also result in a greater cost to remove because the team must be careful in removing the tree to avoid causing additional damage to the building.

Does a Homeowner Need Permits for Tree Removal?

It is important homeowners obtain permits when they are required. There are some instances where the city requires a homeowner to have a permit. Generally, tree removal services will take care of the permit issues for a homeowner.

If a tree is considered a protected tree, it can only be removed under certain circumstances. When a tree removal expert comes out, they can advise a homeowner on whether it is possible to obtain a permit to remove the tree.

Homeowners should also know there are conditions for removing trees from a property. If a tree is removed, a tree must be planted. The tree that is planted in the place of the removed tree must meet certain qualifications. There is a list of approved tree replacements available from the city, and a tree professional can help.

Hire a Professional for all Tree Removal Needs

Homeowners in Burnaby should avoid taking a DIY approach to tree removal because they could be seriously injured or killed. Homeowners can also cause damage to their property.

A professional tree removal service will take care of all the steps involved in the removal process. Homeowners will not have to worry about hidden costs because everything is included in the price quote.

Homeowners in Burnaby who need a tree removed can call Burnaby Tree Surgeons. We offer free price quotes so homeowners will be informed.

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