How do you remove a REALLY big tree in your yard?

[spikespiegal]

I'm getting lots of advice on this one from co-workers and other people. Basically I have a *huge* oak tree straddling my property line with my neighbor that has to be removed. It's alive, but showing it's age, and do to some underground erosion is starting to lean. Base of the trunk it at least 5' in diameter, and some the main branches are as big as full grown oaks I see around town. It's a monster that will do serious damage to next door property - ironically little to my own because of the lean.

I've heard things like

- Get about half a dozen estimates from tree removal services, and get the cheapest one, as long as they can provide proof of their insurance.

- Wait till the damn thing falls while neighbors live in fear, and let insurance cover it.

- Ask my insurance company to remove it as a preventitive, because it will be cheaper.

- Advertise locally, and you'll likely find somebody willing to take the sucker down for you just for the wood.

So, if a tree that's on your property falls and annihilates half of the neighbor's house, who's insurance takes care of it and what are the legal ramifications?

 

[laurenlex]

If it's threatening power, phone, or cable lines, maybe the utility companies will pay to remove it. Couldn't hurt to check.

 

[MX2]

With a professional

 

[z0mb13]

wait until the tree falls on ur neighbor's house

when that happens dont forget to take pics and update this thread

hilarity ensues

 

[nakedfrog]

The neighbor's insurance might be willing to take care of it.

 

[Heisenberg]

Well I'm no expert, but it seems that just waiting until it falls and lands in your neighbor's living room is not the best idea.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: MX2times
With a professional

Wouldn't a saw of some sort work better?

 

[Kyanzes]

With a REALLY big tool?

 

[elektrolokomotive]

Plastique!!

 

[Ausm]

Properly placed explosion.


Ausm

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

I'll rent you a beaver...

 

[Demon-Xanth]

If it's straddling the line, talk to your neighbors about splitting the cost.

 

[Skiddex]

hire a family of beavers!

 

[spikespiegal]

I love the advice for explosives, but if I wanted to be creative about taking it down myself I'd hire a couple of unemployed beavers and pump em' full of Starbuck's finest for a couple of hours.

Seriously though, the tree is leaning in a direction to demolish half of the neighbors house, and likely injure anybody upstairs. Hence, he wants it gone.

 

[Armitage]

With a tree that large, and apparently leaning towards the neighbors house already, I would not go with your last option (advertise locally and find someone who will remove it just for the wood).

They almost certainly won't have insurance for that, and likely won't have the equipment or experience in taking down a tree that large.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

One piece at a time. Get up in that bad boy with a harness and a chainsaw and start taking the small limbs first, then plan out the larger limbs and use guide lines and a couple of buddies on the ground. Getting the trunk will probably require some heavy lines and a truck, and a BIG saw, but you can rent that

 

[Specop 007]

How would I do it?

555-1212

 

[AbsolutDealage]

Yea, I would definately market the "preventative" idea to your neighbor's insurance (first), your insurance (second), and the power company (last). You should be able to save quite a lot by doing that.

If nobody bites on those, then split the cost with the neighbor.

 

[mugs]

A tree of that size that's near a house is not going to be cheap to remove. I'd think twice about having someone remove it for just the wood unless they're insured.

 

[lozina]

tie one end of a rope around the base of a tree then tie the other end to your car's frame. now put the pedal to the metal - wahoo!

 

[mugs]

You say it's straddling the property line, but the way you're talking it sounds like it's entirely on your side. Is it on your side?

 

[AbsolutDealage]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
One piece at a time. Get up in that bad boy with a harness and a chainsaw and start taking the small limbs first, then plan out the larger limbs and use guide lines and a couple of buddies on the ground. Getting the trunk will probably require some heavy lines and a truck, and a BIG saw, but you can rent that

That's the general plan that the professionals follow as well. When I was still living with my parents, their new neighbors took down a huge tree in their backyard. It was in a tight spot, and it was really cool to see this huge tree come down peice by peice all within about a 10 foot square.

 

[Bryophyte]

Check with your city/county and see if permits are required, then get a professional to do it (make sure they're licensed/bonded/insured/whatever is necessary) and split the costs with your neighbor. Chances are, it'll cost at least a few hundred dollars. It wouldn't hurt to call insurance and see if your deductible is low enough for it to be in your interest to have them cover it.

It's entirely possible that it's not legal for you to just go out there and hack it up yourself.

 

[spikespiegal]

Is it on your side?

I haven't done a property survey, but I would *guesstimate* 2/3 of it is on my side. I've *heard* this makes it mine to deal with given it's a majority rule, but if legally this makes it 1/3 the responsibility of the neighbor, then he can pay up as well.

Chances are, it'll cost at least a few hundred dollars

In where, a remote village in China?

I figure it will cost *at least* several grand to remove. A C-note won't cover the gas to run the chain saws.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: spikespiegal
I haven't done a property survey, but I would *guesstimate* 2/3 of it is on my side. I've *heard* this makes it mine to deal with given it's a majority rule, but if legally this makes it 1/3 the responsibility of the neighbor, then he can pay up as well.

So what you are saying is that you need to slowly wear away the trunk on your side and help build up the trunk on his side. Eventually, it'll be more than 50% on his side and it'll be leaning towards his house. You'll be in the clear then.

Originally posted by: spikespiegal
I figure it will cost *at least* several grand to remove. A C-note won't cover the gas to run the chain saws.

That is what I would guess too. Especially if it is likely to fall on a house.