How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?

Naturally, the costs of tree removal vary depending on how much work you need done. Some tougher hardwood species are also more expensive because they take more work to deal with properly. Although online estimates show that most Arlington homeowners in the area pay between $368 and $512 for these kinds of tree removal services, with the average cost around $440.

How Much Does Stump Grinding or Removal Cost?

You’ll note similar trends with other tree care services. Stump grinding is usually lower, with an average cost of $75 to $150 per stump, but they’ll increase for jobs that are harder to access or larger than normal. Stump removal is higher because it involves the complete uprooting of the stump, between $300 and $350.

Average Cost of Tree Maintenance in Arlington

Tree services may seem expensive at first, but that’s usually because you’ve let things get out of hand. After you’ve trimmed your trees and shrubs back a bit, tree professionals won’t charge you as much for related services. However, trimming and pruning trees yourself is generally not recommended and best left to someone knowledgeable about tree maintenance – typically an arborist or tree service professional.

Typical tree and shrub maintenance costs in Arlington average about $440, with most homeowners spending between $377 and $503. The cheapest reported costs is around $180 and going up to approximately $700. The cost will depend on a variety of factors including size of tree and how much needs to be trimmed or pruned.

Maintaining your property and keeping it in good condition, and paying a little extra every now and then for regular services like landscaping and tree trimming is a great way to save more when the time comes to remove entire trees later on.

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Basic Tree Care Rules & Regulations

Arlington works with a single utility that manages all power lines no matter who you actually pay for your power. This company often prunes or removes trees that grow near major power lines as their contract with the city gives them right of access to your property during reasonable hours.

This doesn’t mean that you should just wait around for your trees to get trimmed for free. You don’t know whether the utility company will remove them in a fashion that maintains your property’s appearance. In most cases, they’ll prune these trees as far back as possible with little regard for how it looks. Furthermore, they’ll only remove trees close to the main high voltage line, not the one that actually goes to your building. Those are your responsibility.

Picking the Right Landscape Elements

By law, you need to prevent your trees from growing within 10 feet, 4 inches of a major distribution line. If you’re replanting after a major tree removal operation, make sure to pick a species that won’t grow too high or too wide and touch elevated lines or power poles. Popular species that are easy to manage with routine pruning and that fare well in Arlington’s climate include:

• Japanese maple, Acer palmatum
• Texas mountain laurel, Calia secundiflora
• Hollies like the posumhaw and yaupon varieties
• Crape myrtles, Lagerstroemia
• Various sumac species

Larger trees, like the mesquite and Mexican plum, are also grown for shade and decoration. Remember, however, that any tree left to its own devices will grow as much as it possibly can.

Arlington has a favorable temperate climate that supports many types of tree species. You may also be able to obtain trees for free from the city’s periodic giveaways, which often offer species like buckeyes, cypress, elm, oaks and willows. Trees offered by the city are usually native species from the surrounding area, so they’re easy to grow.

Branching Out

If you want to branch out and grow something that gives back, consider yourself lucky. Texas’ state tree, the pecan, is a prized producer of delicious nuts. The state is actually the highest-volume producer of natural pecans, and the tree is fairly easy to grow.

If you do plant a pecan tree, remember that they can grow over 150 feet tall and quite wide, so pick your site carefully. Other fruiting trees typically grown nearby include the Mexican plum (Prunus mexicana), black cherry (Prunus serotina), and the common paw paw (Simina triloba). Keep in mind that while most of these survive without a problem, they won’t all produce fruit with the same regularity.

Tree Pests & Diseases in Arlington

Arlington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8, which means that many trees and ornamental shrubs from colder climates also flourish here. It’s important to remember that trees aren’t the only things that grow well in the area.

One major uninvited guest you need to watch out for is kudzu. Although it looks quite pretty when flowering, this invasive vine smothers other plants and trees by blocking out their light, even if they’re relatively mature and well-rooted.

Kudzu is nearly impossible to kill effectively because of its extreme proliferation and deep taproot systems. Although they’re labor intensive, regular mowing and mechanical removal are the best solutions. These methods are way more effective than herbicides or biological agents that can also unintentionally cause collateral damage to other species.

Texas trees are subject to numerous viral diseases. Many of these target certain species, like the fungal diseases and nematodes that target specific citrus trees. Other diseases, like erwinia carotovora, or bacterial soft rot, and pyhtopthora, or crown and stem rot, are caused by water mold fungi that are extremely opportunistic. These do affect particular species, but they will spread to others if the conditions are right. Avoiding excessive watering, creating proper drainage and hiring tree removal services to deal with any affected growths immediately are the best ways to maintain a healthy ecosystem on your home or business property.

Plant Hardiness Zones in East Texas

Here are the plant hardiness zones for East Texas as provided by the USDA:

Sources:
Arlington Parks and Recreation, “Tree trimming”
Oncor, “Know before you grow” (PDF)
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, “Aggie Horticulture”
Crape myrtle
Mexican plum

Local Tree Services in Arlington, TX