Tree trimming

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

We have two trees on the sidewalk in front of our house. They have grown a lot over the years, and now they need trimming since the branches are hitting the power lines. Does anyone know whether we can call any trimming service we like? Do we have to call the city or need any permission? Does the city have to take care of it? If not, can the expense be deducted from MA or Fed taxes?... Anyone else with this problem?

Comments

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

Hey, I actually do know this one!

You can have your trees trimmed by either the city or by NSTAR.
They city will trim them if the branches hang too low over public walkways or parking, or if a large limb has been broken by a storm and hangs in a dangerous way. The city will try to trim the tree carefully and minimally. You can call 311 and describe the situation, and they'll send someone to take a look and put you in queue.

NSTAR will come out if you say the tree is interfering with powerlines. They will do one of those aggressive cut-backs you see, where either they take off nearly half the tree, or they cut a huge "v" down the middle. Or, at least, the city tree guys I talked to had what sounded like rather low opinions of the NSTAR guys' trimming care.

I don't know enough about trees, though, to know if this is a good time of year, from the perspective of the tree health.

Great. I'd prefer if the city took care of it...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

One less thing to worry about.

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

Someone who lives around the corner from me tried to do his own tree trimming and was fined a couple of thousand dollars for this. I strongly suggest you call the city.

Wow. I would not know how to do it, anyway.

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

And it seems fair that the city should take care of this, since they planted it (and we get rid of the leaves every Fall).

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

The city came last summer to trim the tree in front of my house and when I got home from work it seriously looked like I live on an island with a personal palm tree. They seriously cut and hacked over 75% of the tree down. My neighbor said he watched as they did it and couldnt believe they kept trimming.

I would suggest being home when they come to do it.

LOL! I wonder if we have a say in how much they trim...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Probably they want to minimize the number of times they have to do it and trim as much as they can when they do it. Fine by me.

Re: LOL! I wonder if we have a say in how much they trim...

[masswich.livejournal.com]

Except that too much trimming can traumatize a tree and kill it.

I'd be very careful about hoping the City trims the tree (if you like it). I have mostly seen them take the cheap and easy way out and either just chop it down or butcher it. When they redid the street I used to live on they took down 6 or so of the 8 mature trees (one because the owner of the house behind it asked them to, not because it needed it.) They replaced some of the trees. Then one tree which was poorly supported while the sidewalks were out fell down - not fatally, just tipped over in the wind with its root ball intact. Rather than put it upright they just hauled it away and it took some asking to get it replaced. Then the replacement tree died because it wasn't watered. And so on.

I hope this city starts to think about street trees as a quality of life and tax base issue rather than something only hippies care about...

Re: LOL! I wonder if we have a say in how much they trim...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

They planted a bunch of trees along SOmerville Ave, near Porter Sq... THey are still small, but I hope they grow fast because in the Summer that part of town gets really hot.

Related question

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

I have a tree that's definitely not owned by the city (between three properties, not sure whose it is.)
(I believe it's a linden)

Anyone recommend a landscaping company to trim the tree?

Re: Related question

[janusirsasana.livejournal.com]

I used Barrett Tree Service East, Inc. last fall for an overgrown tree in my backyard. Can't say how the cost would compare to other tree services, but I thought they did a good job.

Re: Related question

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

Re: Related question

[hiddenbear.livejournal.com]

I've been happy with Tom Bringolo - 978-764-2087. They've been prompt and I've always felt the prices were reasonable. They also once suggested I have them remove less than I first requested, despite it losing them money, because they felt the tree was healthy and useful.

Re: Related question

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

Thanks!