What would you do with this spruce tree?


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Old 08-17-16, 03:54 PM
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What would you do with this spruce tree?

Cut it down? Trim branches? As you can see it dwarfs the house. The branches on the left side are all dead most likely due to the neighbors tree.

How much do you think it would be to cut it down?

Thanks

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Old 08-17-16, 04:03 PM
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Let George Washington park his horse there.

Beautiful tree but way to big for the location. Looks like another monster next door to that one.
At the very least the bottom needs to be cleaned out. You want to be able to see the house.
 
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Old 08-17-16, 04:04 PM
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IMO there is no question it should be cut down. Find a local town that puts up a tree for the holidays and see if you can donate it if they will come get it. Prices vary depending on location. Around here, 600.
 
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Old 08-17-16, 04:06 PM
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Awesome idea X.
There are several towns near me that do that. They cut and remove the tree for free.
 
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Old 08-17-16, 07:42 PM
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I agree, have it removed. Based upon what I have paid in the past (last was a few years ago) somewhere around $600 to $750 dollars sounds about right. Prices WILL vary depending on locale.
 
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Old 08-17-16, 09:06 PM
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Another vote to cut it down. I don't like trees near houses.
 
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Old 08-18-16, 04:25 AM
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I'm not seeing the logic of having what looks like 4 different type trees in that front yard at all.
To me it makes it look like an abandoned house that's all grown over.
 
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Old 08-18-16, 04:30 AM
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A bit of sprucing up around the sidewalk can go a long way to making the house look a bit better.
 
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Old 08-18-16, 05:00 AM
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In Philly, it would probably cost at least a couple thousand to have it cut down. It really comes down to location. You should be able to get a couple of estimates.
I would just keep the the one that's between the other tree and bush, removing them also.
 
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Old 08-18-16, 05:31 AM
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Are the utilities underground ?

I don't see the entrance.
 
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Old 08-18-16, 07:24 AM
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That's a hazard if it or even any of the big branches come down. One more vote for having it removed.
 
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Old 08-18-16, 07:29 AM
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Vermont, the front door is between the spruce and the other trees.
 
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Old 08-18-16, 08:13 AM
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Shadie, I think he meant the service entrance [where the power lines come in]
 
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Old 08-18-16, 08:15 AM
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Originally Posted by ShadieLadie
". . . Vermont, the front door is between the spruce and the other trees . . ."
I was meaning the Electrical Entrance relative to safety issues in branch removal and/or stump grinding/removal and expense with respect to the cables and/or gas lines possibly being underground and entangled in those roots.

It all factors into Co$t.
 
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Old 08-18-16, 08:50 AM
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I kind of doubt that the electrical service is underground. Most likely the service is overhead but from the back yard side.
 
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Old 08-18-16, 09:15 AM
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OIC! The electrical lines run along the back of our house.
Is it necessary to have the whole tree, roots and all removed? Most people around here have it removed to just leave some of the stump.
Any rate, an estimate from someone local is the only way to know the cost.
 
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Old 08-18-16, 11:04 AM
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I had a flowering plum tree removed from my back yard back in July of 2010. It was about thirty feet tall and several branches were overhanging my roof. The cost was $410. Then in May of 2012 I had four Lombardy Poplars also in my back yard removed. The Poplars were about 60 feet tall and the cost for that was just under $4400. The company doing the first tree was a lower-cost company and the company doing the other four was a higher cost company. Neither of them did any stump grinding.

Here is a picture of one of the Poplars coming down.

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Old 08-19-16, 03:40 AM
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Last year, I had to have a deciduous tree cropped because it was growing directly into the path of my satellite TV signal.

The local satellite TV Company recommended a Tree Trimmer/Arborist/Logger, and I simply made an appointment to have him come to do the necessary surgery.

The day of the appointment, he was kind enough to call and cancel . . . . his Wife was ill and she couldn't drive him; and he had lost his own Driver's License.

I usually ask about Workmen's Compensation and General Liability Insurance; but was sloppy in this case because of the recommendation.

When there's the possibility of substantial damage being done to your property, or to that of the Neighbors . . . . or injury to the individual Worker, make sure they are Insured. It shouldn't be necessary; but don't assume they're covered . . . . some can't even drive legally.
 
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Old 08-19-16, 04:02 AM
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Not having a driver's license doesn't necessarily mean that the contractor is uninsured or does sloppy work [still need to check references, qualifications] I used to work for a big outfit that had several good painters/foremen that lost their license due to DUIs. To keep them employed the boss hired their wives as helpers so they could get from job to job. Sometimes there is a separation between good work and poor personal decisions.
 
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Old 08-19-16, 04:40 AM
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No, but it does raise a red flag. I admire those employers who will give a person another chance. What bothers me is unless you ask, most contractors never offer to see there insurance or license. To me that perhaps should be the first thing offered during a sales call or estimate.

I remember when hiring a no name moving crew the night before. They came in the next morning totally hung over. But, they did a fantastic job and never once bumped or scratched the furniture or the house in either from or to.
 

Last edited by Norm201; 08-19-16 at 05:25 AM. Reason: fixed punctation and spelling
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Old 08-19-16, 05:18 AM
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most contractors never offer to see there insurance or license.
I never did and I don't think I've ever had a residential customer ask either. If I remember correctly it was only on some commercial jobs that I was asked to produce the documentation.
 
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Old 08-19-16, 05:24 AM
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When I had my windows installed their printed literature indicated fully insured, but the sales person voluntarily did in fact send me their current insurance info.
 
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Old 08-19-16, 08:08 AM
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We always use licensed and insured arborists. With workman's comp for their helpers. Also we check their license number with the state contractor's licensing board to see what's what. We also get 3 or more quotes for same job. You would be amazed at the price range.
 
 

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