A loyal customer of ours recently drove by his old house and was blown away when he saw the new owners chopping down the large oak tree in the front yard. At first glance, the tree looked fine—it was clearly starting to green out after a long winter. But there they were, cutting off one limb and major branch after the next in a methodical DIY tree removal process.
It wasn’t our customer’s home anymore, so he knew he couldn’t do anything except keep driving. But he did share a few pics with us, and it once again brought up an important question: Is DIY tree removal worth it?
Is DIY Tree Removal Worth It? First Things First: What Is DIY Tree Removal?
Simply put, DIY tree removal is removing a tree yourself.
No professional crew on-site to tackle the job for you. No expensive equipment like tree mulchers, bucket trucks, or cranes—just you, a chainsaw or axe, and whatever tools you happen to have handy in the garage. The job usually ends when someone ties one end of a rope around the tree stump and the other to the tailgate of a big truck and yanks the stump from the ground.
In many cases, you will see homeowners choose this option for smaller trees, such as a crape myrtle or a wild plum. The process in these situations is typically fast, even for a novice. It may also be warranted, especially if the tree is dead or must be removed.
Rarely, however, will you see a homeowner tackle a 25-foot or taller oak tree on their own.
And that’s why our customer was so blown away by what they were seeing. Jobs like that typically require trained professionals and specialized equipment. After all, what might look like a simple weekend project can quickly become complicated—and dangerous—once the cutting actually begins. Even our customer knew the risks, which can include any of the following:
- Unpredictable falling patterns — A tree like that must be properly braced. Cuts must also be strategic and precise. If not, you have no clue which direction a heavy limb or trunk might fall, increasing the odds of damage to your home, vehicles, fences, etc.
- Serious personal injury — Even professionals who attempt tree removals can fall or get hit by fallen branches and limbs. They can also be cut by active chainsaws or an errant swing of an axe.
- Unforeseen liability issues — What if the tree falls in a neighbor’s yard and injures them or destroys their property? What if a neighbor decides to help you and ends up getting hurt on your property?
- Being unable to get rid of the debris — Even if the tree removal goes off without a hitch, that’s only part of the battle. The next step is to remove all the limbs, branches, and, of course, the massive trunk. And let’s not forget about the stump. Most residential trash services won’t pick up that stuff for free. As a result, you could end up having all that debris in your yard for weeks.
- A job that takes way too long — Even if a homeowner has done this type of work in the past, it could take them an entire weekend or longer to do what a tree removal specialist in Denton can do in a fraction of the time.
If you’re unsure whether your tree should be removed, we offer free inspections in Denton and surrounding areas.
What Our Customer Also Knew That the New Homeowner Didn’t
As our customer watched the new homeowner’s progress, they couldn’t help but think about the next-to-impossible task ahead—getting the stump out. We’re talking about a pretty sizeable—and healthy—tree with a massive trunk and equally expansive root system beneath it. You see, oak trees don’t just grow tall. They grow wide underground to ensure a solid foundation upon which to keep growing for years to come. Our customer knew better than anyone after living in that house for 17 years that the tree’s roots stretched across much of the front yard and had been quietly spreading beneath the grass for decades.
So, removing the visible tree was really just the beginning.
Without professional equipment like a stump grinder, homeowners often try to dig it out or pull it loose. And when they eventually succeed, large sections of grass and a patchwork of torn-up dirt and exposed roots will naturally follow.
Learn more about our professional tree removal services in Denton and surrounding communities.
DIY Tree Removal Isn’t Always the Best Approach
Sometimes, especially with a large tree such as this, it is better to seek guidance from a professional tree service company. It could be that the tree didn’t need to be removed to begin with. They could have accomplished everything they wanted with a thorough, strategic tree-pruning session instead. If the tree had needed to be removed, it could have been done in half the time, with far less debris and less taxing cleanup afterward.
As for the stump, that could have been handled quickly, too. Our trained professionals at Clean Edge Tree Service & Removal in Denton, TX, use a SC70 Vermeer stump grinder. This powerful machine features a vertical blade that passes back and forth over the top of the stump. As the blade spins, it chips away at each layer until it can grind it into nothingness.
Our stump grinder grinds even the most stubborn and hard-to-access stumps 24 inches into the ground. By grinding the stump below grade, you instantly reclaim your yard.
- No need to remove it the old-fashioned way
- Reduced hazards
- Protect nearby trees
- Regain space and potentially replant in the same spot
- Reduce the impact of insects and rodents
- Eliminate future tree growth or stump spreading
- Improved property values
We wish the new homeowners nothing but the best with their DIY tree removal. By the looks of the pictures, they’d made some pretty significant headway on their own. But maybe next time, they’ll think twice before trying to tackle such a dangerous project.
Call Clean Edge Tree Service & Removal Today!
We know you have options when it comes to your tree service and removal needs. Clean Edge Tree Service & Removal in Denton, TX, is family-owned and operated and has served Denton and surrounding areas since 2016. More importantly, we have the equipment, experience, and technical know-how to safely and efficiently handle any tree and residential or commercial scenario — from a downed tree in the middle of a storm to trimming a few branches, stump grinding, and removing trees that tower 83 feet in the air.
There isn’t a tree in Denton that we can’t handle. Call Clean Edge Tree Service & Removal today!
