Wichita Tree Removal

Trimming fixes a tree that is basically sound. Removal is for a tree that is dead, dying or too risky to keep. Common reasons:

• Dead or dying. Large dead limbs, loose bark, or a crown with few or no leaves in the growing season.
• Leaning. A new lean, or soil heaved up at the base, can mean the roots are failing. Have it looked at.
• Trunk or root damage. Cracks, hollow sections, roots cut or lifted.
• Storm damage. A split main trunk, or bark torn off so the inner wood shows, often means the tree will not recover. A torn-out limb alone may only need pruning. If a tree is on the house or a line, go to emergency and storm damage.
• A tree that tends to fail. K-State lists Siberian elm, Bradford pear, Russian olive and willow among the weaker trees. An old one near the house is worth a hard look.

Not sure which one you have? Send the form and describe it. If trimming is enough, we say so. See tree trimming.

Near a house, fence, shed or power lines, a tree usually can't just be dropped. We climb or use a lift, cut it in sections and lower each piece on ropes. That is called sectioning and rigging.

In an open yard with room, we may be able to drop the tree or take it in larger pieces. We decide on site. For a very tall tree, or one over a building, a crane may be needed. It is added to the job only when the site calls for it.

• Height. Taller trees take more time, more rigging and more hauling.
• Access. A tree beside a house, a fence or power lines costs more than one in an open yard.
• A crane. Very tall trees, or trees over a building, can need one.
• Haul-away. Hauling the wood and brush off is usually part of the job, but not every quote includes it. Confirm what is covered. If you clear it yourself, that can change the number.
• The tree itself. Dead, hollow or storm-damaged trees can be harder and slower to take down.

For a rough range by size, use the tree cost calculator. The real price comes from looking at the tree.

A tree in the street right-of-way, the strip between the curb and the sidewalk, belongs to City Forestry, not to you. City Forestry also says healthy right-of-way trees are not removed for sewer or sidewalk conflicts. Trees in alleys and utility easements are the adjacent owner's. Each alley owner maintains their half. The City does not work on private-property trees. The City of Wichita's Forestry operations page covers the right-of-way, sewer and sidewalk, and easement rules. The City's tree rules FAQ covers alleys and private trees.

Check the City of Wichita's Forestry operations page before you call about a tree near the curb.

The City no longer plants Callery pear. The Great Plains Nature Center and Parks are removing Callery pear at Chisholm Creek Park South. There is no City rebate program proposed for residents who remove one.

K-State lists Bradford pear among the weaker trees. If you have one in your yard and it is splitting, leaning or hanging over the house, send the form and say it is a pear.

Haul-away is the easy way. The other way is to take the wood and brush to the City of Wichita's Brooks Landfill yourself. The landfill charges a fee. For the amounts, see the City of Wichita's Brooks Landfill page. Branches and logs add up, and a large tree can mean several loads. Many people leave the hauling to the crew.

A tree removal leaves a stump unless the stump is ground too. See stump grinding. For a rough range on both at once, use the tree cost calculator.