Stein Answers Frequently Asked Tree Removal Questions

Sometimes, you pass a yard and see wide-trunked and towering beauties in a yard that rise a hundred feet over a home or other structure. Though these trees are impressive, are they safe? A certified arborist or other tree care specialist can determine whether a tree is at risk for falling even if no blatant signs exist. The specialist will evaluate the visible signs, like dead branches, fungal growth, dieback, or insect infestation. They will perform other tests, like a resistograph test, to determine if the tree is still viable or if cavities create vulnerability.

A resistograph test is a non-destructive method used to assess the internal condition of trees and timber. The process involves drilling a small hole, measuring resistance, interpreting the graph, and analyzing the results to identify decay, cavities, cracks, and healthy wood areas.

Homeowners who have to get a tree removed from their yards are often concerned about the stump. Specifically, people are worried about the conditions of their landscape when a tree is removed. Of course, a homeowner can leave the stump in the yard, but many reasons exist for removing them.

Leaving a tree stump in your yard can pose several risks, including creating a tripping hazard, damaging equipment, and allowing root growth. Tree stumps can also attract pests, look unsightly, restrict planting space, and reduce property value. Therefore, removing the stump after tree removal is recommended, especially in a high-traffic area.

Professional tree care companies use different methods to remove the stump. For example, Stein Tree Service uses a stump grinder to grind the tree stump into small chips. After stump grinding, our team can use these chips to fill the hole, or we can haul them away. Either way, we can entirely remove the tree in almost all cases.

Homeowners with small yards or homes close to other homes worry that felling a tree could endanger the property or people nearby. For an inexperienced person, this is a genuine concern. However, a professional should do the job whenever a tree is removed, especially a large one. And in a tight space, having the knowledge and skill to make the precise cuts necessary is even more vital. Stein Tree Service has the equipment and skill to remove trees from any area. In fact, we recently removed one from behind some rowhouses in Wilmington, where the only access was through a small tunnel. We are also insured, so homeowners and specialists have protection if an accident should occur.

If trees are planted in a space that is insufficient for their mature size, they may have to be removed to avoid contact with homes or power lines. Homeowners often ask if we can just cut down trees to fit the space. This practice is called tree topping and is very detrimental to the tree.

One of the dangers of tree topping is weakening of the tree. When you remove the top portion of a tree, you remove the primary source of nutrients and energy. This can leave the tree vulnerable to disease, insect infestation, and other environmental stresses. In addition, the many open wounds created by tree topping provide entry points for pests and pathogens to enter the tree. A certified arborist or tree care professional can advise homeowners of the best action if a tree has outgrown its space.