Frequently Asked Questions

It depends mostly on the tree's height, how close it is to buildings or wires, and access. Homeyou's 2026 Utica figures put a medium tree removal at about $537 to $728 and pruning at about $375 to $525, with large trees over 60 feet around $1,000 or more. National guides from Angi and HomeGuide put most removals between about $200 and $2,000. We give a written price after seeing the tree.

Not if it is a city tree. The City of Utica says trees it owns may not be trimmed by anyone other than city staff unless a permit is obtained first, through the Parks Department's Tree Maintenance Division. If you are not sure whether a street tree is yours, ask the city before anyone cuts it; we will tell you if it looks like a city tree when we visit.

Not always. New York State DEC says an infested tree does not have to be removed unless it could fall and cause harm, such as onto a house or road, and that insecticide treatment is an option. Once infested, most ash trees die within two to four years, and dead ash becomes brittle. If an ash stands near your house, driveway or the street, it is worth deciding early.

For many deciduous trees, late winter while they are dormant works well: the branch structure is easy to see and wounds have the spring to start closing. Utica's own guidance suggests pruning trees that bloom before the end of May right after they flower, and removing dead or diseased wood as soon as you find it. Storm-damaged limbs should not wait for a season.

Yes. We can leave the wood in rounds or cut to length, or haul it away. New York limits moving firewood of any species to within 50 miles of where it came from, which matters for ash wood in particular, so keep it local.

Ask for a written quote that lists each tree, the cleanup and whether the stump is included. Ask for a current certificate of liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage sent straight from the insurer. If the job involves diagnosing disease or judging whether a tree is safe, ask whether an ISA Certified Arborist will look at it; you can verify that credential on the International Society of Arboriculture's website.

The utility. Do not go near the tree or the wire, and call the power company. Utility crews may also trim trees that interfere with electric lines. Once the line is clear or de-energized, we can remove the rest of the tree and clean up.

Homeyou's 2026 Utica figures put a medium tree at about $537 to $728 and a large tree over 60 feet at about $1,000. National guides run from about $150 for a small tree to $2,000 or more for a large one. Access and what is under the tree change the price most. We give a written price after seeing it.

For a tree on your own property, the city's tree FAQ does not describe a removal permit. For a city tree, such as many street trees, the city says no one other than city staff may trim it without a permit. Check with the Parks Department before any work on a tree that may be city-owned.

Often, yes. Dead wood can break unpredictably, so climbing and rigging take longer and sometimes require a lift instead of a climber. Angi notes that poor tree health can add up to about 15% to the cost. Removing a dying tree before it is fully dead is usually easier.

Yes, by lowering limbs on ropes so nothing lands where it should not. We may need to step onto the neighbor's side to do it, so it helps to let them know beforehand. Utica's tree FAQ notes that anyone who damages a tree without the owner's permission is responsible for the harm, so be sure the tree is yours before it comes down.

Only if you want it. Stump grinding is a separate line on the quote so you can decide. Many people grind the stump the same day; others leave it for later.

Homeyou's 2026 Utica figures put pruning at about $375 to $525 per job, around $450 on average. HomeGuide's national figures run $250 to $700 for trees up to 30 feet and $1,000 or more for trees over 60 feet. We give a written price after seeing the tree.

For many deciduous trees, yes. Late winter dormancy is a good time to see the structure and make cuts that start closing in spring. Avoid working in deep cold right after an ice storm, when wood is brittle and climbing is less safe.

There is no single number that fits every tree. Taking off too much live wood at once stresses a tree and triggers fast, weakly attached sprouts, so a good pruning job removes only what the goal requires, and older trees get a lighter touch. We tell you on the quote how much we plan to take out and why.

Generally you can cut back branches over your side, but not in a way that harms the tree. Utica's tree FAQ notes that anyone who damages a tree without the owner's permission is responsible for the harm. Talk with your neighbor first.

No. Topping leaves large wounds that decay and sprouts many weakly attached shoots that break easily under snow. Crown reduction, cutting limbs back to a side branch, lowers the height without those problems.

Get everyone out of the rooms under it, stay clear of any wires, and call the utility if lines are involved. Take photos for your insurer if it is safe, then call us at [PHONE] to get the weight off the roof. Do not climb on the roof or try to cut the tree yourself.

It depends on your policy and on what the tree hit, so call your insurer and read your policy before assuming either way. We can give you a written, itemized invoice for your claim.

Not while the line is live. Call the utility; they will clear or de-energize the line. Once they have, we remove the tree and clean up.

It often happens at night or in bad weather, the tree is under tension or resting on something, and extra equipment such as a crane may be needed. HomeGuide notes urgent removals often cost two to three times the normal rate. We still give a written price before the full job.

HomeGuide's national figures run about $120 to $400 for the first stump and $30 to $60 for each additional one, or roughly $2 to $6 per inch of diameter. Large or hard stumps, tight gates and deeper grinding cost more. We give a written price after measuring.

Not quite. Grinding chips the stump down below ground and leaves the deeper roots to rot in place. Full removal digs the stump and root ball out, which leaves a big hole and disturbs much more of the yard. For most lawns, grinding is enough.

Usually it is better to plant a few feet to one side, since the old roots and chips take time to break down. If you want to plant in the same spot, we can grind deeper and you should replace chips with soil.

Some species send up sprouts from remaining roots for a while. Cutting or mowing the sprouts as they appear usually ends it within a season or two.

Warning signs include mushrooms or conks at the base, cavities, deep cracks, a split fork, a dead top, a new lean with soil lifting on one side, and branches with no leaves in summer. Any of those near a house, driveway or the street is worth having looked at.

Sometimes. A tree can stand with some internal decay if enough sound wood remains around it. How much is enough depends on the tree, its size and what it would hit. If it is close, we will suggest a closer look by an ISA Certified Arborist.

It depends on the tree's condition and where it stands. New York State DEC lists insecticide treatment as an option and says removal is only needed when an infested tree could fall and cause harm. A healthy, valuable ash may be worth treating; one already in heavy decline near the house usually is not.

A tree care professional who has met the International Society of Arboriculture's experience and exam requirements and keeps up continuing education. You can verify the credential on ISA's website. It is worth asking about when a job involves diagnosing disease or judging a tree's safety.

Angi's 2026 figures run about $500 to $2,000 per acre for lightly wooded land and $3,600 to $5,600 for densely wooded land; HomeGuide gives $1,200 to $8,000 per acre. Stumps, slope and wet ground add to it. We give a written price after walking the lot.

It depends on the town, the size of the area and what you are building. Clearing for construction often ties into site plan or building permits, and work near wetlands or streams can involve state rules. Check with your town's code office first.

Your choice: firewood cut and stacked, logs left long, chips spread as mulch, or everything hauled away. Wood stays local, since New York limits moving firewood to within 50 miles of its source.

Yes. Selective clearing removes brush, saplings and dead trees while keeping the trees you mark. It is a common way to open up a wooded lot without losing its shade.