Pine Tree Removal In Rochester

Cut down a pine tree? No matter its size, that’s an intimidating task. You might be unpleasantly surprised to find out the extent of resources and cost needed when you have large or mature pines on your property that need to come down. Be aware that every tree removal is not created equal; some take more time, money and manpower than others.
Removing a pine tree is an undertaking that goes beyond the effort and difficulty of taking out deciduous or non-coniferous evergreen trees. This isn’t to dissuade anyone from planting pines, but rather to emphasize the need for comprehension on what sets them apart in regards to removal as well as how proper maintenance can help ward off any requirement for their elimination.

In this article, we’ll explore:

If you live in Rochester, chances are that you’re familiar with the various pine tree species there. While pine trees offer a variety of benefits to your landscape and home, they can also come with some drawbacks if they become too large or hazardous. To help ensure safe and efficient removal of any unwanted pines from your property, this article will discuss different types found in Rochester including their size, advantages and disadvantages as well as outlining what the labor-intensive process entails for homeowners who choose to enlist professionals for assistance.

Pine Trees In Rochester

The three most common pine trees in Rochester are:

The Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus L.) is the tallest native conifer in the Northeast, and can grow up to an impressive 100 feet tall – even reaching heights of 150 feet under favorable growing conditions. The tree trunk typically measures 2-4 feet in diameter.

The Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida), a moderately-sized tree, is known to grow up to 50-80 feet tall with a trunk that typically measures between 1 and 2 feet in diameter.

The Red Pine, also known as Norway Pine, stands tall with an impressive crown that can reach up to 200 feet in height. On average however, these trees measure between 75 and 80 feet high with a trunk diameter of 2 to 3 feet.

Our native pine trees are MASSIVE specimens, growing quickly to dizzying heights that far exceed what homeowners can safely prune.

The Benefits Of Pine Trees

Let’s take a moment to recognize the magnificence of pines!
The Rochester winters can be brutal, with relentless snow and ice storms. That’s why evergreens such as pines (Pinus species) are invaluable; not only do these trees provide protection from the cold weather but also add beauty to your landscape.

Dark green pine needles intercept frigid winds and keep snow on their boughs, making them an efficient winter windbreak. Throughout the months when color is scarce in our gardens and landscapes, pines bring a much-needed perennial green to the area. Not only that but also provide shelter for wildlife during chilly weather conditions.

Before you make the drastic decision to cut down your beautiful pine tree, consider if expert pruning could be a more suitable solution for any problems.

Why Should You Remove Pine Trees

Pruning isn’t a cure-all for every issue related to pine trees. If you’re considering cutting down your own pine tree, keep in mind that some of the more common reasons include:
The roots of the plant have breached the surface, creating an unsightly and dangerous tripping hazard

Gargantuan pine trees are not uncommon, some reaching heights as tall as 150 feet.
The shadows cast by pine trees can be quite dark and pervasive, as their dense canopy often blocks out any sunlight.

Beneath the dense pine canopy, nothing flourishes – Not only does it prevent sunlight from entering the area, but also restricts rainfall. As a result, an arid and shadowy environment is formed which exhibits stunted growth in vegetation. Contradicting popular belief that pines needles acidify soil; they are actually safe to use as a mulch!

Those pesky branches keep obscuring your vision – Pines can reach up to 20-40 feet wide, and unlike other trees, the lower half of their trunk is completely covered in foliage. Additionally, don’t be surprised if you see dripping sap (resin or pitch) from above onto surfaces below – this gooey residue sticks like glue and won’t come off easily! This sticky substance could cause permanent stains on furniture or clothing that it touches.

The pine tree’s brittle wood makes it vulnerable to storm damage and lightning strikes, for its tall stature and wet needles act as perfect conductors of electricity. Many broken branches are the tell-tale sign that a lighting strike has occurred, leaving long lasting destruction.

The presence of pine pollen is a nuisance to many – Pine trees are notorious for producing abundant amounts of pollen, which easily accumulates on walkways, cars, homes and other surfaces with its striking yellow hue.

If a tree has decayed or been damaged to the point of becoming hazardous, it must be taken down immediately. That being said, not all dead trees are necessarily required to be removed.
Although pines make a beautiful addition to any landscape, they need plenty of space in order to avoid the problems that can arise from overcrowding. Plant them judiciously and you will have years of enjoyment.

Pine Tree Removal

Before you jump into a pine tree removal job, we strongly suggest that you take the time to adequately prepare the area accordingly – whether it’s something you plan on taking care of yourself or if professional assistance is being brought in.

When a pine is ready to be cut down, crews must first remove all the branches where they connect with its trunk – no easy feat! Afterwards, the tree’s main stem is sawed into sections. Depending on how tall and where it stands, a crane may be necessary for clearing away both its branches and trunk pieces.

After branches, needles and pieces of the tree trunk are machine chipped into wood chips, larger logs may then be hauled away in a log truck. Additionally, if preferred, any remaining stumps can also be eliminated with a stump grinder.

You Shouldn’t Try Removing a Pine Tree By Yourself

Although many of the methods discussed are general tree removal procedures, removing a pine tree presents unique challenges that make it more difficult than cutting down other trees.

Pine Tree Branch Structure

Pine trees stand out from other types of tree species, such as hardwoods. They have an established central leader at a young age and form orderly arrays of horizontal branches. Each layer wraps around the trunk like a ring, forming neat circles around its circumference.

This kind of growth pattern is known as “whorled” and is one way to differentiate conifers. Not only pines, but other whorl-growth species such as:

• Fir (Abies)
• Spruce (Picea)
• Cedar (Cedrus).

Although this branch structure is not detrimental, it does make scaling a pine tree much more arduous. Usually, the climber must maneuver through an intricate network of limbs and cut out far more branches than with other types of trees.

Pine Sap

Clearing pine trees and branches results in the unavoidable presence of sap. Whether you call it resin, gum or sap, this sticky substance is incredibly resilient and difficult to remove. While the flow rate of pine sap will vary depending on the season, any wound inflicted on a tree – including pruning cuts- can cause an increase in its production. During periods when trees are actively growing, expect copious amounts of fast running sap; during other times expect thicker slower flows.

That pesky pine sap clings to saws, pruners and chainsaws – gumming up the cutting blades that make them practically useless. Cleaning or replacing these tools can be a costly expenditure in time and money; not to mention slowing down the tree removal process significantly. Additionally, its stickiness leads it to attract sawdust and other debris which can easily transfer itself onto various surfaces making clean-up quite challenging. These surfaces may include:

• Hardscapes, such as striking concrete and rustic wood
• Harnesses, ropes, and rigging connectors
• Boots and clothing
• Protective gear, such as eye protection, gloves, vests and hardhats is essential for safe work practices.

Powerful chippers and shredders can easily tear through pine branches, yet they must be regularly cleaned of sap to remain functional. Unfortunately, smaller versions may become clogged with too much sap and stop working altogether.

Whenever you spot a pine tree being removed by a professional tree service company, you can be sure that it will come along with an abundance of sticky sap stuck on clothing and skin!

Note: Pine sap does not pose any harm to you, however it can be quite sticky and hard to remove. In order to successfully clear the residue from your skin or other materials, try using rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover or vegetable oil – depending on what type of surface you are working with.

Moving Heavy Branches

If you want to avoid excessive sap when taking down a pine tree, the best way is to limit thinning cuts and sever branches in one piece. This facilitates the process of removing limbs from the trunk; however, once those large branches hit the ground, you will see how heavy they are due to their weighty moisture-filled needles. To transport them away from your property, either drag them (probably by hand) or chop into smaller portions and toss them onto a truck bed or feeder for chipping.

Soft, Brittle Wood

When a crane is not available to take down a pine tree, professional climbers will instead use their own two feet with the help of specialized climbing spikes. These metal tools are secured onto boots and make it significantly easier for tree-cutters to scale up the softwood firs that require removal. Although helpful in providing sure footing on the trunk’s exterior, these same spikes have an unfortunate downside – they can cause irreparable damage by tearing into or slipping off of its bark.

Climbing trees that are made of brittle wood can be treacherous because the branches tend to break when a climber’s weight is placed on them. Furthermore, cutting these pine branches puts individuals at risk of being struck by one since they snap or tear off with ease.

Generally speaking, the process of climbing pine trees during a removal job is both hazardous and challenging.

Let Us Help

For those of you considering removing your pine tree, please contact a reliable tree removal company. Attempting to tackle this job yourself is not recommended! The Tree Service Rochester NY team has extensive experience in quickly and safely taking down pines – no matter their size or condition. And even though we might be covered in sap afterwards, our work will always be done with enthusiasm and professionalism!