Pasadena Tree Trimming Cost

Over time, the branches on a tree will overgrow, giving the tree an undesirable shape. The unappealing look created by overgrown branches can make your compound look unkempt, leading to lower property value.

Fortunately, with regular trimming, you can get rid of dead branches, overgrown limbs, and dry parts of a tree. This results in a better-looking tree, and hence, a more valuable commercial or residential property.

If you are new to professional trimming, you may not be familiar with the tree trimming cost. In Pasadena, several factors affect the amount you pay to trim each tree. In this guide, we will take a deeper look at these factors.

Pasadena Tree Trimming Cost

In Pasadena, you will pay between $80 and $1000 to trim a single tree depending on its accessibility, condition, size, and a range of other factors. Since a large number of property owners have average-sized trees on their properties, the average tree trimming cost ranges from $250 to $500.

Tree height is one of the major tree trimming cost factors. For example, if you have a tree below 25 feet, you can trim the tree at about $80. When the tree height falls between 25 and 50 feet, the cost increases to $175. Once your tree grows to over 50 feet, the tree trimmers may charge you between $300 and $1000.

Factors Affecting Tree Trimming Cost in Pasadena

1. Tree Size

Taller trees have their crowns at a significant distance from the ground. This makes them much riskier to work on, especially in circumstances when a tree trimmer has to climb up the tree.

In most cases, the taller trees carry bigger branches. These need heavy tools to saw off the tree. Often, the complicated shapes on the bigger trees need more time to work around. All this suggests that you should expect to pay more money to trim a taller tree. Below, we have outlined the costs to expect for various tree heights:

• Under 30 feet– If you have a dogwood tree, Russian Olive, or any other tree whose height does not exceed 30 feet; you should expect to spend $75 to $450 on the tree trimming.
• 30 to 60 feet– Trees falling in this height category cost $150 to $875 to trim. In Pasadena, crab apples tend to have a height of between 30 and 60 feet.
• More than 60 feet– Pine and red oak trees tend to have an average height of more than 60 feet. If you have trees falling in this category, you should set aside $200 to $1000 for the tree trimming.

2. Accessibility

Nowadays, most tree trimmers have modern equipment to help make the tree trimming process much easier. However, the use of the equipment is often limited by the tree’s accessibility.

For example, if your tree is surrounded by houses or utility lines, it may be impossible to use a bucket truck to get to the top branches. In such an event, a tree trimmer will have to climb up the tree manually – in addition to being risky, this requires more time and effort. For this reason, minimal accessibility drives up the tree trimming cost.

If you have an 80-foot tree in an open field, and a bucket truck can be used, the tree may cost about $1000 to trim. However, if the tree is sitting on an enclosed location where the bucket truck cannot be used, the tree trimmers will have to climb up the tree manually. This can increase your tree trimming cost to $1400 or more.

3. Tree Stability

If your tree is unstable, the tree trimmers will have to use stabilizing techniques to keep it from swaying around during the tree trimming process. In most cases, once the tree trimming is completed, the tree service providers may have to come up with creative ways to boost the rate at which the tree regains its stability. All this increases the amount you spend on the tree trimming procedure.

4. Tree Health

Much like other living things, trees in Pasadena do deal with pests and health problems. In most cases, these problems compromise the tree’s structure, making the trimming job riskier. This leads to an increased tree trimming cost.

In most cases, the tree trimmers have to work with a certified arborist to determine what is ailing the tree. The arborist will recommend the right medications and pesticides to help speed up the tree’s recovery.

Since you will have to pay for the arborist services, medications, and/or pesticides separately, it is easy to see why unhealthy trees feature a higher maintenance cost. On average, Pasadena residents spend $50 to $500 in addition to the quoted tree trimming cost.

5. Travel Fees

Tree service providers have a specified zone of operation for which they do not charge a travel fee. This means that you can avoid paying a travel fee by hiring tree trimmers nearest to the trees you intend to trim.

If the tree trimmers you intend to hire are located a significant distance from where your trees are, you should expect to spend some money on a travel fee. On average, each mile traveled outside the service zone costs $0.5. However, some tree trimmers may charge a fixed rate of $50 to $200 depending on the amount of time spent on the road.

6. Number of Trees

When trimming several trees at the same time, most tree trimmers will offer a per-tree discount. For example, if you intend to trim one 70-foot tree, you may be charged $600. However, when trimming ten 70-foot trees, you may end up paying $5,000. This means that each tree will cost only $500, helping you save $100 per tree.

The higher tree trimming cost of trimming one tree is the result of various fixed costs involved when trimming a tree. The fixed costs include the cost of licenses and permits, vehicle charges, overhead costs, gas costs, and insurance costs.

DIY Tree Trimming – Is It a Good Idea?

To Trim a tree correctly, you need an understanding of the tree’s natural shape, experience on how to restore the shape if the branches are overgrown, and knowledge on how to use the tree trimming gear correctly.

If you have trimmed trees before, you may understand how to conduct the tree trimming procedure safely. If, however, this is the first time you are trimming your trees, you will need to consider the following tips:

Risks Involved

Tree trimming is a risky tree maintenance procedure. The risks increase as the tree height increases. If you intend to turn tree trimming into a DIY project, we would recommend trimming small, low-risk trees.

If you have tall trees in your compound, it is always a good idea to let professionals handle the tree trimming procedure. Armed with modern tree trimming gear, the professionals will be able to minimize the risks.

The main risks associated with tree trimming include:

• Injury– When trimming a tall tree, falling could lead to broken bones, and in extreme cases, death. Since you will be using sharp tools, you may end up cutting yourself. Spending the rest of your life in a wheelchair is never a good thing and neither is spending thousands of dollars on hospital bills.
• Property damage– When trimming a tree alone or without the necessary support gear, controlling where the branches fall is generally not easy. Hence, you may end up dropping the branches on your house, garage, or another important structure. Repair costs will be high compared to the amount you would have spent on professional tree trimming.
• Tree damage– When trimming a tree, professionals have to analyze branches to ensure that they are sawing off the right branches. They follow the right procedure to remove each branch without harming a tree. If you cut the wrong branches, you may shorten the tree’s lifespan or damage it irreparably. In the event of irreparable damage, you may be forced to spend money on tree removal and replacement.

You Will Need Tree Trimming Tools

With the following tools, you will be able to trim small, non-risky trees:

• Loppers and hand-held pruners– Pasadena residents pay $30 to $50 to acquire these.
• Gas pole pruner– Armed with an average of $150 to $300, you should be able to pay for a gas pole pruner.
• Safety gear– To keep your eyes, head, hands, and other parts of your body safe, you may need to invest in some safety goggles, helmet, safety gloves, and a safety harness. This could set you back $50 to $150.
• Ladder– To reach the top branches, you may need a stable ladder. This can cost between $150 and $600.

In some cases, the amount you would spend on professional tree trimming will be much less compared to the amount you would need to invest in tree trimming gear. In such a case, professional trimming might be a better idea.

Note: When using the same gear to trim several trees, you must sanitize them in between the transitions. This will help you avoid spreading diseases from one tree to the other. Professionals recommend using rubbing alcohol with a percentage concentration of 70% when sanitizing cutting gear.

Correct Tree Trimming Procedure

When trimming your trees, you will need to follow the procedure below:

1. Wait for the Dormant Stage

This is the period when trees stop growing actively. Waiting for the dormant stage lets you saw off the right branches.

2. Consider Branch Size

Professionals recommend the removal of branches whose diameter does not exceed 5 cm. Branches with a diameter of more than 5 cm are best left on the tree. When the diameter hits 10 cm, do not remove the branch unless it is a safety risk or suffering from a health problem.

3. Consider Branch Angle

Trees forming a U-shape angle with your tree trunk should not be removed – only remove these if they are unsafe or suffering from a health issue. Trees featuring a weak V-shaped angle should be your first choice of removal.

4. Remove Young Branches

In addition to being much easier to manage, young branches do not scar. This makes them ideal for removal.

5. Cut the Branches Correctly

When cutting a branch, start by finding its collar – this will be the point at which the branch attaches to the tree trunk. Next, locate the branch ridge, which should be located just above the collar. Once you locate the ridge and the collar, go ahead and cut in between them. Avoid leaving a huge stub on the tree or cutting too close to the trunk.

How to Reduce the Amount You Spend on Tree Trimming

Tree trimming is supposed to be a regular maintenance practice, and the amount you spend on the tree trimming cost can add up over time. By taking advantage of some simple tips, you should be able to reduce your trimming budget significantly. Below, we have outlined some of the tips you can use:

• If your trees are sitting just next to power lines, you can let the power company handle the tree trimming. Power companies will invest in tree trimming to improve safety by minimizing the risk of electrocution.
• Water and fertilize your trees regularly. This should help boost tree health. As noted earlier, unhealthy trees have a higher tree trimming cost. If your trees are healthy, the amount you spend on trimming will be much lower.
• Invest in the regular tree maintenance procedure more often. A common mistake that tree owners make is waiting for too long before investing in tree maintenance procedures. If your trees are extremely out of shape, with a large number of overgrown and dead branches, your tree trimming cost will be higher compared to someone with trees that aren’t too much out of shape.
• Use medications to treat health problems when they appear on your tree. Spray pests as soon as you notice them. Trees dealing with pest infestations and health problems cost more to trim compared to healthy trees.