FAQ

How much does Willmar Minnesota tree services cost?

Usually, trees that are no more than 30 feet in height, for example Russian Olive trees, will cost anywhere from $75 to $450. However trees that exceed this 30 foot height, can also reach up to 60 feet may cost anywhere from $150 on the low end and $875 on the high end. In extreme scenarios depending on the difficulty of the tree for access and cutting, trees may cost upwards of $1500 just for a trim.

 

How much can topping a tree in Willmar Minnesota cost?

The practice of topping a tree can cost upwards of $1450. The price depends on the overall size of the tree with the goal to reduce the tree size. Topping a tree is no longer an approved maintenance technique as the act can cause extreme stress, poor branch unions, and large rot pockets to form on the tree. Always talk to a qualified tree care individual before proceeding with tree topping, they might have a better suggestion or solution to keep your tree healthy.

 

What makes an arborist and a forester different in Willmar MN?

Loosely, an arborist is more dedicated to the health and performance of individual trees, with their programs focused more on the Urban Forest setting, while a Forester is usually a consultant to large tracts of land and trees, managing them for lumber production instead of overall aesthetics and beauty.

 

How often do arborists utilize saws or chainsaws around Willmar MN?

Arborists are highly trained in all things tree related, which often includes the safe and responsible operation of cutting tools like chainsaws, pruning saws, and pole saws. Saws must be regularly maintained to ensure proper cuts and fast production. Saws are sharpened before each job, a dull chainsaw can be more dangerous than a razor sharp one!

 

What size chainsaw is needed to cut down trees around Willmar MN?

Full sized trees around Willmar MN can often reach large and intimidating sizes. You always want to use a saw larger than the tree you are cutting, allowing the bar to reach entirely across the trunk of the tree. The most utilized size of a pro saw around Willmar MN is 28 inches, with the largest saws running bars over 60 inches and 120cc motors!

 

Does the city of Willmar MN cut down trees?

Willmar MN does have an urban forester consultant who oversees planting, trimming, tree risk assessments, and often removal of trees along the boulevards and parks of Willmar. They will often have the City Crew trim for vehicle clearance, trees pushing up sidewalks, and removing dead or dying trees on city property.

 

How can I get free trees in Willmar MN?

There are a few different ways to get free trees around the area. Oftentimes the Soil and Water Conservation District for your county will provide trees either free or at low cost. They usually can also assist in planting trees, but are most often utilized for windbreaks or shelterbelts. You can also plant trees from seeds, the easiest one being the oak tree, all you need is a pot of dirt, an acorn, and some time to get your free tree!

 

What time of year will it be cheaper for me to remove a tree in Willmar MN?

The beginning of the year, like February and March, will normally be significantly cheaper to have a tree removed than other months. Without leaves on the trees and with solid firm ground trees are easier to clear and clean, making less work for a crew meaning less money. On the same note, you do not want to wait too long, tree service companies can get very busy during late spring, so it is important to get on their schedule as soon as possible.

 

Why are Trees so costly to remove around Willmar MN?

Tree work can be incredibly costly for a few reasons. Very specialized and expensive equipment is needed such as bucket trucks, large loaders, and sizable dumping trailers. This equipment is not only expensive but requires costly maintenance at regular intervals. More often than not using this machinery is done on busy streets requiring traffic control and extra safety precautions, adding to the continued high cost. Tree work is also one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, with men working around large equipment, dangerous tools, and at high elevation for hours at a time.

 

What are the tree removal laws around Willmar MN?

The standard rule of thumb is if someone removes, damages, cuts down or trims a tree without asking permission from the tree’s owner, the person who owns the tree will likely be able to sue for compensation for the harm done and a judge will likely enforce that right.

 

Who has to pay if your neighbor’s tree falls into your yard from out of their yard in Willmar MN?

If there were no obvious signs of defects the tree’s owner will likely not be held completely responsible for the fallen tree and an insurance agency will call it an “act of god”. If the tree was obviously defective or damaged and the neighbor failed to have the tree removed or corrected they can be held liable for any damages caused and cost of the removal.

 

Should tree branches hang over your house’s roof?

Tree branches should stay at least 6 to 10 feet away from your roof or shingles. This prevents damage to the roof if the branches rub on the roof or cause mold to grow from lack of sunlight drying up the roof structure.

 

How closely can you plant a tree to your property line in Willmar MN?

You can plant a tree anywhere you would like on your property, but in general any planted tree should be atleast 5 feet away from the property line. It is important to remember that any part of the tree hanging over the property line is technically your neighbors and they are allowed to trim or cut anything hanging over the property line.

 

Should I leave the dead branches on my trees?

Trees will often have dead branches, it is not unusual for a tree to “self prune” branches that do not provide the tree with enough energy. Dead branches do not help the tree and could prevent the tree from healing that spot in a useful manner, closing off the old wound and preventing disease and pests from invading at that spot. It is important to remember however that no one removes dead branches in the forest where trees continue to grow happily and healthy, so dead wood removal is not entirely necessary to the health and wellbeing of a tree.

 

How close to my neighbors property can I plant a new tree?

A good rule of thumb is 3-6 feet away from the property line. If the tree is installed on the property line it is considered common property, giving your neighbor full rights to do what they would like to the tree. 3-6 feet gives the tree plenty of space to grow before invading your neighbors property, but it is still a good idea to talk to the neighbors before installing a tree in any sort of close proximity.

 

Can I leave a completely dead tree standing?

Dead trees are an integral part of the natural resource ecosystem, providing habitat for birds, small mammals, and bugs. Bugs in trees provide great feeding for the birds we all like to watch, so a standing dead tree on your property can be very beneficial to your property, as long as the dead tree could potentially fall without harming any people or structures, as all dead trees will eventually fall to the ground. Another option is to drop a dead tree but leave it on the ground where it will continue to rot, giving ground dwelling creatures food and shelter without having the risk of the tree falling where it should not.

 

How do you know if my tree needs to be cut down?

There are a multitude of factors that come into play when deciding if a tree needs to be removed. If the tree is close to the house stressing you out every time the wind blows, you are starting to see a large amount of dead in the tree, there are woodpecker holes as they chase bugs, the large limbs are looking like they may peal off, or you are seeing hollow cavities forming on the trunk are all reasons that a tree may need to be removed.

 

Is there a bad time to remove trees around Willmar MN?

The biggest concern when removing trees is how removing the tree can impact wildlife. During the spring a tree removal could affect the breeding and nesting season of birds, but in the late fall/winter it could remove a vital piece of shelter for mammals. Even though it can remove shelter during the winter months it is still the best time due to the lack of leaves on the tree and firm ground conditions. Spring is the worst time to remove a tree as the ground is very soft and animals are just coming out of hibernation.

 

Can you save a tree that is halfway dying?

You can often save a tree that has died halfway, but it depends on how much effort and time you want to put into the tree as well as what is causing it to die. You need to prune off any diseased and dying branches to prevent disease from spreading, treat the tree to get rid of any pests that are causing its decline, and mitigate any root or ground issues that have made the root system weak leading to its death. While costly, if you can save the tree it is worth the investment as having another full mature tree in your yard will take years.

 

What is the easiest and cheapest way to remove my tree?

The cheapest thing to do with a tree is to feel it at the base and cut the wood up for firewood while burning the branches and debris. It is very labor intensive and time consuming, but the reward is great firewood and possibly good compost all while saving money.

 

How can I cut down a tree in my yard by myself?

Tree felling can be risky and should only be done by someone with skill and experience. You determining the direction that you want the tree to go, clear out around the base of the tree, prepare and plan any escape routes you may need, make your angled cut in line with where the tree needs to go, set your hinge cut, make a back cut, and possibly wedge over the tree. After it is on the ground you buck up the limbs and wood, load everything onto a trailer or feed it into a chipper, dispose of all the wood and limbs, and decide what you will do with the stump.

 

How can you dig up a tree to move it without harming the tree?

First you need to prepare the ground, watering the soil every day for at least 3 days prior to moving the tree. Cautiously dig the soil away from the root being careful to not damage any large and necessary roots, then wrap the root ball in burlap and water the root ball, keeping it moist at all times. Move the tree into its new location, and plant it in a new hole, opening up the roots and removing any caging around the roots to prevent girdling roots. Spread out the roots so they grow properly and plant the tree at the correct depth to ensure it grows happy and healthy. Water often for the first few days, and keep the tree watered to encourage new root growth.

 

Do tree roots continue to grow even after they are cut?

Tree roots can continue to grow long after the tree is removed, even if the stump is ground out. It depends on the tree species, some trees have a lot of energy accumulated in the trump/root system and will continue to sprout new growth. Keep any new growth cut so the tree does not continue to store energy and it will eventually die and rot.

 

What is the largest tree you can move or transplant around Willmar MN?

It depends on the species of tree and how involved you get in its transplant procedure. Trees up to 10 in in diameter can be spayed and transplanted relatively successfully, but anything larger requires a more delicate procedure where you unearth the entire root system without cutting any roots then move the tree into its new home.

 

How many trees survive being transplanted?

There is a high success rate for transplanting trees, with most of the success coming down to the after transplant care of the tree. Frequent and proper watering is necessary for a tree’s success, and deep root fertilization can increase the chances of survival to nearly 95 percent! The location of the transplanted tree also helps determine the survival rate, making sure the tree is in proper soil that it needs for its specific type of tree is crucial.

 

What is a Tree Trimmer Called?

Tree service workers and trimmers are often called arborists. They cut dead, overgrown, and dying branches from trees to make room for future development, utility and power lines, roads, walking paths, and new houses. Often times these arborists are focused on improving the health and wellbeing of trees and some even specialize in treating and diagnosing diseases while informing the customer of proper tree care.

 

What is the difference between an arborist and a tree trimmer?

An arborist is a specialist in diagnosing and treating not only dying trees and branches but the underlying cause of the trees’ downfall. Tree trimmers often have a conflict of interest if you want to save the tree, they may push to have you remove it, while an arborist can provide you with the proper treatment plan to save your tree.

 

Is trimming a tree good for it?

Trimming is a vital part in growing a safe and healthy tree that we can coexist with. Trimming the tree helps it grow in a certain configuration with proper branch structure to provide long life and safety in storms and wind. Trees are often growing too close to structures and need to be trimmed to give proper clearance to buildings roofs or siding.

 

Should you trim lower branches on trees?

When the low branches of a tree are riddled with pests or disease, trimming or removing them will help prevent the disease spreading to other parts of the tree, causing problems for the tree in the future. Correct pruning techniques will also help the tree grow strong branches, stable unions, and help the tree focus its nutrients and energy into growing its main limbs.

 

What part of a tree should not be cut?

Care must be taken to ensure proper pruning techniques are used when trimming a tree, otherwise damage and tree health issues can pop up, leaving the tree vulnerable to an early death or pest infestation. When making a pruning cut you do not want to be too close to the trunk, these oversized cuts can end up into the bark of the main limb delaying the tree’s healing over the old wound. Care must also be taken to make sure the stub is not left too long, also delaying healing as the tree tries to cover a large stub.

 

How do you tell if a tree needs to be trimmed?

When trees get too large for their planted space, interfering with the surrounding houses, buildings, or utility lines, then it should be trimmed. It is also important to maintain your tree for health, removing dead, dying, rubbing, or diseased limbs before they become a problem to the rest of your tree.

 

Do tree branches grow back after trimming?

If proper pruning techniques are used, tree branches will not grow back from the cut. Instead of regrowth the tree will grow what appears to look like a callus or scar over the pruning cut, helping the tree prevent pests and decay from entering the cut. Since the tree is sealing itself, you should not apply any sealer which can delay the healing process for the tree.

 

Are dead trees easier to cut down?

After a tree dies the water in the tree’s system starts to drain, after a few months to years the wood becomes very brittle, not nearly as flexible and strong as it once was. Due to this, it is more dangerous to cut down a dead tree as branches can snap unexpectedly, and when the tree falls all the branches break into many little pieces, making the cleanup much more labor intensive.

 

Do trees know when they are cut down?

Trees do not have a nervous system like humans or other animals, but they can still tell when something is happening to them. Tree sends electrical signals to the rest of its limbs when it is experiencing something similar to what we would call pain.

 

Should you seal a tree wound?

More often than not it is better for the tree to heal and seal the wound on their own. Over time trees have developed an efficient and effective system for wounds, compartmentalizing the wounds they experience with new cells and growth, preventing the damage from spreading any further.