Tree Removal Pleasant View Utah

WHAT IS TREE REMOVAL?

When providing a proposal for a tree removal, an arborists also evaluate the site for tree REMOVAL. While having the tree ground is not always necessary, many people prefer to deal with the tree at the same time as having the tree removed. Tree removal allows the property owner to use the area where the tree once stood for laying sod or planting a flower bed. The tree grinder also produces mulch that has many uses around the yard. Here are answers to some common questions we get about tree removal.

HOW DEEP CAN THE TREE GRINDER GO?

They generally grind four to six inches below grade (ground level). If deeper removal is needed, it can be requested, although the price of tree removal may increase. The depth to which a tree can be ground is subject to some limitations, however. The tree-removal blade has a diameter of about 10 inches, and can only be maneuvered up and down within a specific range.
A tree that grew in shallow soil, such as over the limestone bedrock prevalent in the Pleasant view area, may not have six inches of grindable depth.

Other material near or around the tree may limit how deep the grinder can go. While the tree grinder is powerful, it is only designed to handle plant material, wood, and dirt. Take note of:
Fencing, concrete, brick, or rock around a tree (such as a tree ring)
Nearby trees that may have roots under the tree
Swimming pools, walkways, and patios that may prevent the grinder from reaching all of the root material
Lawn irrigation, sprinkler systems, tree lighting wiring, and buried hoses
We generally do not grind deep enough to risk interfering with properly-installed utility lines or buried cables, but unforeseen obstacles can be encountered that necessitate a shallower grind.
What exactly lies beneath the roots of a tree or the surrounding soil may be a mystery, even to the homeowner. While we are very careful when removal a tree, we will not take responsible for damage to irrigation lines or other items located below ground that we are not aware of. It is important to inform your arborist of any sprinkler systems or other objects that might be in the area to be ground before the work begins.

WHAT IS LEFT AFTER A TREE IS GROUND?

As the blade grinds the tree and surface roots, it produces a mulch made up of tree material and dirt. The mulch produced by tree removal can take up a much greater volume than the original tree. (It can be helpful to think of the difference between a block of cheese and that same cheese after it is grated.)

Mulch from tree removal is valuable organic material that decomposes more quickly than many other kinds of mulch, as there are generally smaller wood particles present, and more soil to help it break down. It is our standard practice to push the mulch back into the area that has been ground (“backfilling”). Even so, there is usually a large pile of mulch left above ground, often much more than the tree owner expected. Because of its composition, the mulch does settle fairly quickly, but many people prefer to use the mulch around their yards, rather than leaving it where the tree once was.

Tree grinder mulch can be used for composting or applied in flower beds. (Depending on exact composition of the mulch, it may not perform in the same way as typical hardwood mulch, and may need to be replaced sooner.) After some time, when the mulch has settled, it can be packed into the ground-out area, making the area ready to be prepped for laying sod or for planting a flower bed or other small plants. If requested, we can provide mulch bagging and/or bagged mulch haul-off as an additional service after tree removal, but our standard practice is to leave all grinder mulch on-site.

WILL THE TREE COME BACK AFTER A TREE IS GROUND?

Even with tree removal, some species of tree can still send up shoots and new growth from the roots left below ground. Crape myrtles, chinaberry trees, hackberries, and Bradford pears are some common species in the area that can be very persistent in growing back. The sprouts that return after tree removal can be trimmed or mown down and will eventually stop coming back, as the remaining roots use up their energy reserves. Commercially-available woody stem killer can be used to accelerate the dieback of the roots. White vinegar can also be used as an organic alternative to commercial root killer.

CAN I REPLANT AFTER A TREE IS GROUND?

We are often contacted about removing a tree that the owner would like to replace. We do not recommend trying to re-plant trees in the same area where a tree was removed and the tree ground. Even with a deep grind, an extensive root system remains underground. The old root system can interfere with the new tree’s attempts to become established. Furthermore, if the old tree had a disease, that disease may still be present in the remaining root tissue, and can be transmitted to the new tree. When replanting is desired, we can discuss finding a location that is far enough from the removed tree to lessen the likelihood of interference from the old root system. If homeowners’ association or municipal restrictions require a tree to be replaced in a certain location, excavation or hand digging may be the only options.

CAN EVERY TREE BE GROUND?

In the case of a tree becoming uprooted (because of storm damage or root rot, for example), the tree cannot be dealt with as easily. If there is a large amount of root material above ground, the tree grinder may be physically unable to reach it. Depending on the type of tree and how it grew, it may pull up a great deal of dirt, turf grass, and other underground material when it falls. What is left after removal an uprooted tree may be more dirt than tree matter, and may not be suitable for use as mulch.

Weather is also a factor that can determine how and when tree removal can be performed. A long period of rain can cause the soil to become waterlogged. Operating a tree grinder in heavy, wet soil can not only make a bigger mess than usual, but can damage the surrounding area due to the weight of the machine. It may be necessary to wait until the area dries out before attempting even a “standard” tree grind.

If a customer has a special circumstance, like an uprooted tree, or there are multiple trees in one area to be ground, we always send an arborist to assess the situation before providing a quote or scheduling the tree grinder.

HOW MUCH DOES TREE REMOVAL COST?

The cost of tree removal is dependent upon three main factors: the size of the tree, the location of the tree, and how deep the grinder needs to go. While we generally provide a tree removal price when we give a quote for tree removal, we are also happy to evaluate any other trees you may want to have ground.

HOW DO I MEASURE A TREE?

The base cost for tree removal is determined by the diameter of the tree in inches, including any above-ground roots. This measurement can be taken before or after a tree is removed. To get the right measurement, it is important to go “from dirt to dirt.” This means measuring from the tree edge or root point (where it touches the dirt) farthest from the trunk to the opposite edge or root point. It is also important to measure from different directions and to take an average measurement, as this most accurately reflects the area to be ground. The “dirt-to-dirt” measurement can be quite a bit larger than the diameter of the tree trunk, and we do see situations where the tree removal is more costly than removing the above-ground tree.

This is a 75-inch tree, measured “dirt to dirt” at the yellow line. Measuring on the trunk is inaccurate: if this tree were measured at the red line, the result would only be 37 inches, which is not the actual area to be ground. Even after a tree is cut down, properly measuring a tree can be tricky when there is a root flare and surrounding vegetation.

CAN THE TREE GRINDER REACH MY TREE?

Our standard tree grinder is a machine that is seven feet long and three feet wide. At the front is a rounded blade (similar to the tip of a chainsaw) that chips away wood as it moves across the tree. The tree grinder is designed to fit through standard gates, but some older or narrow gates may not be able to accommodate it. The weight of the machine may also prevent it from reaching certain areas without damaging walkways or ground cover. While the removal blade has some maneuverability, clearance of at least seven feet on one side of the tree is required to allow the grinder to access the area to be ground. In smaller areas with less clearance, it is possible to use our smaller tree grinder, but this can increase the time and cost of the procedure.

CAN I JUST LEAVE THE TREE?

It is not necessary to grind or otherwise remove a tree after a tree is taken down. We have customers who request a tree not be cut all the way to ground level, and use the remaining tree as a plant stand, table base, or just a yard feature. Even if the tree is cut close to the ground, it can last several years. Preservative coatings can also be applied to prolong the life of a standing tree.

Some homeowners prefer to let a tree decompose naturally over time. Old trees can become habitats for fungi, insects, and other creatures. As the tree breaks down, it can become rich organic material that can be added to compost or used in planting. If a tree is left unground, however, it can continue to send out new growth for years after the tree has been removed. Drilling holes in the tree and filling with Epsom salt or using commercial tree killer can accelerate tree dieback, but those chemicals can be toxic to surrounding plant life. Treating the tree with chemicals can also make the area hazardous to people and pets.

Landscaping Trees

To decide which types of landscape trees are best for your yard, you have to think in terms of the different seasons of the year. Begin by looking at those that are valued for their spring display and end with those trees that offer visual interest in winter. The goal is not simply to have a collection of great specimens in the yard, but rather to have at least one specimen per season that will add pizzazz to your landscaping.

Landscaping Trees for Spring

Magnolia Trees

Spring is for flowers. You have the rest of the year to fuss over the foliage of a tree, the novelty of a tree’s bark, or the pattern in which its branches grow. But when the snow recedes, and life returns, you want color—and lots of it. That is one reason why you can forgive the glorious golden chain tree (Laburnum × watereri) for being a one-hit-wonder. Its critics point out that it is useless outside of that short period of time during the spring season in which it blooms. But nothing furnishes color quite like flowers, whether annuals or perennials, shrubs or trees. Any well-planned yard will contain at least one flowering landscape tree of exceptional beauty. Magnolia trees (Magnolia spp.) are among the showiest specimens. While star magnolias often bloom earlier, saucer magnolias provide a larger bloom.

Apple Trees

You do not have to be a farmer to want to grow apple trees (Malus spp.) in your yard. It is about more than just fruit. Apple trees are beautiful bloomers in their own right. The fruit is a bonus. If you do not care about growing edible fruit, then crabapples will serve your purposes better. A type with rosy-red flowers that reaches a height of 20 to 25 feet is Malus x ‘Centzam’ or Centurion, which can be grown in zones 4 to 8.

Dogwood Trees

You will likely want more than just flowering landscape trees that provide a floral extravaganza in spring. Fortunately, sometimes you get a two-for-one deal (or better) in landscaping. In this case, that means versatile specimens that earn their keep during more than just one of the four seasons. Dogwood trees (Cornus florida and Cornus kousa) offer such a deal: blooms for spring, colorful foliage for fall, berries to attract wild birds in winter, and an interesting branching pattern year-round.

Landscaping Trees for Summer

Shining the sunlight
Japanese Maple Trees
Some Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) are very versatile, too, but in a different way. They are great not only in autumn but also during the summer season. They display the vibrant red color we associate with fall foliage when most other trees still bear green leaves.
Maidenhair Trees
Maidenhair trees (Ginkgo biloba) are very delightful in both summer and fall due to the delicate and interesting shape of their leaves. They are mostly all green in the summer and all golden in the fall.
Gingko tree with yellow and green leaves

Landscaping Trees for Fall

Sugar Maple Trees
The Japanese maples may seem somewhat precocious, giving you fall colors in the summer. But some maples native to North America or Europe are equally beautiful as autumn trees, and they are larger. For example, the great size of the sugar maple (Acer saccharum) allows the tree to fulfill another task of landscape trees: providing shade in summer. The imposing dimensions of these plants (80 feet or more in height, with a spread of up to about 60 feet) also help accentuate their fall color. Even on a cloudy fall day, maples can light up the yard like giant torches.

Katsura Trees

But bigger isn’t always better. A big tree can overwhelm a small yard and actually pose a danger to its inhabitants. A smaller tree is usually better suited to such a yard. Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) is one such choice. The ‘Rotfuchs’ cultivar is one of the best for foliage color. Standing 30 feet tall (with a spread of 16 feet), it bears purplish-bronze leaves in spring, greenish-bronze leaves in summer, and orangey-bronze fall foliage.

Red Maple Trees

The problem with the wild red maple trees (Acer rubrum) is that their fall leaves do not always turn out red. If you want a color that you can count on, select a cultivar, like ‘Autumn Blaze.’ Maples do not have a monopoly on autumn colors; there are many types of trees that offer autumn splendor.

Landscaping Trees for Winter

Close up of Blue spruce (Picea pungens)

Blue Spruce Trees

It is clear that landscape trees play a role in providing visual interest in the yard for spring, summer, and fall. Winter is tougher. When the fall foliage is gone, many yards are left looking drab. But if you have selected your trees wisely, then, when Old Man Winter darkens your doorstep, it is time for your evergreen trees to shine. Take your cue from the holiday season and plant those Christmas classics, the blue spruce trees (Picea pungens).

Dwarf Alberta Spruce Trees

Also popular as an evergreen tree is another kind of spruce, the dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’). You will often see them used in pairs to flank the entryway to a house for a formal look that strives for balance. Because dwarf Alberta spruce trees will remain relatively small for a number of years, people sometimes treat them (at least initially) as container plants.

Three spruce with dense foliage that resemble dwarfs

Arborvitae Trees

Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) does more than just look pretty year-round. This evergreen is widely planted to create living wall privacy fences to screen you from the prying eyes of nosy neighbors. If you are looking for something of intermediate size, try the North Pole arborvitae cultivar.

Arborvitae trees

Nellie R. Stevens Holly
Another tree or shrub that offers winter interest and is planted to form privacy screens is the holly (Ilex spp.), including the Nellie R. Stevens holly. This one is evergreen, too, but with a twist: It is considered a broadleaf evergreen.

Nellie Stevens Holly

Birch Trees

Not all landscape trees planted for winter interest bear evergreen foliage. Some just have interesting branching patterns or an unusually pleasing bark. Birches (Betula spp.) are examples of landscape trees with the latter quality—bark that peels into leathery, paper-like plates.

Some landscaping ideas

1. Well-Maintained Garden Landscape
Pine garden with mix of evergreen shrubs, annuals and perennial flowers in a beautiful national park.
Well-groomed vibrant green grass, seasonal plants, and variegated trees come together to create a stunning landscape. Well thought out landscape designs are appreciated for their creative beauty and the way the plants just seem to tell a story. The pine trees are a great ornamental accent to the space.

2. River Companions
Ornamental japanese-style garden featuring bonsai japanese maples, silver birch surrounded by tall leylandi cypress conifer hedge forming a dense evergreen barrier
Winding rivers and streams carve intriguing patterns through the land. One of the best ways to accentuate the natural flowing pattern is through the use of pine trees and other vegetation. With how many different species of pine trees there are, you’re sure to find the perfect ones for your landscape.

3. Line A Walkway
Oleander bushes and pine trees in mediterranean garden
Lining a walkway with pine trees and other evergreens ensures that the area is constantly full of new life and an abundance of lush color. Pine trees can have needles that range in color from vibrant greens to soothing blues. All these color options prevent any sense of boredom in the landscape!

4. Poolside Treasures
Large rectangular swimming pool with pine trees on the side against the background of the ocean
A palm tree is probably the typical tree you think of when it comes to poolside plants. However, pine trees shouldn’t be overlooked! They’ll add a nice pop and accentuate the pool well. With their evergreen leaves, you’ll never go a day without shade and a gorgeous tree to look at.

In a setting like this, the pine trees also serve as a partial wind-blocking wall.

5. Pine Tree Assortment
Landscape with decorative bushes and pines on a lawn
For a texture-rich landscape, use an assortment of pine trees all around the area. Dwarf pine trees, shrub-like pine trees, sky-reaching pine trees and more. Their various green tones are eye-catching in the landscape.

6. Dwarf Evergreens
Alpine garden
If you love the texture and color that pine trees provide but don’t necessarily want super tall trees in your landscape, then dwarf varieties are for you. There is still a large assortment of dwarf varieties, so you won’t be limited in your planting options whatsoever.

7. Front Yard Accent
View of a pine tree on backyard in a sunny day
One easy way to landscape your front yard is by planting a large pine tree. It serves as a show-stopping centerpiece in the yard since it can’t be missed. Surround your yard with other pine trees to increase the overall aesthetic.