In the words of Cher… “If I could tuuuuuuuuurn back tiiiiiiiime. If I could fiiiiiiiiiind a waaaaaaaay. I’d plant this pretty oak tree not on top of the house.”
No doubt the tree started out much smaller, but over the years it grew into a real risk for the house. After our home inspector checked the roots and measured their proximity to the foundation, we weren’t surprised when he told us, “this tree has got to go.”
Even if we could have magically suppressed root growth, a large portion of the canopy hung directly over the roof. That meant that even a single falling branch in a storm could damage our new roof. The consequences would have been far worse if the entire tree had failed—something we’ve seen happen in severe storms.
We’ve watched destructive storms roll through the area over the last few years, and in Hurricane Irene a tree fell on the house right behind ours. That memory made the decision to remove hazardous trees much easier.
Once we decided to remove the deck tree, we asked an arborist friend to join us and reviewed the inspector’s notes. Together we identified several other problematic trees—three in the front yard and one behind the deck. Some were simply too close to the house and too large; others showed obvious signs of decay, with holes, rot, or partial hollowing. Those conditions make a tree far more likely to fall than a healthy, solid trunk.
We had used the same crew years ago at our first house to remove a massive split tree that was dead in the center. The company, led by William, came recommended by friends and by our previous experience. He’s easy to work with, professional, and it felt reassuring to hire someone we trusted.
The job itself is intense. Watching climbers work high above the roof, maneuvering with chainsaws and balancing on limbs, is nerve-wracking and incredible. There’s a lot of precise calculation involved—angles, momentum, and trajectory—so that cut sections swing away from the house instead of toward it. It’s equal parts math, experience, and nerves of steel.
This was the view from our guest room window—no zoom—illustrating just how close the tree had grown to the house and how careful the crew had to be.
Some of the trees were startlingly hollow. One trunk had a cavity large enough that it could have fit multiple small people comfortably. Seeing that level of decay made us grateful we hadn’t waited longer to act.
After removing the back trees, the yard still looks leafy but without that looming “tree-on-the-house” danger. The difference in the front yard is even more dramatic: losing three large trees opened things up considerably. We’d hoped to keep at least one, but safety won out. The removal has let in more light, improved conditions for growing grass in our patchy yard, and should help keep our roof and siding drier—reducing future rot and extending the life of exterior materials.
It wasn’t cheap—a few thousand dollars—but the peace of mind is worth it. Tree removal costs vary widely depending on tree size, accessibility (for example, whether a crane is needed), and your region. In our area, taking down a medium-sized oak near a house typically runs $1,000–$2,000. When removing multiple trees, each additional tree usually costs less because the crew and equipment are already on site. For example, one tree might be quoted at $1,000, but getting five done could be negotiated to a bundled price that’s significantly lower per tree.
Here are a few practical tips we learned for negotiating and hiring tree services:
- Get several estimates unless you already have a trusted company. Comparing quotes helps you understand the local price range.
- Make sure any company you hire is licensed and insured—this is a dangerous job and you don’t want liability gaps.
- Remind them if you’re a repeat customer; that can sometimes earn a discount.
- Save competitor coupons—many local companies will honor a competitor’s offer to win the job.
- When negotiating, smile and ask politely, “Is that your best price?” Then listen. You’ll often get some discount, free stump grinding, or another perk.
This project was one of Clara’s favorites. She loved watching the wood chipper, seeing the crew up in the trees, and standing on the remaining stumps. We considered using part of the deck tree as a table base, but the stump’s position would have placed a table too close to the house to be functional.
Instead we asked the crew to cut a few thick rounds to keep as stepping stones and the rest was chipped and recycled as mulch. Those rounds were deceptively heavy and could only be moved with the crew’s tractor, so it was entertaining to watch them place each piece with heavy machinery.
As an unexpected epilogue, deer have been creeping around our new yard. While taking after photos of the cleared areas, John spotted a deer right behind me. I didn’t notice at first, then I did and snapped a quick photo—until Burger barked and it bounded away. We feel lucky to live where wildlife still visits, and grateful to still have enough leafy trees to keep the neighborhood feeling like a little fairy tale forest.
Anyone else having trees limbed, trimmed, or removed? It’s oddly compelling to watch professionals at work—if there were a TV show devoted to taking down giant trees, I would definitely tune in.