If you’re not familiar with tree care, you may think that anyone with a chainsaw and a ladder can remove trees for you. But, that could not be further from the truth. It makes a big difference to hire a reputable tree service provider like Gaston’s Tree Service that invests in the latest equipment and technology to preserve the health of your trees and the integrity of your property. This includes tree cranes that help us remove your dead and dying trees safely and effectively.
At Gaston’s Tree Service, we have cared for our area’s trees for 50 years. Read on to learn more about how to hire a reputable tree service company in Gainesville, FL.
How Do You Know a Tree Service Company Is Reputable?
- They Are Qualified
Ensure the tree service company you choose is qualified to perform any service your trees need. At Gaston’s Tree Service, we have certified arborists who have received extensive training and have undergone safety programs through the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA).
Certified arborists have been certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). They have successfully completed a comprehensive exam covering tree care and continuing education that helps them stay updated on the best techniques available.
- They Have Experience
Improper tree care can leave you dealing with consequences for years to come. That is why it is important to choose a tree service company with the relevant experience to care for your yard knowledgeably to avoid lasting damage.
- They Pass Review Checks
While you can’t blindly trust online reviews, they do provide a good starting point with gauging how happy previous customers have been with the tree service company you’re considering hiring. If the company you’re investigating has more negative reviews than positive ones, it’s a big red flag that you should look at taking your business elsewhere.
- They Provide Estimates
A quality tree service company will provide you with detailed estimates of the work your trees need and any associated costs. At Gaston’s Tree Service, we provide free quotes to make it even easier for you to financially plan for the work your landscape needs.
- They Offer a Variety of Services, Including Removal
A tree service company should offer tree removal services for decaying trees in your yard. Not only are they an eyesore, but they can zap nutrition from other nearby trees and pose a falling risk for anyone on your property, people, pets, and objects included.
Tree removal is a dangerous task. It should only be done by a professional to remove the tree safely and in a way that leaves the rest of your healthy trees intact.
It is also helpful to verify that they your tree service company knows what to do with the stump that’s left behind after a tree is removed. You also want to know that they know how to care for the remaining trees on your property through expert trimming, emergency services, and tree debris and stump removal.
- They Use Safe and Efficient Equipment
It is important to know the company you hire is well equipped to service your trees safely and efficiently. This is perhaps the most important quality you can look for in a tree service provider. Because large trees, when removed improperly, can pose a serious threat to you and your property’s safety, knowing your team is well equipped to handle any size job is top priority.
Additionally, hiring a team that works efficiently can save you time and money. No one likes waiting around for a service provider — efficient equipment makes the necessary work of high quality tree service take just the right amount of time.
What Is a Tree Removal Crane?
A tree crane is a special piece of equipment used for tree work. Unlike a construction crane, a tree crane is mounted on the back of a truck, where a trained crane operator sits in a cab and uses the crane’s arm, called a boom, or arm, to reach the tree’s highest parts. These cranes allow tree service workers to access trees when builders are close together, a gate or wall is blocking the tree, or the tree is difficult or impossible to reach due to other factors.
Cranes help tree service providers to
- Access taller trees and difficult-to-access areas.
- More safely extend to the tree’s tallest parts.
- Decrease the time it takes to remove the tree.
For these reasons, knowing your tree service company uses tree cranes to remove trees is a considerable pro when assessing your options.
Gaston’s Tree Service uses bucket trucks with an 85’ working height, but for more extreme heights or heavier weight loads, we use our cranes to view and access the tallest trees in Gainesville and the surrounding communities.
How Is a Tree Crane Used?
You may think a tree is removed by making cuts at the base and letting the tree just fall over. However, this method would be ineffective and dangerous on properties where a falling tree could damage building structures or people.
- Setting Up and Stabilizing the Crane: When we come to your residential or commercial property, we park and level the tree crane using outriggers placed against blocks to support the crane’s weight while the boom section is in use. Stabilizing the tree crane is dependent on the ground’s slope, the compaction of the ground surrounding the crane, and how big the tree is to be removed.
- Removing the Tree: Once a strategic tree removal plan is in place, the crane operator and the rest of the tree service team can begin working. The designated tree climber is lifted into the tree to attach themselves and the crane to the tree using steel cables or nylon straps. The tree climber cuts away the tree in a top-down, section by section method, which the crane lifts and moves down to the ground crew.
- Making Mulch: The ground crew helps lower the cut tree sections to the ground, removing the cables the tree climber put on it. They then run the cut tree through a chipper to create top-quality mulch. This process can be repeated until the whole tree is removed.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Crane?
Safety: In some situations, a trained tree climber, can scale the tree to then cut off tree sections and allow them to fall or be led to the ground through ropes. However, if trees are damaged from pests, diseases, or storms, they are essentially rotting from the inside out and are unsafe for a tree climber to ascend on.
Using a tree crane allows unwanted trees to be removed where other methods may be impossible. Because of the inherent danger involved, you should rely only on experienced tree service professionals who understand how to safely operate the tree crane.
Efficiency: Constant communication between the crane operator and the tree climber, as well as every tree service provider understanding their role, allows the tree removal to go as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Gaston’s Is Your Equipped and Trusted Tree Service Company
When you need a tree service company in Gainesville, rely on the expert team at Gaston’s Tree Service. We provide expert services and equipment (including tree cranes) that keep all of your trees healthy and your home safe. Contact us today to schedule an appointment so we can inspect, diagnose, treat, or remove your trees using our high quality equipment to bring the beauty back to your yard.