LANDSCAPING : Better Leaf This Job to the Pros

When Joyce Kilmer wrote that he never expected to “see a poem lovely as a tree,” he didn’t have in mind raking mountains of leaves in the fall, putting up with a tall pine raining sappy needles all over his car or listening to an elm creak in a high wind as it threatened to crash through the roof of his house.

Your own yard may have problem trees that present a hazard to property and personal safety and should be removed. Be sure to give careful thought to any decision to remove a tree, though--the decision is a lasting one. The tree that annoys you in the fall may be giving you shade you take for granted in summer.

When you’ve made the decision to remove a tree, you’ll probably want to call in a professional service to do the job.

Felling a tree in your yard is not the same as it is in the forest. A tall tree may have to be removed in sections and felled in a precise manner to avoid crashing down on power lines, roadways and nearby homes.

Once the tree is down, you’ll have to contend with cutting up the trunk and branches and disposing of all the waste wood--not to mention removing the stump.

Of course, you can rent the equipment that a pro would use to handle the job. However, it’s likely that you’ll find the rental costs, specialized knowledge and hard work required make hiring an expert a real bargain.

Getting the right people for the job also takes some know-how. First, make sure the company carries liability insurance. Without this, personal injury to anyone (including those hired to do the work) or damage to nearby property can open you up to a serious personal lawsuit. And don’t just take the company’s word on insurance--ask to see a copy of its insurance certificate.

While costs can vary depending on location, you’re better off paying a flat rate for the entire job rather than paying on a time-and-materials basis. This way, you know the total cost before you start and can shop around to find the best deal.

As a rule, you can expect to pay about $500 to $600 per eight-hour day, which includes the crew and equipment. You shouldn’t have to pay anything before the work starts, and it’s a good idea to look for a company that’s been in business for a while and has references you can check.

Where a tall tree can’t easily be felled due to potential damage to property, it’s removed in sections. The first step is to remove the branches, working from the bottom up to avoid getting the upper branches entangled in the lower ones. A cherry picker and a chain saw are standard tools for this work.

Alternatively, some pros use a rope and climbing saddle and cut the branches with a handsaw. Large branches are best lowered to the ground with a rope rather than letting them fall. Once the trunk is cleared, sections are cut off starting at the top.

Stump removal is best handled with a stump cutter or grinder. This powerful machine (at least 30 horsepower) has a large wheel that’s fitted with carbide teeth.