- Typical price
- $500 to $2,500 depending on size and access
- Urgency
- Sooner is safer, especially over a house
- Cutting risk
- Dead wood breaks without warning
How to Tell It Is Dead
Scratch a twig in summer. Green under the bark means alive, brown and dry means dead. Other signs are bark falling off in sheets, no leaves on part or all of the tree during the growing season, mushrooms at the base, and soft or hollow wood. Some trees are only dead on one side and still need an expert look.
Why Dead Trees Are More Dangerous
Dead wood is brittle. A crew can hear and feel a live tree as they cut, but dead wood breaks without warning. Crews take extra steps, such as cranes or rigging, which can raise the price.
Common Causes in the Piedmont
Drought stress, root damage from construction, poor drainage in clay, insects such as pine beetles and fungus can all kill a tree. Sometimes you will not know why. A tree service or certified arborist can say if it is salvageable.
Do Not Wait
A dead tree over a house, driveway or fence gets more fragile every season. If it already leans, see leaning tree removal. For all the warning signs, read signs a tree needs to be removed.