Understanding the Tree Removal Process in North Port, FL

Trees are a beautiful part of landscape design, but like all plants, they eventually die. And the death of a tree carries more complications than the death of a bush or flower.

Due to their large size and weight, they represent a serious safety hazard. Especially in Florida, where hurricanes and storms can increase the risk of your tree being knocked over. 

That's why it's important to remove trees from your yard when they die. This can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in repair bills down the line. 

Understanding the signs that you need tree removal, what the process entails, and what you should do afterward can help you make an informed decision about your yard's trees. 

Signs You Need Tree Removal

There are a number of signs that indicate you need to remove a tree. In general, look for signs of ill health.

This can take the form of missing branches, leaves, or bark. Leaves that fall off in large quantities out of season are a clear indication of root damage or disease.

You should also pay attention to the slant of the tree. A dead or dying tree will begin to lean, which can point to the fact that it may fall over soon. A tree that is leaning towards your property, or over your driveway, is a priority to remove. 

Finally, pay attention to pests and fungus. A pest population living in and around your tree means that the trunk itself may be infested. Given long enough, that infestation can kill the tree and spread to other plants.

Fungus, on the other hand, means that your tree is already dead. Fungal growth occurs on dead matter, and will slowly break it down. This will undermine the structural stability of the tree trunk, making a collapse more likely. 

The Tree Removal Process

Noticing one of the above signs means you should probably have a tree removal specialist inspect your yard. Noticing multiple signs means you need to get in touch with a specialist straight away. 

The tree specialist will inspect the tree, determine what's the matter with it, and tell you if removal is necessary - or if trimming and pruning can improve the health of your tree. 

In the case that the tree needs to be removed, they'll begin trimming away branches from the trunk. They'll also plan directions for the tree to fall, so that it lands on a safe patch of grass and not on your property or other parts of your yard. 

The cutting process can usually be done in about a day, depending on how large the tree is. Once the branches are removed, the removal specialists will make two 45 degree angle cuts in the trunk on the side that they want to hit the ground. This cut will go into the trunk a few inches deep, depending on how wide it is.

Then, they'll use a handsaw (for small trees) or a chainsaw (for larger trees) to cut straight through the trunk from the opposite side. They won't cut all the way through, but will instead stop before the undercut and let the weight of the tree bring it down safely. 

Once the tree is down, they'll chop up the trunk into larger stumps that you can repurpose as chairs or decorations, or turn into mulch for your flowerbeds! Otherwise, you can have the trunks thrown out. 

What to do Afterwards

Once the tree is removed, however, you're quite done. The trunk is still in the ground, and depending on where your tree was located, it may be an obstacle to yardwork and a tripping hazard. 

Another thing to note is that your tree is not necessarily dead. The roots may continue to grow and spread, which can cause plumbing problems or even lead to a new tree growing.

You have two options: you can either grind the stump down below soil level, breaking up the wood of the trunk into mulch before covering it all up with dirt, or you can remove the trunk.

Trunk removal is a much more involved process, as the trunk has to be dug up from the ground, as well as the entire root ball that is attached. For larger trees, the amount of digging involved can drastically increase the price.

In most cases, stump grinding is good enough to get your yard back in order and kill the tree once and for all. However, stump removal is the only way to completely eliminate the entire root network that still exists under the ground.

In rare cases, a ground stump can still grow back, which can cause complications in your yard and with the plumbing buried underneath it. 

Of course, you need to balance your current budget with potential future costs. Since stump regrowth is rare, you can usually get away with just grinding down the stump. 

No matter which you choose, it's important that you go with a contractor that offers a wide range of tree services. This means that your workers can begin the grinding or stump removal process right after removing the tree itself. 

Consult a Professional First

For any questions or to book a tree removal in your North Port, Florida yard, feel free to get in touch with us! Our team of experienced professionals has had years of experience working in the community to remove trees and restore your landscape. 

Contact Us Today To Get Started On Your Project