Tree removal going rate? (New Braunfels, Universal City: rental, insurance, houses)

[coffeepotbend]

What would be the going rate to get a 50 foot ash tree cut up and hauled away? Do you know if Universal city is hauling away storm debree (including this tree if it were cut up and placed on the curb) like the city of New Braunfels is doing? This tree isn't in my yard, I'm asking the question for a friend.

[RGJ]

I think I was quoted in the $500 range for about that size of an Ash Tree. I declined. I suppose a lot depends on how close the tree is to houses, fences or other structures it might hit on the way down

[coffeepotbend]

HHHMMMM...yes, good point. I know it's on a fence for sure. The homeowner has it as a rental and lives out of state. He wants my husband to take care of it for $200.....sounds like a big hassle.....and maybe a liability.

[RGJ]

It it were out in a field, one or two cuts and it's down. If you have to worry about houses, fences, then I think they have to climb up and sort of "whittle" it down branch by branch. The quote I got was only for cutting it down and putting it at the curb for the city to pick up.

[wellguy]

Although it sounds like a lot of work for $200 it may be worth his time. I would think that a lot of Cites would be generous at a time like this and start to pick up downed trees, limbs, etc. No one expected this much damage and to some it is an expense that nobody wants and to some unaffordable.

I saw a lot of Commercial Tree Trimming Services out today. There is no telling what they are charging folks.

Although no one wants to submit and insurance claim can he go that route? The damaged fence would also be included. It's always worth a call.

[RGJ]

Personally I wouldn't touch a tree of that size in a typical neighborhood and I've cut a few trees down in my life. And from what I gather from what the OP is saying, the fence isn't damaged now, but could be in removing the tree. Most city lots are 50-60' wide so if it's a fifty foot tree in the middle of yard, it's going to end up on someone else's property.

[coffeepotbend]

The tree was knocked down by the storm. It's laying across a fence, the fence is crushed. It's in the front yard, and in a neighborhood.

I had not thought about insurance. He should have insurance. I'm guessing he asked us because of price gouging by a tree service, and he's out of state which makes it worse, it's nice to have boots on the ground (friends). Plus, I would think $200 is cheap for this sort of job.

I'll need to call Universal City tomorrow and ask if their being generous with clean up efforts. I would think they would be.

I found out the tree is actually an Elm tree.

I don't know......I just don't like the way this whole thing smells.....it worries me.

[coffeepotbend]

...Yet, if he were able to put the cut up pieces on the curb...then maybe it is worth his time.

[blizzrd]

I got lucky and only paid about 200 to get one taken down that was in my yard and my neighbor's but the guy that did it is part of my wife's family. I had gotten estimates up to $700 and another $250 to remove/grind the stump.