Crane-Assisted Tree Removal

Crane-assisted removal uses a crane to lift cut sections of a tree up and out of the work area instead of dropping or lowering them through the canopy. For large or hazardous trees in tight spots, it is very often the safest and least destructive way to get the tree down. PV Tree Service owns and operates this equipment, which is a large part of why we can take on jobs other crews in the area turn down.

When is a crane the right call?

  • Large trees directly over a house, garage, barn, or shed
  • Trees near power lines, service drops, or utility equipment
  • Dead or decayed trees that are unsafe for a climber to work in
  • Trees in fenced back yards, over septic systems, or surrounded by landscaping you do not want crushed
  • Storm-damaged trees under tension, where cutting in the wrong order is dangerous
  • Tight village lots and older neighborhoods where there is simply nowhere to drop wood

Why not just climb it?

Conventional climbing removal is a fine method for a healthy tree with room around it. But a climber has to be in the tree, and a decayed or storm-damaged tree may not be structurally sound enough to support that safely. A crane keeps the climber out of the failure path, removes weight in controlled picks, and sets each section down in a chosen location rather than sending it through the canopy.

Does a crane damage the lawn?

A crane needs a stable setup location and outrigger pads, and on soft ground that can leave impressions. We plan placement during the estimate, use matting or pads where it makes sense, and tell you honestly up front what to expect. In most cases the alternative, dropping large wood across the yard, does considerably more damage.

Is crane removal more expensive?

The hourly cost of running a crane is higher, but crane jobs are usually much faster, and the total cost is frequently comparable to a slow, heavily rigged climbing removal. On a tree over a structure, the relevant comparison is not crane versus climbing, it is crane versus the risk of a limb going through a roof.

Get a free estimate

Call (413) 522-2117 or request an on-site estimate. Send a photo of the tree and its surroundings if you can, it helps us plan.