Page 30 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • May 7, 2014 What to expect when it’s time to remove a tree Trees serve many purposes in a landscape, such as providing shade and habitat for birds and other animals and serving as natural blinds between two homes. Trees are beautiful elements of a natural landscape, adding aesthetic appeal to a property or even an entire commu- nity. But there are times when a tree must be removed, an action that, in many instances, requires the services of a professional tree service. A tree with roots invading the foundation of a home or infringing on a patio or walkway can become a safety hazard. Other trees may cast shade where a pool is planned or cause disagreements between neighbors when the tree straddles a property line. In these instances, a reputable service can provide needed advice. Homeowners will need to do a bit of planning and research to remove trees safely and securely. It is best to contact a variety of different tree removal services and compare their offerings and prices. The cost of a tree removal will vary depending on various factors, including the height of the tree, its width, the number of branches it has, its location on a property, and the proximity of that location to potential hazards like power lines. Tree removal may range from a few hundred dol- lars to several thousand. When a tree is being removed, most of the branches will be removed to make the tree more manageable. Trees are rarely chopped at the base and allowed to fall, as there simply is not enough room to safely take this approach. Sections of the tree will be cut, roped off, and slowly lowered. A climber will scale the tree or use a cherry picker to reach the top of the tree to facilitate the process. The pieces of the tree will be loaded into a wood-chip- per for grinding before they are hauled away. Larger, heavier portions of the stumps may need to be moved later on with machinery. Hauling trees off the property may cost extra, so it is important that homeowners read the contract thoroughly before signing on the dotted line. Additional costs may be factored into the bill. These can include stump and root grinding. Trees will be cut down to the stump. To prevent eyesores or tripping haz- ards, some homeowners opt to have the stumps ground down into sawdust. This will not remove all of the roots, but will take care of most of the above-ground portion of the remaining stump. It is usually up to the homeowner to discard the sawdust or use it as a mulching material. Expect the ground around the former tree to be soft, and there may be a depression depending on how much stump grinding took place. Some people prefer to wait a season for the ground to recover before planting some- thing new. It may take a while for grass to sprout where a tree was once located, and there may be bare spots when grass starts to grow. Tree removal can be an expensive venture but can become necessary for different reasons. Be sure that tree-removal services are fully insured before signing a contract.