Preparing for Tree Removal: The Difference for Rural and Urban Homeowners

Tree removal isn’t a one-size-fits-all job, as tree care companies have to alter their techniques and strategies depending on the location. One of the most significant factors shaping tree removal is whether you live in a crowded urban area (such as Arlington or Springfield in NOVA) or a less densely packed, rural area such as Clifton or Fairfax Station.

In this article, we will examine the difference between tree removal in urban and rural areas and the preparation you’ll need to take in both places. Though the general steps will likely look the same, some minor details you’ll need to know to prepare for tree removal will differ depending on where you live.

Key Takeaways

• Tree removal techniques differ in urban areas, where cranes are more common; trees can sometimes be felled in rural areas.
• Preparing for tree removal requires you to remove any decorations or furniture that may be in the way; we’ll need more space if we plan to fell the tree.
• Residents in urban areas may need to get permission from their neighbors for access to their yard when the tree is in a cramped area.
• We’ll need plenty of space in front of your home to park our equipment, even moreso if we plan to use a crane to remove your tree.
• Whether you live in a rural or urban area, you may need a tree removal permit.

The Difference Between Tree Removal in Urban and Rural Areas

Though the end goal is the same in tree removal, the steps and equipment requirements for removing a tree in an urban area versus a rural area differ significantly.

Removing a tree in a rural area is often easier, as it allows for more room to operate.

Rural Tree Removal

In places like Fairfax Station and Clifton, yards are generally larger and more spaced out than in dense urban areas. This extra space allows a tree care company to use techniques they can’t in a city.

For instance, if the size accommodates the process, we can fell the tree. Felling a tree is what you might picture in your head when someone says tree removal. We’ll cut the tree from the ground, safely allow it to fall, and then clean up the debris by cutting it into smaller, more workable pieces.

This method isn’t always available to us or practical in some yards. In other instances, we may use climbers to head into trees and remove a tree piecemeal.

Rural removal allows for larger drop zones and more room to operate. We also rarely have the same level of obstacles to deal with when removing a tree in Fairfax Station, as there is a lower risk of nearby power lines or a neighbor’s house that could be damaged during the removal process.

Urban tree removal can be difficult due to a tree’s close proximity to structures or utility lines, as seen here.

Urban Tree Removal

Urban tree removal presents unique challenges for tree care companies. If you live in or have spent any time in Arlington, you’ve likely noticed how cramped the residential areas can be. Removing these trees can be a difficult task.

In general, we may use climbers and bucket trucks to help with urban tree removal, though our best equipment for the job is our tree removal crane. These cranes can simplify the process of removing trees in an urban area by allowing us to lift portions of the tree over obstacles and structures safely.

It’s generally not possible to fell a tree in an urban environment unless the tree is quite small. Urban tree removal also involves more trees near structures and utility lines resulting in a more complicated and delicate removal process.

Despite the difficulties, urban tree removal is possible and happens daily. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that urban communities lose around 36 million trees every year. Of these 36 million trees, many are removed by property owners for various reasons.

Preparing for Tree Removal

When you determine it’s time to cut down a tree, we’ll take care of the hard part of removing your tree. However, there are some things you’ll need to do for us to help prepare for tree removal.

PRO TIP: Tree removal often occurs when someone plants a tree in the wrong place. Determining how much space a tree will need at full maturity is difficult. Learn more about what to consider when planting a tree with our previous article on the topic:

Tree Planting in Nothern Virginia – Factors to Consider

Remove Any Decorations or Items Near the Tree

We’ll outline how we plan to remove the tree and the general amount of space around the tree we’ll need. We ask that you remove anything around the tree or in the work area. This can include anything from:

• Lawn decorations
• Lights
• Patio furniture
• Toys and play areas
• Other plants

If you live in a rural area like Clifton and we agree to fell a tree, you’ll need to clear out everything that will be in the way of where the tree falls. If we’re using a crane for an urban resident, you may not need to clear as much space for the process.

PRO TIP: Don’t forget to remove any obstacles on our path from our vehicles to the tree. And always leave the gate unlocked so we can easily access the tree and bring in our stump grinder if you choose to have us perform that service.

We often use our crane when a tree is close to a house or your neighbor’s yard.

Inform Your Neighbors About the Tree Work

For rural residents, informing your neighbors is often just a courtesy to let them know a tree service will be in the area, and there may be noise and trucks on the road. For residents of places like Alexandria or Fairfax, informing your neighbors may be about more than just courtesy.

Trees in urban areas often may straddle property lines and overhang into your neighbor’s property. We may need to access your neighbor’s property during the removal. We ask that you obtain permission from your neighbor so that we can efficiently and safely remove the tree.

You may also need to have your neighbor sign off on the removal of a tree if it straddles the property line. In general, a tree that has its trunk on both sides of a property line is considered to be common property between the two owners, and both owners will have to agree to remove it before a reputable tree care company does so.

Remove Vehicles from the Staging Area

On the day of removal, we’ll set up a staging area where we will park our equipment, such as our crane, bucket truck, and chipper. We’ll need you to remove your vehicles from your driveway or the front of your house to give us more space to park our equipment.

Urban residents may need to ask neighbors to move their vehicles to give us more room, as things like a tree removal crane take up a lot of space, especially on narrow streets in a city.

Secure Any Necessary Permits

Depending on where you live, you may need a tree removal permit. We can assist you with determining if a permit is necessary and securing the required documentation before we remove your tree.

Absolute Tree Removes Trees From Fairfax Station to Alexandria

At Absolute Tree, we aim to be experts in removing trees, no matter the tree’s condition and the surrounding area. We can remove your tree whether you live in a large, spacious property in Fairfax Station or have a tree in tight conditions in Alexandria.

If you need a tree removed, we can help. Call us today at 703-969-6207 or request an estimate online.