Let’s be honest—most people only think about tree removal when a big limb drops on the driveway or the roots start pushing up their patio. But once it’s time to actually get a tree taken out, the questions come fast: How long does it take? Will it wreck the yard? What happens to the trunk? Is the stump going to stay? This guide walks through what really happens during tree removal, without the sales pitch or the corporate brochure tone. Discover what happens during tree removal with this step-by-step guide – from the first call to the final cleanup.
What Happens During Tree Removal? Step-by-Step Guide
Why Trees Are Removed and When It’s Necessary
Trees are removed for three main reasons:
- They’re dead
- Dangerous
- In the way
A dead tree isn’t just an eyesore—it’s a hazard waiting to fall. One strong gust or a wet storm and that hollow trunk becomes a battering ram. Other trees may be alive but sick, leaning dangerously close to your home or other structures, or dropping limbs.
Sometimes, it’s less dramatic. Tree roots can crowd the foundation or a construction project needs the space. Either way, removal isn’t random. It usually comes after the tree has become a problem that pruning alone can’t solve.
What the Prep Process Looks Like Before The Tree Removal Process Starts
Before the first cut is made, there’s a lot of quiet work. A professional tree removal service crew shows up early to scout the site. They will flag obstacles, and figure out the safest way to dismantle the tree. Tree removal is not a one-size-fits-all project.
A tall oak tree that is close to power lines is a different animal from a dying birch in the middle of a field. Prep might include:
- Notifying the utility company,
- Coordinating crane access
- Simply laying plywood over the lawn to avoid tearing up the turf or damaging the area around the tree
For jobs where limbs need to be roped and lowered or if there’s a chance of debris hitting a structure, it gets mapped out in advance. You don’t want anyone winging it with a chainsaw.
How Different Services Handle Safety and Equipment
This part separates professionals from weekend warriors. A legit removal crew wears full PPE—helmets, face shields, climbing harnesses—and doesn’t cut corners on safety. They use more than just chainsaws. Depending on the size of the tree, more significant equipment may include:
- Rigging systems
- Ropes
- Pulleys
- Bucket trucks
- Cranes
Every move is about controlling where the tree goes and keeping the team out of harm’s way. Smaller trees might come down in one piece with a straight fell. Larger trees are dismantled limb by limb, lowered carefully to the ground.
If a service isn’t walking you through how they plan to do the job safely, that’s not a service you want on your property.
Comparing Cleanup, Disposal, and Tree Stump Handling
Once the tree’s on the ground, cleanup starts. And this is where the job either ends clean or turns into a mess. Full-service crews chip branches, cut logs into haulable sections, rake up stray debris, and leave the yard looking like they were never there.
Some services offer to leave the wood for firewood or mulch; others remove it all. Stump handling is where pricing starts to vary. Some companies grind it down below the soil line as part of the job, others charge extra.
Full stump removal (roots and all) is more complex and rarely necessary unless you’re replanting or installing hardscaping. Always ask what’s included, because If you don’t, you may end up with a surprise stump in the middle of your lawn.
Your Tree Removal Guide: What to Ask Before Hiring a Tree Removal Contractor
If you’re shopping for a tree service, don’t just ask, “How much?” Ask what’s actually included.
Does the quote cover cleanup, Stump grinding or Permits?
What’s the timeline? Will they protect nearby plants or fences? Are they insured, and can they prove it?
It’s easy to get lured by the lowest price, but that usually means cut corners or surprise add-ons later.
A reputable contractor will walk you through their plan, put it in writing, and stand behind their work. If they seem vague or disorganized, keep looking. You’re not paying them just to cut a tree—you’re paying them to not mess everything else up while doing it.
DIY tree removal isn’t the way to go. It’s dangerous, especially when dealing with larger trees. Contact a certified arborist or professional tree removal service to get the job done right.
For many, tree removal is a simple cut-and-done job. But there’s a lot more that goes behind the scenes! Planning the safest takedown method, for example, is the #1 priority that you might not be fully well-equipped to do.
Tree Services of Omaha – Tree Removal Services
Tree Services of Omaha, Nebraska is a full-service tree care provider that offers a wide range of arborist services including but not limited to: Tree Removal Services, Tree Trimming, Tree Pruning, Tree and shrubs Shaping, Stump Removal, Stump Grinding, Emerald Ash Borer Treatment, Arborist Consultations, Systemic Tree Injection (Tree Healthcare).
Contact us today for a free estimate!
