Boston · Large tree removal
Large Tree Removal in Boston
The cutting is the short part of a large Boston removal. Most of the planning goes into where the crane will sit, which permits allow it to sit there, and how several tons of wood will leave a yard with no driveway.
Call availability varies by area and time of day. Calls are answered by an independent tree service provider.
From first visit to last load
Site visit
The company measures the tree, the distance to the street and the obstacles between them.
Method decided
Crane from the street, crane from a neighbor's driveway, or climbing with rigging.
Permits pulled
Street occupancy for the truck, chipper and crane. No-parking signs posted in advance.
Utilities scheduled
The electric service drop is disconnected for the day if limbs are in it.
Removal day
Often a single long day once everything is in place.
Stump and restoration
Grinding, backfill and any fence panels put back.
Why the street matters more than the yard
On a typical Boston residential block the houses nearly touch, parking is on both sides, and the travel lane is one car wide. A crane with its outriggers extended can take the full width of the street. Traffic has to be detoured, and on many streets that requires a police detail.
The crane lifts each section up and over the house, then lowers it to a crew in the street who cut and chip it immediately. Nothing is stockpiled, because there is nowhere to put it.
Where a crane cannot be used, because of wires, a street too narrow or a tree too far back, the tree is climbed. Pieces are cut small enough to be carried through a side passage or, occasionally, through the house.
Permits involved in a private removal
The tree itself, if it stands wholly on private property and away from wetlands, does not need a city removal permit.
The work in the street does. Boston requires a street occupancy permit to place equipment in the roadway or to reserve parking spaces, and signs must be posted ahead of time. Larger setups can require a police detail and, on some streets, coordination with the transportation department.
A reputable company obtains these permits as part of the job. Ask to see them. A crew that blocks a street without a permit can be shut down partway through the job.
Crane or climb
| Factor | Crane | Climb and rig |
|---|---|---|
| Time on site | Usually one day | Two to four days for a big tree |
| Street impact | Full or partial closure | Parking spaces for truck and chipper |
| Risk to house and neighbors | Lower. Pieces are lifted clear. | Higher. Pieces are lowered beside structures. |
| Suits dead or decayed trees | Yes | Often not |
| Crew time | Fewer labor hours, plus crane and detail | More labor hours |
What a city removal adds to the job
- Crane rental
- Booked for a set day, with the setup spot agreed in advance.
- Police detail
- Scheduled ahead for the hours the street is occupied.
- Street permits
- Issued per space and per day.
- Hand carry
- Where no machine can reach, labor multiplies.
- Disposal
- Large hardwood logs are heavy to haul and dump. See large tree removal for how big jobs are planned.
Boston large tree removal questions
Do I need a permit to remove a large tree in my Boston yard?
Not for the tree, in most cases. Your contractor needs a street occupancy permit for equipment in the roadway, and wetlands or historic district rules may apply to some lots.
How far ahead should I book a crane removal in Boston?
Several weeks. Permits, posted signs, utility disconnects and crane availability all have lead times.
Can a crane lift a tree over a three-story house?
Yes, if the crane is large enough for the reach and weight and there is a place to set it up. The crane company decides after a site visit.
Who arranges the police detail?
The contractor arranges it as part of the job. It should appear as a line in the written scope.
Large Tree Removal help in Boston
Call to be connected with an independent tree company that works in Boston, MA.
(844) 955-1716Call availability varies by area and time of day
Limbwright is a referral service. Your call goes to an independent tree service company that sets its own schedule and terms. Ask for proof of insurance and a written scope before work starts. How this works
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Talk to a tree service provider in your area. Have the tree's location and what it is near ready.
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