A short checklist for the day before a tree comes down: what to move, where the crane and chipper will set up, whether you need to be home, and what the site looks like when we leave.
Once the estimate is agreed, the next question is usually “what do I need to do?” Not much. A few small things the day before make the job smoother, and most of the rest is on us. Here’s the short version for homeowners in Painesville, Lake County and across Northeast Ohio.
The day before
- Move vehicles out of the driveway and away from the tree, and off the street in front if the crane will set up there.
- Clear the area under and around the tree: patio furniture, grills, toys, planters, hoses and anything else on the lawn.
- Think about pets and kids. Keep them inside while equipment is running; it’s the simplest way to keep everyone safe.
- Mention anything fragile: garden beds, a sprinkler line, a fence or a play set near the work. Tell us at the estimate and we plan around it.
What shows up, and where it sets up
The right equipment for the tree comes with the five-man crew: the crane truck or the tracked spider lift, the chipper, the skid steer. Before the first cut, ground protection mats go under the outriggers and tracks so the lawn and driveway are protected, and the drop zone is coned off. Where the equipment sets up depends on access. Our post on getting equipment to back-yard trees shows how that works when the tree is behind the house, and the equipment tour shows what each machine does.
Do I need to be home?
No. As long as we can get to the tree and we’ve agreed on the work, you don’t need to be home. Plenty of jobs get done while the owner is at work. If you’d like to be there, that’s fine too, and it’s easy to point out anything you want handled a particular way.
During the job
On a crane job, the crane takes the weight of each section before the cut, and the pieces swing clear to the staging area instead of dropping. You’ll see the whole process in this walkthrough. The chipper and skid steer work as the tree comes down, so there’s no pile building up on your lawn.
When we leave
Brush is chipped and hauled, the wood is cleared, the area is raked out, and the stump is ground if you asked for that. Here’s what same-day cleanup looks like. Payment is due when the work is finished, not before, and we take all standard payment methods.
Haven’t booked yet?
If you’re still deciding, start with how to choose a tree service in Lake County, then request a free estimate or call 440-901-8427. We’re insured and bonded, and we run 24/7 emergency service if a tree is down now. Not sure about the work itself? Read tree trimming or tree removal: how to decide, or see our tree removal service.