Tree service questions and answers for Pennsylvania homeowners
Updated · KeystoneProGuide editorial team
Can I cut down a tree myself?
A small one you can reach from the ground, perhaps. Anything larger is a different matter. The International Society of Arboriculture says tree work should be done only by those trained and equipped to work safely in trees, and Penn State Extension's Master Gardeners offer a simple test: if you cannot reach a limb from the ground, call an arborist. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration lists falls, falling limbs and contact with power lines among the main hazards of tree work.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my own property?
It depends on your town. None of the state guidance read for these guides sets a general permit for removing a tree on private land, but a municipality can, and some do. Ask your township or borough before the work starts. What Pennsylvania and its towns require has the details and local examples.
What does it cost to take a tree down?
National surveys put a typical removal in the hundreds of dollars and the hardest jobs in the thousands. Height, access, nearby power lines and whether the tree is dead all move the price. The ranges, and what to look for in a quote, are in what tree work costs.
When is the best time to prune?
For light pruning, almost any time. The International Society of Arboriculture says removing weak, dead or diseased limbs can be done at any time of year with little effect on the tree, and that growth and wound closure are best if pruning happens before the spring flush of growth. Oaks are the main exception: Penn State's Master Gardeners say qualified arborists prune oaks only in winter, apart from emergencies, because fresh cuts in warmer months invite the beetles that spread oak wilt.
Is topping a tree a good way to make it safer?
No. The International Society of Arboriculture calls topping "perhaps the most harmful tree pruning practice known", and Penn State Extension says topping leads to decay and makes trees more susceptible to storm damage, which is the opposite of what people expect.
How often should a mature tree be pruned?
Less often than many people think. Penn State Extension says a mature tree that has been looked after should need pruning only for specific reasons, and may benefit from a yearly inspection with perhaps a five- to ten-year cycle of pruning.
A storm brought a tree down. What do I do first?
Stay away from it if any wire is involved. Penn State Extension says to avoid power lines even if the power is off and to stay clear of broken limbs hanging in trees. If a limb is on a PECO line, the utility says not to touch it and to report it at 1-800-841-4141. Then photograph the damage before anything is moved, as the Pennsylvania Insurance Department advises.
Will my insurance pay for a fallen tree?
If it hit your house or another insured structure, usually yes, for the damage and for removal up to a limit. The Insurance Information Institute puts that removal limit at about $500 to $1,000, depending on the insurer and policy, and says a tree that hit nothing is generally not covered. It also says you claim on your own policy whoever owned the tree.
Who trims the tree touching the wire to my house?
Usually you. PPL says it does not trim trees near the service line from its pole to your building, and that the area is the property owner's responsibility; it will de-energize the line so the work can be done safely. The Public Utility Commission says to stay at least 10 feet from overhead lines.
Can I cut my neighbor's branches that hang over my yard?
Pennsylvania's Superior Court has held that branches overhanging the property line are a trespass that the neighbor may trim back, without having to show any damage. The opinion quotes the common rule that you may cut back to the line, but may not cut down the tree. Talking to your neighbor first is usually the better start.
Who looks after the tree between the sidewalk and the street?
In Philadelphia, the city has jurisdiction over street trees and prunes or removes hazardous ones for free, while the property owner owns the tree. Elsewhere it is set by local ordinance. In either case, do not cut a street tree without asking.
My ash tree looks thin at the top. Is it worth saving?
Maybe. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources says emerald ash borer kills ash trees three to five years after infestation, that treatment should begin before a tree is attacked, and that only healthy ash trees of value to the owner should be considered for treatment. Others, it says, should be removed before they become a hazard.
Should I grind the stump or leave it?
Either can be fine. Iowa State University Extension says grinding is the quickest and safest way to remove a stump, while leaving one to decay is cheap but can take more than ten years.
How do I find a company I can trust?
Ask for proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance, get two or three written bids, and turn down anyone who wants full payment up front. How to choose a tree service explains each check. Businesses that serve your area are on the tree services directory page.
Sources
- Why Hire an Arborist?, International Society of Arboriculture (TreesAreGood.org)
- Pruning Trees, International Society of Arboriculture (TreesAreGood.org)
- Pruning Landscape Trees, Penn State Extension
- When to Call an Arborist, Penn State Extension (Allegheny County Master Gardeners)
- Helping Trees Recover After Storms, Penn State Extension
- Our Crews Respond Quickly to Storm Damage, PECO
- Line Clearing, PPL Electric Utilities
- Power Up Your Safety: PUC Essential Electric Tips for Pennsylvania's Warmer Months, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
- If a tree falls on your house, are you covered?, Insurance Information Institute
- Natural Disaster Insurance Guide, Pennsylvania Insurance Department
- Agrilus planipennis (Emerald Ash Borer), Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
- How to Remove Tree Stumps, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Street tree frequently asked questions, City of Philadelphia, Parks & Recreation
- Jones v. Wagner, 425 Pa. Super. 102 (1993), Superior Court of Pennsylvania (via Justia)
- Inspection Guidance for Tree Care and Tree Removal Operations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration