Frequently Asked Questions

 Many concerns arise when deciding whether or not to cut down a tree. It is understandable that the cost of cutting down a tree could be a stressor for clients who aren't informed of the many factors involved during this type of service and do not want to fall victim to unfair pricing. Berks County and the surrounding areas of Pennsylvania have many issues that have high influence on the price decided when charging for a tree removal service. To oversimplify the process, it comes down to how long it will take to complete the job safely and the level of equipment and expertise is required. I'll break down a few of the primary factors that are considered when we are putting a price on items listed on a work proposal.  Due to the immense complexities of tree work, it is very difficult to list actual prices. Although it seems like a lower price is a “good deal” on such a demanding service, be aware that not every tree service company has the proper experience and ability to perform such tasks in a safe and effective way. If you hire a company that does not have insurance, you are putting yourself at a HUGE financial risk, and saving a couple bucks on the tree can cost you thousands in any possible damages that they create. If you are serious about any tree work you want done, Seidel’s Tree Service is fully insured, and offers FREE ESTIMATES to the greater Reading area. Also, before committing to removing your tree, consider reading why you might want to save your tree on our Helpful Articles page.  

1. Location. Location. Location.  I have this listed as number one, three times because of it’s importance. A tree that is planted a few feet from a sidewalk on the front lawn in a flat yard is very easily accessed, therefore making the job quicker and ultimately lowering the cost of the tree. On the opposite side of the spectrum, if the tree is in the back of the property down a steep hill surrounded by beautiful, fragile and expensive landscaping through a narrow walkway, it creates very difficult work positioning. This scenario requires much more time, equipment, a higher skillset, and a much greater risk of damage.  At Seidel’s Tree Service, we have gone over 30 years without an insurance claim.  We do everything possible to stack the odds in our favor in preventing any and all property damage.  When the job requires working around many obstacles, it slows down progress and inevitably adds to the price of the job.  

2. Size of tree.  Obviously a young tree that is 6 inches in trunk diameter is much faster and easier to handle than a mature 40 inch tree.  Larger trees mean more material to handle.  This means more heavy wood to remove, and more branches to process. Large trees typically require specialized trucks and equipment to handle the heavy trunk of the tree, which adds to the price of the job.

3. Hazards.  Hazards are objects or situations that put the arborist in danger. This includes but is not limited to: electric lines, street traffic, surrounding terrain, bees, poison ivy, and structural defects in the tree. Safety is ALWAYS the number one priority at Seidel’s Tree Service, and if the job has a lot of hazards we must deal with them accordingly. The tree must be handled with much more care when surrounded with hazards. This can create a scenario that requires using added safety measures (inevitably slowing progress) to make sure everyone can go home safely to their family at the end of the day.  

4. Acceptable damage/cleanup.  In many cases while doing residential tree work, it is impossible to simply walk up to a tree and cut it down.  There are usually obstacles such as houses, fences, landscaping and surrounding trees/shrubs.  If the homeowner does not care if there are dents left in the yard from dropping large branches/chunks of wood, the tree will be cheaper to remove because it saves the arborist time spent using ropes to lower heavy pieces of tree. Also, in the scenario where the homeowner doesn’t mind a more messier environment at the end of a tree cutting job, it saves us the time it takes to rake the yard, which is money saved for the customer.  If we are cutting down a tree and everything can stay where it falls, it requires fewer pieces of equipment and saves us the time of using said equipment. 

5. Stump removal.  The cost of removing a stump increases with the size of the stump.  If you want the stump removed, you have the option of grinding the stump low enough to plant grass (12” below grade) or low enough to replant a tree in the same location, which typically requires total removal of the stump. Stump grindings also include removal of surface roots.  In addition to the stump grinding, the removal of stump much, adding topsoil, replanting, and reseeding are all recommended options available.

6. Bundling. Similar to insurance commercials, you can save big on your job if you bundle many items together.  When you bundle, you are essentially saving on wasteful drive time. We would prefer to work on one property all day than do 4 separate jobs throughout the day. In the case that you only have a few small items at your property, we recommend that you talk with neighbors about work they might have for us.  When we can chain jobs together it benefits us, and we can offer a better price for the convenience.