As Cher might sing: “If I could turn back time… I’d plant this pretty oak tree not on top of the house.”
The tree probably started out small, but over the years it grew into a real hazard. When the home inspector checked the roots and their proximity to the foundation, the verdict was clear: the tree had to go. It wasn’t surprising—about half of the canopy hung precariously over the roof, so even a single falling branch in a storm could have seriously damaged our new roof.
We’ve seen some severe storms in recent years, including trees collapsing onto houses during events like Hurricane Irene in 2011, so we didn’t want to take a chance. If the entire tree had come down, the damage could have been catastrophic.
With advice from an arborist friend and the inspector’s notes, we inspected the property more closely. That process revealed several other trees that were risky: three out front and another near the deck. Some were too close to the house, some were large and unstable, and a few had rot, cavities, or hollow trunks—conditions that make trees far more likely to fail during high winds.
We hired the same crew we used back in 2007 at our first house. They go by Shady Tree Service and are led by William, who’s become a trusted tree professional over the years. His team is experienced in tricky removals and knows how to manage the risks of working so close to a house.
Watching the crew work is kind of mesmerizing. There’s a real mix of skill, math, and technique involved—angles, momentum, and careful cuts to control how branches swing and where they land so they don’t hit the roof or siding. It’s impressive to see someone up in a bucket, swinging a chainsaw and coordinating the fall of enormous limbs.
William managed the lower portion of the deck tree from the bucket, carefully lowering cut pieces. From the guest room window you could see just how close the tree had been to the house, and how precise the work needed to be.
Some trees were shockingly hollow. One trunk had such a large cavity I joked that a couple of kids and a dog could have fit inside. Hollow trees are especially dangerous because they can fail without warning.
Here’s the backyard after removing those two risky trees: still leafy, but a lot less “tree-on-house” anxiety. The front yard changed even more dramatically once we removed the three trees that were too close to the house. We had hoped to keep at least one, but removing them improved safety, brought more light into the house, and should make it easier to grow grass in our patchy yard. Fewer overhanging branches will also help keep the roof and siding drier, slowing rot and extending the life of materials.
After the work, our yard felt quieter and safer. It wasn’t cheap—removal of five trees cost several thousand dollars—but it bought us peace of mind. Tree removal prices vary by size, accessibility (crane or specialized equipment), and region. For a medium oak close to a house in our area, a typical single-tree cost might range from $1,000 to $2,000. If you remove multiple trees at once, additional trees are often cheaper per tree because the crew and equipment are already on site—for example, one $1,000 quote for a single tree can sometimes be negotiated down to $3,000 total for five trees depending on their size and difficulty.
Some tips we’ve learned for negotiating and hiring arborists:
- Get several estimates unless you already have a trusted tree service.
- Confirm the company is licensed and insured—this work is dangerous and coverage matters.
- Remind the crew if you’re a repeat customer; many companies offer loyalty discounts.
- Keep competitor coupons handy—some companies will honor another’s coupon to win the job.
- When negotiating, smile and ask “Is that your best price?” then listen—often you’ll get a discount, free stump grinding, or another perk.
This project was a favorite for our daughter, Clara. She loved watching the wood chipper, the climbers in the trees, and standing on the remaining stumps. We considered keeping part of the deck tree as a table base, but the stump’s location made it impractical. Instead, we asked the crew to cut several thick slices to use as stepping stones. They looked deceptively light, but each round was heavy and needed the tractor to position.
As an epilogue: we’ve also discovered some local wildlife neighbors. While photographing the cleared yard, John noticed a deer quietly standing behind me—proof that even with fewer trees, we still live in a very leafy neighborhood. The deer bolted when our dog barked, but it was a sweet reminder of the forested surroundings we still have.
Anyone else having trees trimmed or removed? There’s something oddly addictive about watching skilled arborists at work—the rigging, the pulley systems, and carefully controlled swings are surprisingly compelling. If you’re concerned about storm damage, roof protection, or yard safety, regular tree assessments and professional trimming or removal can be well worth the investment.