Tree Cutting: 11 Good Reasons to Cut Down a Tree

Large trees near a house in autumn.

Hardwood trees add beauty in autumn and year-round to our homes.

 

Trees offer so much to our lives to make them better. They add to the curb appeal of our homes. They provide shade which can reduce our AC bills in the summer. Trees are even great for the environment, using carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen.

Most people love having beautiful trees in their yards. But trees also come with needs. They must be trimmed, pruned, and have just the right tree treatments to be at their best. 

And sometimes, no matter what you do to care for them, you may have to consider cutting down a tree for a variety of reasons.

Below, we’ll talk about the biggest reasons to cut down a tree as well as the cost to cut down a tree and alternatives to cutting down your entire tree. We’ll also go over some dangers of attempting to cut a large tree down yourself to consider before cutting down trees in your yard.

 

We are your expert local tree service in Columbia, SC

If you need a professional tree service (Lexington, SC or the Columbia, SC area), please give us a call today at 803-521-4978. Or email us at bootsonenterprises@gmail.com 

We also handle emergency tree cutting and removal.

 
A big limb fell from a tree during a storm into the yard.

Large limbs fell from this tree which could be dangerous if it is close to a car or house.

 

11 good reasons to cut down a tree:

As a local tree service, we love to spare trees and help them stay healthy. In fact, we’ll talk about alternatives to cutting trees in the next section. But there are legitimate reasons why a homeowner may decide it’s best to cut down trees in their yard.

Top reasons to consider cutting down a tree:

The tree is…

  1. Dead or rotting.

  2. Diseased or infested with pests.

  3. Significantly damaged from a storm.

  4. A hazard: leaning or dropping large branches.

  5. Causing problems with roots or making a mess.

  6. Unsightly.

  7. In the way of construction/landscaping.

  8. Overcrowded with other trees in the yard.

  9. Lacking structural integrity. 

  10. Preventing grass from growing on the lawn.

  11. Blocking a clear view for drivers on the road or from your home.

  12. Too close to a house or other buildings.

 
Professional tree service expert on a tree limb trimming a large tree.

An expert tree service near you can cut large limbs from a tall tree for you.

 

Alternatives to cutting down trees:

You might think you have to cut down a tree but there may be options to try first before you have to resort to such a severe remedy. And, depending on your town ordinances, you may not even be allowed to cut down large trees without approval from the town council. So it’s important to know the policies and laws in your area.

Sometimes, it’s possible to simply trim a tree, or cut only the dead or diseased branches. Or, if a disease or infestation isn’t too severe, treatment may save the tree. A tree-cutting professional can evaluate your particular tree and give recommendations about the best options for you at the time.

Cut tree branches individually

If only part of the tree is diseased, infested, or dead, you may not have to cut down the entire tree. If your tree has a few dead or diseased branches, it’s possible that the rest of the tree could be saved, depending on the severity of the problem. 

A good tree service near you can take a look and help you decide if cutting a few branches might be a good solution. 

Trim the tree back or top the tree

Tree trimming can be a great option if you have an overgrown tree that is blocking your driveway or interfering with your view when you back out of your driveway. It’s also a great way to shape up a healthy tree that is just overhanging your house a bit too much. 

Or if you just feel the tree is ugly, a good trim might help the tree become a showpiece that you are proud of and then maybe you will be happy to keep the tree in your yard.

What is topping a tree?

Topping a tree means you have the top of the tree cut off. Often, this is done because the tree is too large for its location, or property owners may be afraid of the tree’s tall height. Sometimes, people resort to topping a tree if it had been improperly pruned in the past. Or sometimes, power companies top trees to keep them away from power lines.

Topping the tree does help to reduce the height and the spread of tree branches and leaves. It may look a bit awkward. Talk with your tree service in Columbia, SC about whether this is a good option for your situation or if it could affect the structural integrity of your tree.

Treat tree diseases/pests

When trees are very stressed by the environment — due to drought, fire, wind, flooding, or chemical exposure — they are more likely to develop diseases or infestations. 

It’s important to recognize diseased trees early and take care of them before the trees have to be cut down for safety reasons.

Tree treatments can help get rid of tree fungus, mildew, and invasive insects that may be harmful to a tree’s health. If you catch it early enough, you may be able to spare the tree and nurse it back to health.

 
Big trees line a residential neighborhood street.

A beautiful tree-lined street. Mature trees add so much character to a neighborhood.

 

How much does it cost to cut down a tree?

Tree-cutting costs depend on a lot of factors including how large the tree is, whether it is close to a house or other structures that could be damaged, and what kind of equipment is needed to safely and carefully remove the tree.

For example, a huge live oak tree that has many heavy branches hanging directly over your home is going to be more difficult to remove than a pine tree that is nowhere close to any structures and is easy to access with equipment.

Other factors that go into the cost to cut down a tree include whether you will want tree removal service, stump grinding, and tree root removal.

Tree-cutting prices can range from several hundred dollars for a small tree to many thousands of dollars for a large tree in a difficult spot.

Cutting down a large tree is a job requiring a customized quote from a reputable tree care service in order for you to get an exact price.

The good news is, if you are looking for a tree-cutting service in Columbia, SC, we can offer you a free estimate for your tree-cutting job. Call us at 803-521-4978 today for a free quote. Or email us at bootsonenterprises@gmail.com.

Which is cheaper: tree trimming or cutting a tree down?

Generally, trimming a tree one time is cheaper than cutting a tree completely down. However, if you will need to trim the tree every three years or so, over time, it could be that taking the tree down may be less expensive in the long run.

Talk with a reputable tree-cutter near you to find out which is cheaper for your particular situation.

 
A large tree fell onto a house with white siding after a storm.

A tree falling on a house after heavy rains can be a nightmare.

 

Can I cut down a tree in my yard myself?

Tree cutting is a difficult job that is best left to a qualified tree-cutting service for all but very small trees. Large trees can weigh many thousands of pounds. Even a large limb falling on someone can be fatal if it is heavy enough. Tree cutting is not a job for someone who isn’t sure what to do.

All you have to do is watch videos online (or on TV) of people who don’t have much experience with cutting down large trees to see the unfortunate results of trees falling on houses, vehicles, or even people or pets. You may have heard horror stories among your friends and family of people who thought they could handle cutting down a tree.

Sadly, we are all too familiar with people trying to cut down trees themselves and then ended up with severe injuries or even deaths. If you do decide to cut down a tree yourself and something goes wrong, you’ll quickly realize it wasn’t worth it.

Saving a few thousand dollars to avoid paying an expert tree-cutting company may sound tempting. But if you end up with tens of thousands of dollars in damage to your home or medical bills and disability issues, looking into using professional tree-cutting services may actually save you a lot.

 
A big tree fell into a house and destroyed the roof and wall.

Cutting down a large tree yourself can be risky.

 

Cutting down an unsafe tree protects your family and property

If you are in Lexington or Richland County in South Carolina and know that you have a dead or diseased tree or dead limbs that could cause harm to other people or a neighbor’s property, let us take care of it right away before it hurts anyone or anything. 

Maybe there is a tree in your yard that often drops large branches every time there is a storm. Or perhaps you have a tree that is leaning dangerously toward your house or someone else’s property and it makes you nervous. And you’d like to have some peace of mind that this large tree won’t fall on your home. A tree service expert can help offer the best solutions for your situation.

9 signs a tree is unsafe due to damage or infection:

  1. Discolored or oddly shaped leaves.

  2. Dead branches toward the top of the tree.

  3. Soft wood.

  4. Obvious fungal growth.

  5. Lots of woodpecker holes.

  6. Half or more of the tree is dead or damaged.

  7. Mushrooms growing heavily near the tree’s base.

  8. Large cracks, holes, wounds, or splits in the tree’s trunk.

  9. The tree is hollow inside.

If you aren’t sure about a tree in your yard, contact a tree specialist to help you decide what can be done to take care of the tree and prevent problems.

A South Carolina tree service cutting down a big tree near a house.

An SC tree service can take care of your tree emergencies to help keep you safe.

Emergency tree-cutting services

If you have a tree fall on your property during a storm and an emergency tree-cutting service, it’s important to have someone you can call at any time, day or night. You can’t always wait around to get on someone’s schedule during business hours to cut the tree off of your roof or to move it from blocking your driveway.

If you have a storm-damaged tree that is partially uprooted, don’t wait. Get it looked at right away.

Or, maybe you suddenly realize that you have a hazardous tree on your property and a storm or high winds are coming later in the week and you want to prevent a disaster. Emergency tree cutting or removal can be incredibly valuable for the prevention of problems before they happen.

For 24-hour emergency tree service, contact us at 803-521-4978.

 

Finding the best tree service near you in Columbia, SC

Are you looking for a tree service (Lexington, SC, Irmo or the greater Columbia, SC area). You need someone with experience to help with cutting trees down in your yard. We are bonded, insured, and ready to assist you with any of your tree service needs.

We are a local tree-cutting service in Columbia SC. Give us a call today, we’d be glad to help. 803-521-4978. Or email us at: bootsonenterprises@gmail.com

We service areas like Lexington, Chapin, Irmo, Ballentine, West Columbia, Cayce, downtown Columbia, Blythewood, Spring Valley, and more.

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