Pine Tree Removal in Buffalo NY

Taking down a pine tree is no easy feat, and the expense of removing large or mature pines might come as an unwelcome surprise. While all trees can be removed to some degree, every job presents its own unique challenges which must be factored into the costs.

Removing a pine tree from your property is more complex than removing other treasured species, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid planting them altogether. Knowing the distinct differences between cutting down conifers and deciduous trees will prove beneficial if ever faced with such a task. Additionally, taking care of these majestic pines means lessening any potential need for removal in the future.

In this article, we’ll explore why you should consider removing the pine trees around your Buffalo home and what to expect from the process. From learning about different varieties of pines found in Buffalo and their sizes to understanding 9 valid reasons for removal, as well as recognizing which types of projects should be left only to experienced tree removal professionals – this guide covers it all! Plus, discover the many benefits that come with having these majestic evergreens on your property.

Pine Trees in Buffalo, New York

If you’re in Buffalo, some of the most commonly seen pine trees are Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus L.), Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida), and Red or Norway Pine (Pinus resinosa). The tallest native conifer around here is the Eastern White one; it reaches up to 100 feet tall with a 2-4 foot trunk diameter. On the other hand, its smaller sibling – Pitch Pine – can reach heights between 50-80 ft., whereas Red/Norway Pines grow over 200ft high but usually don’t exceed 75-80 ft. For these two species, trunks range from 1 to 3 ft wide respectively.

As you can observe, our native pine trees are a significant height. Furthermore, they grow rapidly and often reach heights that far exceed what a homeowner is able to prune or trim down.

Pine Tree Benefits

Let’s take a moment to recognize the invaluable contributions of pines! Not only do these evergreens (Pinus species) help protect us from harsh winter elements in Buffalo like cold, snow, ice and rain by acting as formidable windbreaks but they also bring an aura of peace with their year-round crowns of dark green needles. Pines fill our gardens and landscapes with life even during those dreary seasons when foliage is scarce; offering needed shelter for wildlife seeking refuge over winter months too. Without pines, where would we be?

Before you take drastic action and chop down your pine tree, consider whether a more conservative approach – that of trimming it appropriately – would suffice to remedy any issues you may be having.

Why Should You Remove a Pine Tree?

Pruning may not be enough to address all of your pine tree issues. People often choose to cut down a pine due to:

• The protruding roots have become a tripping hazard, making it dangerous to move around the area.
• Towering at an incredible 150 feet or more, some of these conifers are simply too big to believe.
• The dark and gloomy atmosphere created by the pine trees’ dense canopy can be a bit too oppressive, robbing your outdoor area of sunlight.
• Contrary to what is typically assumed, pine needles will not cause soil acidity. In fact, its dense canopy of foliage does not just restrict sunlight; it also prevents rain from reaching the ground below which causes an arid environment in which only a few things can flourish. Consider using these needles as mulch for your plants and gardens!
• The tree’s expanse is overshadowing your view – Pine trees are known to grow from 20-40 feet wide, and their branches start directly at the ground. This can obstruct sight lines more than deciduous trees that sprout higher up off the ground.
• The tree’s sap (resin or pitch) is dripping and coating surfaces beneath it with a sticky, seemingly-permanent residue. Removing this substance can be an arduous task that can end up leaving permanent stains on affected areas.
• The pine tree has weak yet brittle wood that can easily be damaged and broken due to rough weather or lightning strikes. They are particularly vulnerable during thunderstorms, as their great height increases the chances of being struck by lightning compared to other trees.
• Are you tired of witnessing a yearly blanket of yellow powder brought about by the rampant pine pollen? Not to mention, this unwelcome seasonal occurrence coats cars, walkways, homes, decks and beyond with an unpleasant reminder that spring has arrived.
• If a tree has become hazardous, then it is essential to take action and have the decayed or damaged structure removed. However, even if trees are deceased they may not always need to be uprooted.

Despite all that, pines can create a beautiful look to any area if planted in an ample space. If you give them the proper amount of room for growth, the above-mentioned issues won’t become an issue at all!

Pine Tree Removal in Buffalo and Surrounding Areas

Before beginning a pine tree removal project, whether you’re doing it yourself (which is not advisable) or calling in the pros from a tree service provider, make sure that you have adequately prepped the site.

When a pine needs to be cut down, the crew will begin by snipping off all its branches where they meet the trunk – which is no small feat! Afterwards, sawing the tree into sections begins. Depending on how big and situated it was before being chopped down, a crane might have been necessary for taking away these parts of the tree.

Subsequently, wood chips are created from all its branches, needles and pieces of bark through running them through an industrial chipper machine; meanwhile larger logs get loaded onto trucks ready to transport their cargo elsewhere. Lastly – if desired –the remaining stump can then be efficiently eliminated using a powerful stump grinder tool.

Pine Tree Removal Should NOT Be Done By Yourself

While the above steps are typical when removing a tree, pine trees come with their own unique challenges that make them slightly more difficult to remove than other types of trees.

Branch Structures of Pine Trees

Unlike other trees such as deciduous hardwoods, young pine trees demonstrate remarkable organization from the start with a strong central leader and neat layers of branches that are held horizontally. As they expand, each row or layer of limbs transcribes around the circumference like a ring for an impressive overall visual appeal.

An alternate type of tree growth, known as “whorled,” is utilized to classify conifers and consists of fir (Abies), spruce (Picea), and cedars (Cedrus). While this particular branch structure does not have any disadvantages associated with it, its complexity makes climbing pine trees a lot more difficult. As you ascend up the trunk, you will likely encounter many branches that need to be pruned or navigated around in order for your journey upwards to continue.

Sap from Pine Trees

When you’re working with pine trees and cutting away its branches, sap is bound to be an issue. Whether it goes by the name of resin, gum or simply sap – this adhesive substance can be difficult to remove from any tree wound (including good pruning cuts). Dependent on seasonality, pine sap flow varies; in warmer months it flows continuously at a rapid pace whereas during colder seasons the movement slows down resulting in thicker viscosity.

Sticky pine sap sticks to saw blades and pruners, as well as chainsaws. This sticky residue can create a thick coating on the blade or chain which makes them difficult to use and decreases their effectiveness – even rendering them useless. Cleaning these tools often takes time and money, ultimately leading to costly delays in tree removal processes.

Sap’s adhesiveness is a magnet for dust and dirt, making it easily transferable to various surfaces like concrete, wood, rope, rigging connectors, boots and clothing. Moreover, sap can even wind up on protective gear such as eye protection glasses or hardhats!

For those tackling massive pine branches, powerful chippers and shredders will get the job done – however they require regular cleaning due to sap build-up. Smaller machines can easily become clogged by sappy debris. Of course, one thing is certain with any tree removal project involving pines – everyone ends up sticky from the oozing resin!

Note that pine sap may not be poisonous, but it can get into everything and is notoriously hard to remove. To eliminate the mess created by this sticky substance, you’ll need either rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover or vegetable oil depending on what type of surface has been exposed.

Hauling Big Branches

To minimize the amount of sap from a pine tree when cutting it down, make fewer thinning cuts and cut whole limbs where they attach to the trunk. This will help you remove branches quickly but keep in mind that those large branches are incredibly heavy due to their moisture-filled needles. You’ll have to drag them off (manually) for further chopping into smaller pieces before loading into a truck bed or feeding them through a chipper!

Brittle and Soft Wood

Unless a crane is accessible, trees must be scaled by capable climbers who utilize climbing spikes on the soles of their boots. This technique enables them to race up the tree being removed in no time at all – ever-mindful that for safety reasons these specialized cleats are not acceptable for use when cutting down an intact tree.

Although the softwood on pine trees is favorable for spiking, it also poses a risk. Spikes can easily rip through bark or slip down the trunk when not properly secured. Furthermore, branches tend to break while being cut due to the tree’s brittle wood, which puts climbers in jeopardy of possible injury from falling objects. All-in-all, climbing and removing pine trees requires vigilant care and caution as it can be both tricky and hazardous!

Need Some Help with Pine Tree Removal?

If you’ve concluded that taking down your pine tree is the way to go, don’t hesitate to call a professional! Our Clarence Tree Service has some of the most experienced crews for tackling any kind of removal job. We get it done quickly and safely – even if we are dripping in sap by the end – with utmost care and friendliness. So take advantage of our expertise today for safe and efficient pine tree removals!

We cover all the surrounding areas of Clarence, Buffalo, Amherst, Lancaster and other nearby locations and we would love to help!