Trees have a limited lifespan, and disease, insects, storms and construction can shorten it fast. When a tree has to come down, you want a crew that has done the hard ones before. Tubbs Tree Service handles removals of every size, from a single dead ash by the driveway to a lot with dozens of trees, across Tompkins County and the surrounding counties of Upstate New York.
Our motto is simple: no tree too big and no space too small. Trees leaning over a roof, squeezed between a house and a garage, or reaching over fences and wires are the jobs we like. Every removal starts with Jason Tubbs on your property, so the plan is built around your tree, your yard and your budget.
When a Tree Needs to Come Down
Not every problem tree has to go, and part of a good consultation is telling you when one can stay. Removal is usually the right call when the tree is dead or dying, when decay has reached the trunk or the root flare, when it leans toward a structure and the lean is getting worse, or when it simply no longer fits the space it grew into.
- Dead or mostly bare crown, or bark falling away in sheets
- Ash trees in decline from emerald ash borer, which has spread across New York
- Deep cracks, cavities or fungus at the base
- Roots heaving or cut during construction, drainage or septic work
- A tree crowding a foundation, roof, driveway or septic field
- Land you want to open up for a building, garden, solar array or view
How We Take a Tree Down Safely
Open ground lets a tree be felled in one piece. Most residential removals are not like that. When a house, garage, fence or neighbor’s yard sits inside the drop zone, the tree comes down in controlled sections, top to bottom, with each piece lowered or lifted out instead of dropped.
We choose the method that fits the tree and the property. A climber with ropes and rigging can work almost anywhere, including backyards a truck cannot reach. A bucket truck speeds up work where the ground is firm and there is access. A crane lifts large sections straight up and away, which is often the safest way to take a big tree off or over a house. Sometimes the best plan combines all three.
What Your Removal Plan Includes
After the consultation, Jason gives you an itemized action plan with options, so you can pick the level of service that fits your budget. A removal plan typically spells out:
- Which trees come down and which stay, with the reason for each
- The method: climbing, bucket truck, crane, or a mix
- Brush handling: chipped and hauled, or chipped and left as mulch
- Wood handling: hauled away, cut to firewood length and stacked, or left in rounds for you
- Stump grinding, if you want it, and how far below grade
- Cleanup and protection for lawns, gardens and hardscape
What Drives the Cost of Tree Removal
Every job is quoted after we see it, because two trees of the same height can be very different jobs. These are the factors that move the price most:
- Size and condition: a large or dead tree takes more rigging and more care
- Targets underneath: houses, decks, fences, wires and gardens mean sectional removal
- Access: whether a truck or crane can reach, or every piece has to be carried out
- Slope and ground: steep yards, soft lawns and lakefront banks slow the work
- Cleanup level: hauling everything costs more than leaving wood and chips on site
- Stump grinding and the number of trees done in one visit
Where the Wood Goes
A removed tree still has value. We plan for the byproducts to be used locally: wood as firewood, chips as mulch, and sometimes logs as building material. If you heat with wood, ask us to cut and stack it for you. If you garden, keep the chips. Planning the wood before the job starts keeps more of it out of the brush pile and can lower your cleanup cost.
Fully Insured, Owner Led
Tree removal is dangerous work, and an uninsured crew puts that risk on you. Tubbs Tree Service is fully insured. Jason brings more than 20 years of experience in forestry, residential tree work, and construction and property management, and he plans each removal himself.
Tree Removal by County
Every county we serve has its own trees, terrain and rules. See what tree removal looks like where you live:
- Tree Removal in Tompkins County, NY
- Tree Removal in Tioga County, NY
- Tree Removal in Chemung County, NY
- Tree Removal in Cortland County, NY
- Tree Removal in Schuyler County, NY
- Tree Removal in Seneca County, NY
Common Questions
Do you remove trees close to houses?
Yes. Trees near homes, garages and other structures are taken down in controlled sections, lowered on ropes or lifted out with a crane, so nothing falls where it should not.
Can you grind the stump at the same time?
Yes. Stump grinding can be added to any removal so the job is finished in one visit. Your plan will list it as its own line so you can decide.
Can I keep the wood?
Yes. We can leave the wood in rounds, cut it to firewood length, or haul it away. Tell Jason at the consultation and it will be written into your plan.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my property?
Usually not for a tree on private property, but some cities and villages regulate trees in the street right-of-way or on public land. If a tree sits between the sidewalk and the street, check with your city or village first. We can help you figure out whose tree it is.
What if the tree is near power lines?
Lines that touch or run through a tree are the utility’s responsibility to make safe. If a tree is on a wire, stay back and call your utility. Once the line is safe or de-energized, we can remove the tree.
Why is there a $50 fee for the consultation?
It covers Jason’s time to visit, look at the tree in person and build a written, itemized plan with options. If you accept the plan, the full $50 is credited toward your job.