When a tree needs to come down
Removing a tree is a big decision. Mature trees give shade and value to a home. But some trees become a danger or a daily headache. These are the most common reasons New Lenox homeowners call us:
- The tree is dead or mostly dead, like many ash trees in the area
- There are deep cracks, splits, or rot in the trunk
- The tree leans toward the house, garage, or driveway
- Big limbs hang over the roof
- Roots are lifting the driveway, sidewalk, or foundation area
- The tree is too close to the house for its size
- You want the space for a garden, patio, or more sun
If you are not sure, we will tell you honestly. Sometimes tree trimming is enough and the tree can stay.
How we remove a tree
1. Look it over
We check the tree, the lean, the wood, and everything around it: the house, fences, wires, sheds, gardens, and the neighbor's yard. We plan where every piece is going to go before anyone starts a saw.
2. Climb and rig
When a tree cannot be dropped in one piece, our climber goes up, ties off each limb with rope, cuts it, and lowers it to the ground. This is how we work over roofs and fences without damage.
3. Bring down the trunk
Once the limbs are off, we take the trunk down in manageable sections. If there is a clear, safe drop zone, we may fell the trunk using a notch cut and a hinge that controls which way it falls.
4. Clean up
We cut up the wood, clear the brush, and rake the area. If you want to keep some wood for firewood, just tell us.
5. Grind the stump
Most people want the stump gone too. Add stump grinding and we grind it below the soil so you can plant grass or a new bed.
Why climbing matters in New Lenox yards
Many homes in town have mature trees in the backyard with only a gate for access. Big equipment cannot always get back there, and when it can, it can rut your lawn. Climbing lets us do careful work in tight spaces and keeps costs down because we are not paying for giant machines on every job.
Trees we remove most often
Ash trees
The emerald ash borer has killed a huge number of ash trees across the Chicago suburbs. Dead ash dries out and gets brittle fast, which makes it more dangerous to climb and more likely to drop limbs. The sooner a dead ash comes down, the safer and easier it is. See dead tree removal.
Callery pear (Bradford pear)
These were planted in a lot of subdivisions. Their branches grow at tight angles and tend to split in wind, ice, and heavy snow.
Silver maple and cottonwood
They grow fast and big, and they are known for dropping large limbs and clogging gutters. When they get too close to a house, removal is often the smart call.
Spruce and pine
Older spruce trees often lose their lower branches to disease and start to look bare. Many homeowners decide to replace them.
Check before you cut
Trees in the parkway, the strip between the sidewalk and the street, usually belong to the village. Some HOAs also have tree rules. If a tree is near power lines, ComEd may need to be involved. We will help you sort this out before any work starts.
What tree removal costs
Every tree is different. Size, location, access, and whether we can drop it or need to climb it all change the price. We give you a competitive, clear quote after we see it. Read our tree removal cost guide to understand how pricing works.