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There are many reasons why a homeowner may want to trim or cut down their tree. Perhaps the tree is too close to your home, causing damage when it falls in high winds. Maybe the roots have grown underneath your foundation and you need someone with an excavator to remove them before they cause any more damage. The question remains though- which is better?
If you only need the small branches trimmed off of your tree, then it may be cheaper forbudg you to hire a professional arborist who can do this quickly and efficiently. However, if the entire trunk needs removal, then cutting down will probably be less expensive than hiring an arborist every few years for maintenance.
One of the most common questions people ask is whether it’s cheaper to trim a tree or cut it down in Sydney. According to gotreequotes.com.au the answer is that it depends on many factors, such as the type of tree and the number of hours needed to complete the job. In this blog post, we will break down how much each method would cost you for three different scenarios: small trees (up to 10 feet), medium-sized ones (11-25 feet) and large (26+ feet).
Why the size matters
The size of the tree is extremely important when it comes to deciding between cutting it down and trimming. The bigger the job, the more expensive it will be (obviously). A small-sized tree can cost as little as $300-$500 for a complete cut down of the trunk and removal from your yard. Trimming this same would only cost $100-$300, which is cheaper than the price for cutting it down.
For larger trees that are over 25 feet in height, you may need to cut them down completely because they can be extremely difficult to trim effectively without causing damage or getting dangerously close to electrical lines and buildings. Cutting a large one would range between $800-$2000 depending on how complicated it is to remove the tree from your yard.
What are the factors that affect the cost?
There are three major questions you should ask yourself before hiring someone to cut down or trim a tree in order to determine which method will be cheaper for you:
- What type of trees do I need trimmed/cut down?
- How many hours will it take to complete the job?
- How much space is needed for the disposal of the remains after it has been cut down?
1. What type of trees do I need trimmed/cut down?
In order to determine which type of trees you need trimmed/cut down, there are three main factors that affect this decision: safety factor, aesthetic quality and value. First off, a professionally-trained arborist will be able to determine the best method of removal based on the specific type you have.
For example, a pine or spruce may need a cut down because they grow fast and can easily damage your house due to high winds. A deciduous tree such as oak would not require complete cutting down unless it is very large in size. This is because deciduous trees drop their leaves in winter, making it easier to trim them without causing too much damage to your lawn or the bark of the tree itself.
Lastly, evergreen trees are good candidates for a cut down because they grow very slowly and only require minor pruning throughout spring/summer. The reason why evergreens do not require heavy pruning is that they will grow back very quickly and can be trimmed multiple times without any negative effects.
2. How many hours will it take to complete the job?
The amount of time needed for your tree removal project should also be taken into consideration when deciding whether to cut down or trimming. Trimming a tree with power tools is much faster than cutting down a large evergreen, which can take anywhere from one to five days.
For small or medium-sized ones that are only partially dead/dying, it will cost more if you choose to hire an arborist for maintenance rather than simply removing the entire thing with a chainsaw. This is because the arborist will have to saw off each branch, which takes time.
Disposal costs are also important considerations for this decision, as it can be expensive to take care of all waste materials from a cut down job. Removing small branches and leaves usually doesn’t cost much in terms of disposal fees since they’ll likely decompose and turn into fertilizer for your lawn.
For larger trees that require a complete cut-down, you will likely need to pay more in terms of disposal fees due to the size and weight of each section after it has been removed from its trunk.
3. What is the amount needed for disposal?
Disposing of all waste materials can add up quickly, especially if you have a large tree or more than one that needs to be cut down. For small branches and leaves, the service of mulching these items may cost $50-$100 depending on your location in terms of population density.
For larger trees with bigger trunks, disposal fees will likely increase due to the size and weight of each section. The cost for this service will vary depending on the size and weight, but it is typically in between $100-$300 per tree.
Lastly, if you need to dispose of any stumps left behind by the arborist after he/she cuts down your trees, these costs can be up to $50 per stump.
4. How much space is needed for the disposal of the tree’s remains after it has been cut down?
The final factor that needs to be considered when deciding whether or not to hire an arborist in order to trim/cut your trees, is how much space you have available on your property for all waste materials left behind by the arborist. For example, if you only have a small area for the disposal of branches and leaves, it may not be worth it to pay an arborist since they will likely charge you more in terms of fees due to the size and weight of each section after removal from its trunk.
5. How much time is needed for this process?
Depending on the type of tree you have, how much space is available for waste materials disposal, and how many trees need to be cut down/trimmed, hiring an arborist can take anywhere from one-half day up to five days. This time should also include all additional fees associated with your job such as transportation costs (if the arborist needs to drive anywhere) and disposal fees (if you need the remains disposed of).
6. What materials and tools will be needed for this job?
In order to cut down or trim your trees, there are a few basic tools that an arborist may use. For example saws, ropes/vines, chainsaws, ladders, etc. These tools are usually included in the arborist’s usual fee for their service; however, if you need any additional materials used during your job (such as wood boards to create a fence around newly cut down trees), these costs will vary depending on what type of material it is and how much time needs to be spent on the job.
