Felling the cost of tree removal
By Michelle Warren • Bankrate.com

When I announced my intention to plant a few trees in our recently reclaimed backyard (it was a glorified parking lot when we moved in), my visiting father-in-law had a warning: "Every time you plant a tree, it eventually costs you money."

I thought his words a bit ominous, but he knows first hand that tree maintenance is a long-term commitment. After he and his wife moved into their home 30-odd years ago, the naked lot begged for greenery. They planted with zeal, but a few decades later those lovely little trees had grown into invasive monsters and eventually 20 had to be removed. It was an expensive lesson.

Dollars and cents
Professional tree removal can cost $300 to $20,000 a pop. However, "anywhere from $700 to $3,000 is more typical" says Richard Ubbens, director of urban forestry, with the City of Toronto.

True, $20,000 is extreme; but Bobby Reddy, of GTA Tree Experts in Toronto, warns it can happen. "Cost depends on the location," he says, adding the size and health of the tree also play key roles.

Cutting down a tree is rarely as simple as firing up the chainsaw. That's why Ubbens always advises using a certified professional rather than doing it yourself. An experienced arborist will evaluate the situation to decide the best method of removal. In many cases, it's not safe or practical to allow a tree to free fall. Often there are hazards, such as power lines or other structures, that must be considered.

The most common type of tree removal is rigging, which involves climbers cutting upper branches and lowering them with ropes. If rigging isn't an option -- perhaps the tree is dead and not safe to climb -- cranes are often used. In an emergency, removing a large, dangerous tree may require several workers and at least two cranes to handle the three- or four-ton pieces. That's when the cost can quickly escalate into the thousands.

Ubbens says this is avoidable if people are proactive. He recommends having a professional examine and prune a tree every seven to 10 years. "You should not wait till the last minute when the tree is hazardous because it's going to cost a lot more money to do it in a rush," he says.

Think before you cut
Before removing a tree, carefully consider your motive. If the tree is unhealthy or dying, there may be an alternative. "Sometimes it's cheaper to return a tree to health," says Ubbens. Careful pruning may be the answer for unruly trees -- it's easier and about one-fifth the cost of removal. While some may balk at paying $300 for pruning, it's a relative bargain when you look at the big picture.

There's more to removing a tree than cutting it down, says Muriel Dufour, a representative for Lawn Rangers in Moncton, New Brunswick. The wood must be cut up and removed or made into chips; and then there are the costs of repairing the area. This might include new topsoil, grass and, most importantly, new greenery.

"The biggest oxymoron in the business is a lot of tree companies don't plant trees, they just remove them," says Ubbens. "One of the most important parts of tree removal is planting a new tree."

It's a good idea to plant as soon as possible after the original tree is removed. A better idea is to plant a few years before removing a tree so you have maturing greenery rather than a huge void.

Chainsaw-wielding maniac versus arborist
When hiring a tree removal company, check that it has a registered arborist on staff. Most are certified with the International Society of Arboriculture or registered with the American Society of Consulting Arborists. Also ensure the company has adequate insurance should property be damaged, or someone be injured during the removal.

Get several estimates. "It's usually a bidding process," says Reddy. Be clear about the scope of the project -- consider disposing of the tree, removing the stump and roots, and replanting the area.

Removal rules
"One of the first questions you're going to ask a professional is, 'Are there any by-laws in the area,'" says Ubbens.

While it's usually OK to remove a dead or diseased tree, in many municipalities you can't simply cut down a mature healthy tree -- even if it's on private property. In Toronto, for example, the Private Tree By-law requires a permit (which costs $100 to $300) for cutting down any tree that's more than 30 cm in diameter or 1.4 metres tall. The City of Toronto Municipal Code stipulates that anyone who cuts down such a tree without permission is subject to a fine as much as $10,000, for first-time offenders, and $20,000 for subsequent offences.

"It puts a process in place of ensuring people get expert advice," says Ubbens. "A lot of times people don't know what they're dealing with."

Trees on municipal-owned property, often the boulevard in front of your house, are not your responsibility. Contact the local municipal office to report a dead or dangerous tree, and they'll oversee removal and replacement.

My father-in-law was right -- something as simple as planting a tree comes with long-term responsibilities (unless, of course you move, then it becomes someone else's expense). But, if you're proactive -- plant species that are native to the area and avoid emergencies by using professionals to properly maintain greenery -- then costs are minimal, while the benefits of lovely mature trees are priceless.

Michelle Warren is a writer in Toronto.