Dealing with tree removal around already established pond

[Mmathis]

We have some oak trees near the pond, and when we were digging the pond we did disturb & cut quite a few roots. But for the first 2 years, there were no apparent signs of damage to the trees. This spring, however, one of the trees has apparently died.

Our next step is to have a service come out and cut down/remove the dead tree. What I'm concerned about is that the

1. tree is smack in the middle of the turtle habitat and maybe 4-6 feet away from the small bog I've built in the habitat.
2. and because of the lay of the yard, it's going to be difficult to get to the tree with the pond there (as well as the habitat). Fence and neighbor's driveway is on the other side.
3. I'm worried that the tree-people will damage something in these little ecosystems....... [not concerned about the turtles, though, because they will all be removed and secured before any work is done]
4. Also, the pond is drained & naked right now due to some rehab work, which I'm hoping is a GOOD thing [?] since it seems like it would mean less potential damage to the pond, but could it actually be better to do this work after the pond is re-lined & re-filled???

A friend had some tree work done and said the service they used was VERY sensitive to the layout of their yard and did an excellent job of extracting the trees [we're going to call them first for an estimate....]

I'm just worried.....!!!! What kind of experiences have you guys had having trees removed? Were they sensitive to your needs and able to work around yard obstructions?

Here's a rough [not to scale, not in proportion....] sketch of our backyard.

[the things that look like doggie poo are the 4 trees -- and actually, I wouldn't mind if they could take out another one or 2 while they're at it -- I LOVE trees, but these 3 in the far corner don't function to shade the house -- they only OVER shade the pond and produce SOOOO MANY leaves....! And there are other shade options there for the turtles. Guessing that would cost a fortune, though...]

 

[dieselplower]

In general if you find a good licensed and insured tree company they will do a very good job. but they are expensive. Shoot, if you call a big company they could bring a truck that could attach a cable around the tree and lift it right around or over the pond after it has been cut. If you go with a small company that shows up in a pickup truck you may not be as lucky. Legitimate tree removal or tree trimming companies are very good at what they do.

 

[RobAmy]

I agree with Dieselpower, a good tree company will do a great job with the removal. Do not be afraid to tell them your expectations, that way everyone is on the same page.

 

[Mmathis]

In general if you find a good licensed and insured tree company they will do a very good job. but they are expensive. Shoot, if you call a big company they could bring a truck that could attach a cable around the tree and lift it right around or over the pond after it has been cut. If you go with a small company that shows up in a pickup truck you may not be as lucky. Legitimate tree removal or tree trimming companies are very good at what they do.

I agree with Dieselpower, a good tree company will do a great job with the removal. Do not be afraid to tell them your expectations, that way everyone is on the same page.

Thanks, guys! That makes me feel better, and yeah, I figured we'd have to pay for it! Our friend had a similar situation where the service they used had to "air lift" a tree out that was in a tight spot. They were very pleased.

 

[Dave 54]

Which way would you want the tree dropped TurtleMommy cut your wedge in the direction you want the tree to fall.
Once you have done that and your ready to drop the tree cut opposite to your wedge and the tree will topple in the direction of your first cut the wedge , however if you have never done this before then get a professional in

Dave

 

[Mmathis]

Which way would you want the tree dropped TurtleMommy cut your wedge in the direction you want the tree to fall.
Once you have done that and your ready to drop the tree cut opposite to your wedge and the tree will topple in the direction of your first cut the wedge , however if you have never done this before then get a professional in

Dave

Oh, it's going to be a professional tree service -- no way we're tackling this one ourselves as there are too many obstacals, too close together: yard fence, other trees, turtle habitat [turtle bog], the pond, the house..... I was mainly wondering if other folks had had good [or bad] experiences with tree services and if the services were sensitive to the needs of the customer as far as being careful, etc, etc.

 

[Dave 54]

I couldnt put anyome onto you Turtle Mommy just pass on my experiance of Forestry work I did after the Navy however if your not going to drop the tree yourselves then as you have said a qaulified tree surgeon will have to do it for you .
However I'm a bit worried about the shock waves this tree will make when it hits the ground and if it will freak your fish out no end dont you think ?

Dave

 

[mrsclem]

Turtle Mommy- We have hired several tree services in the past. Several years ago we had a company come out to take 4 oaks down next to our ponds. I was totally freaked out when the first tree didn't fall where it was supposed to! The rest went well. We did put a huge tarp over the ponds as there is a lot of wood chips flying everywhere and also oily smoke. Check references! We paid $1100. last year to have a tulip poplar topped last year as it was close to the house. Estimates for removal were 2000+ as there is no access for equipment. Hubbys co-worker came out and took it down by himself one branch at a time. Cost - $100. He did take the main trunk out to be cut up in his lumber yard.

 

[Mmathis]

I couldnt put anyome onto you Turtle Mommy just pass on my experiance of Forestry work I did after the Navy however if your not going to drop the tree yourselves then as you have said a qaulified tree surgeon will have to do it for you .
However I'm a bit worried about the shock waves this tree will make when it hits the ground and if it will freak your fish out no end dont you think ?

Dave

I don't think they'll fell the tree in that respect -- probably more like I've seen done where they climb up and cut it out, bit by bit, from the top down. And what they did with our friend's trees was to have a crane of some sort there to stabilize it, then do a vertical extraction so as not to contact anything else in the yard. So, hopefully, no concussive noise. But I'm glad you mentioned that, 'cause it's something I hadn't considered!

I did just think of something funny, though. We have rats in the yard (and in the attic -- grrrr!) -- maybe it will scare them away, LOL! BE GONE, varmints!

Turtle Mommy- We have hired several tree services in the past. Several years ago we had a company come out to take 4 oaks down next to our ponds. I was totally freaked out when the first tree didn't fall where it was supposed to! The rest went well. We did put a huge tarp over the ponds as there is a lot of wood chips flying everywhere and also oily smoke. Check references! We paid $1100. last year to have a tulip poplar topped last year as it was close to the house. Estimates for removal were 2000+ as there is no access for equipment. Hubbys co-worker came out and took it down by himself one branch at a time. Cost - $100. He did take the main trunk out to be cut up in his lumber yard.

Thanks for that info! We're hoping to have the tree removed while there is nothing in the pond...naked...no water, fish, or liner (Ooops! I mean the POND naked, not the people!). As well, the turtles will all be removed from their habitat (that's where the tree is), but I hadn't taken into consideration that there might be contaminants scattered about the habitat! Will have to check with the tree people about that. And yes, we will check references -- we usually do a BBB inquiry, too -- thanks for bringing that up.

 

[Dave 54]

I don't think they'll fell the tree in that respect -- probably more like I've seen done where they climb up and cut it out, bit by bit, from the top down. And what they did with our friend's trees was to have a crane of some sort there to stabilize it, then do a vertical extraction so as not to contact anything else in the yard. So, hopefully, no concussive noise. But I'm glad you mentioned that, 'cause it's something I hadn't considered!

I did just think of something funny, though. We have rats in the yard (and in the attic -- grrrr!) -- maybe it will scare them away, LOL! BE GONE, varmints!



Thanks for that info! We're hoping to have the tree removed while there is nothing in the pond...naked...no water, fish, or liner (Ooops! I mean the POND naked, not the people!). As well, the turtles will all be removed from their habitat (that's where the tree is), but I hadn't taken into consideration that there might be contaminants scattered about the habitat! Will have to check with the tree people about that. And yes, we will check references -- we usually do a BBB inquiry, too -- thanks for bringing that up.

Ouch steep prices or what TurtleMommy, I'll come over and do it and I'm cheap just my return airfare etc
Question if the pond is naked why not put your bottom drain in at the same time ?

Dave

 

[Mmathis]

Ouch steep prices or what TurtleMommy, I'll come over and do it and I'm cheap just my return airfare etc
Question if the pond is naked why not put your bottom drain in at the same time ?

Dave

BD? Well, actually, not a bad idea and it never occurred to me! BUT I'm not equipped for all the other things that go along with a BD. Not enough room..... Not enough planning..... Not enough smarts.....

 

[Dave 54]

BD? Well, actually, not a bad idea and it never occurred to me! BUT I'm not equipped for all the other things that go along with a BD. Not enough room..... Not enough planning..... Not enough smarts.....

Dont go putting yourself down like that TurtleMommy a bottom drain a numnber of 2" slide valves and a 4" plus the rest of your kit then all you need are four large barrels to convert nd the material that you'll ned in them

Dave

 

[Tula]

We've had trees in prime areas removed and it was done by crane. It was amazing! They actually lifter the tree, up over the house with the crane, laid in on the street and began cutting it up - with surgical precision.......but pricey.

We have an ash tree beside our pond that we had treated in 2013. Not sure it will make it, but if it doesn't we'll have it removed by crane.

 

[herzausstahl]

Do you have a picture of the tree in question?

 

[herzausstahl]

Oh and make sure they are insured and request proof of the insurance. But that's a good reason to go with a professional but it can be pricey. Most people don't realize how much, but in a situation like yours it will be worth it. If they don't appear sensitive to your needs, go with someone else.