Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the tree's height, its condition and how hard it is to reach. Homeyou's 2026 Grand Rapids figures put removal of a medium tree at about $500 to $680, and national guides from HomeGuide and Angi put most removals between about $200 and $2,000, with pruning commonly $400 to $900 a tree. We give a written price for each tree after seeing it.

You need one for a city street tree, which is any tree in the grass strip between the sidewalk and the street. The permit is free, the city reviews requests within two business days, and a removal permit requires the stump to be ground. City Forestry also does tree preservation reviews for development projects, so if the removal is part of building work, ask the city before cutting.

The Michigan DNR says not to prune oaks from April 15 to July 15, the highest-risk period for oak wilt, and the City of Grand Rapids advises avoiding oak trimming from April through September. Late fall and winter, when the trees are dormant and the beetles are inactive, is the safest time. If an oak is wounded in spring or summer, the DNR recommends covering the wound right away with tree-wound or latex paint.

Consumers Energy handles trees on its distribution lines. If a line is down, call 911 and then 800-477-5050, and stay away from the tree and the wire. Trees near the service line that runs to your house are the owner's responsibility; the utility can schedule a temporary disconnect so a tree company can work safely, and we can take care of the rest of the tree once the line is clear.

If it can reach your house, a driveway, a sidewalk or the street, it is better not to wait. Dead ash dries out and turns brittle, so a tree that could be climbed and taken down in sections a few years ago may need a lift or extra rigging today. An ash out in an open corner of the yard is lower priority, but it will not recover.

Only small material. Grand Rapids curbside yard waste takes branches bundled up to 4 feet long and 2 inches in diameter with a purple bulk tag, and it does not accept logs, stumps or whole trees. That is why our quotes say exactly what happens to the wood, chips and brush.

Get a written quote that lists each tree, the cleanup and the stump. Ask for a certificate of liability insurance and workers' compensation sent directly from the insurer, and if the job involves judging a tree's health or safety, ask whether an ISA Certified Arborist will look at it. Michigan does not issue a state license for tree cutting or removal, so those questions matter more here.

Homeyou's 2026 Grand Rapids figures put a medium tree at about $500 to $680. National guides run from about $200 for a small, easy tree to $2,000 or more for a large one, and Angi says tight or unsafe sites can add 25% to 50%. We price each tree in writing after seeing it.

Not without a permit. That strip is city right-of-way in Grand Rapids, and the trees in it are city trees. The permit is free; the city reviews requests within two business days, and it requires the stump to be ground and the strip restored after removal.

Usually. Dead wood, especially dead ash, can snap unpredictably, so climbing and rigging take longer and a lift is sometimes the safer choice. Angi notes that poor tree health can add up to about 15% to the cost. Removing a tree while it is still declining is generally easier than after it is fully dead.

Yes. Limbs over another property are cut in small pieces and lowered on ropes so nothing falls where it should not. It helps to let your neighbor know beforehand, since a climber or ground worker may need to step onto their side.

Keep it as firewood, have it stacked, or have it hauled away. The city's curbside program does not take logs or stumps, so we agree on the wood before the job. Burn ash and oak close to home rather than moving it.

Mature shade trees usually need a pruning every three to five years, and young trees benefit from a light structural pruning every couple of years while they are growing fast. Trees over a roof or driveway may need attention more often. Dead wood should come out whenever you see it.

No, not on your own. Grand Rapids does not allow residents to prune city street trees. You can apply for a free permit to hire a company to prune it, and the city reviews requests within two business days.

For many species, yes. With the leaves off, the branch structure is easy to see, the ground is often frozen enough to protect the lawn, and for oaks it avoids the oak wilt season. Very cold days and deep snow can slow the work, so we schedule around the weather.

Proper trimming removes or shortens selected limbs back to a branch or the trunk. Topping cuts the main stems off at an arbitrary height, which leaves large wounds and causes a mass of weak new shoots that break easily in snow. ANSI A300 pruning standards and ISA guidance both advise against topping.

Homeyou's 2026 Grand Rapids page gives a wide range of $75 to $1,000, because stump size varies so much. HomeGuide puts a typical first stump at $120 to $400, with additional stumps at $30 to $60 each. We measure and quote each stump in writing.

Usually several inches below the soil surface, which is enough for sod or seed. If you plan to plant a tree or set a paver patio in the same spot, tell us, and we can go deeper where the roots allow.

Yes, if the tree was removed under a Grand Rapids homeowner permit. The permit requires the stump to be ground and the right-of-way restored. If city crews removed the tree, the city grinds the stump itself, often a few months later.

Some species, including many maples, poplars and locusts, can send up sprouts from the stump and roots. Grinding below grade removes most of the sprouting tissue; a few shoots may still appear and can be cut or mowed until the roots give out.

Call 911 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050, and stay away from the tree and the wire. Do not try to move branches off the line. Once the utility has made the line safe, we can remove the tree and clean up.

HomeGuide says same-day or next-day emergency work often runs two to three times the normal rate, and Angi puts some storm removals as high as $5,000. A tree lying in an open yard can cost much less. We give a written price before any cutting, even in an emergency.

It depends on your policy. Many policies help when a tree damages a covered structure, and many do not cover a tree that falls without hitting anything. Take photos before cleanup, call your insurer, and keep the itemized invoice.

Report it to the City of Grand Rapids at 311 or 616-456-3000. The Forestry Division handles storm response for city trees. If it is on your house or blocking access, tell the city that when you call.

Late fall and winter are safest. The Michigan DNR says not to prune oaks from April 15 to July 15, and the City of Grand Rapids advises avoiding oak trimming from April through September.

There is no cure. Red oaks usually die within weeks of symptoms appearing; white oaks resist better and may decline slowly. Fungicide injection is sometimes used on high-value oaks that are not yet showing symptoms, and that is a decision for an oak wilt specialist.

Watch for leaves browning from the tips and edges inward in summer, rapid leaf drop and wilting from the top of the tree down, usually between late June and September. Drought, other diseases and insects can look similar, so lab testing is recommended before removing trees.

Burn it locally, chip it or debark it before April 15, according to the Michigan DNR. Do not move it to a cabin or campground. Extension guidance describes tarping split wood under sealed 4-mil plastic for about a year if you want to keep it.

Watch for dead branches high in the crown, leaves that are small, pale or late to appear, bark falling off, fungus at the base, and new cracks. One sign alone may not mean much; several together usually do. An on-site look is the quickest way to know.

Sometimes. Ash trees that are still in good condition can be protected with insecticide treatment applied by a licensed pesticide applicator, which in Michigan requires state certification. Trees with heavy dieback near homes are usually better removed.

As of the state's recent updates, it has been confirmed in nearby lakeshore counties including Ottawa, Muskegon and Allegan, but Kent is not on that list. The City of Grand Rapids already lists it among the pests its forestry staff manage. If you see white cottony masses under hemlock branches, report it through MISIN or call 800-292-3939.

For a simple removal or pruning decision, an experienced tree company can usually tell you what it sees. For disputes, insurance questions, construction near valuable trees or complex disease, an ISA Certified Arborist's written report is worth getting. You can verify that credential on the International Society of Arboriculture's website.