Before the first cut
OSHA’s quick card for tree crews starts with a hazard assessment of the work area and the tree. The crew picks a felling direction, accounts for any lean, and plans a retreat path. For you that means: cars moved, pets inside, outdoor furniture out of the way, and a clear path for equipment.
Down whole, or in pieces
| Method | When |
|---|---|
| Felling the whole tree | Open ground at least as long as the tree is tall, nothing to hit |
| Dismantling from the top | Most yards: limbs and trunk sections lowered on ropes |
| Crane | A large tree over a house, or one too weak to climb |
For a broken tree that is under pressure, the same card tells crews to work out which way the pressure runs and release it with small cuts.
The stump
Usually cut close to the ground, then ground out if that is in the quote. HomeGuide puts stump removal at $100 to $500 or more per stump. Grinding goes below the surface, and the ISA notes that locating underground utilities before digging is often required by law, so the crew should know where lines run.
Cleanup
Branches go through a chipper; the trunk becomes rounds. Decide in advance whether firewood or chips stay, and who repairs ruts in the lawn or a fence panel removed for access. What changes the price?
Checked against the sources below on 2026-10-11.
What are the warning signs a tree may fail?