Tree Removal Services in Connecticut

Using a crane for tree removals is often faster and safer than other options. In some situations, such as a tree that is close to a building, power line, or other trees, it is the only realistic option.

Using a crane can help us:

• Remove tall(er) trees
• Reach otherwise inaccessible areas
• Complete the removal faster than by other methods
• Keep everyone safe

When using a crane, the tree doesn’t have to fall over (like when a tree is felled) or be cut apart in pieces, lowered to the ground, and then carried away piece by piece. Instead, the tree is lifted out of the area vertically (one piece at a time). The ground crew then cuts the tree into logs and smaller pieces and uses a chipper to break down the branches into wood chips.

No. Some smaller trees would not benefit from the use of a crane during a removal job. We also won’t use a crane in situations where there’s something obstructing access or where there’s no stable ground on which to position the crane. But in most cases, we will use a crane or our crane-mounted grapple saw for tree removals.

See our other tree removal options >> 

We make every effort not to damage your property during a tree removal. However, the pieces from a large tree can be extremely heavy, so there are sometimes divots made to your lawn during the process. We take great care to avoid damage to your lawn or other surfaces by placing special weight-distributing mats under our equipment. 

If the tree removal is on a particularly muddy day, the lawn may sustain more damage. The crane should not cause any damage to your driveway, and actually prevents a lot of damage that can occur during other types of tree removals.

Because tree removals using a crane can often be completed more quickly and in a way that is safer to all involved, tree removals using a crane may be less expensive. However, it depends how many people are needed for the crew, the size of the tree(s) being removed, how many trees are being removed, how difficult the removal may be, and other aspects. This is why we schedule an in-person tree inspection beforehand.

Learn more about what goes into the cost of tree removals >> 

We will tell you beforehand what steps to take, but in general, we recommend that you:

• Remove any vehicles from the driveway and/or street where we will park and use our trucks and equipment
• Move any lawn furniture or outdoor items from the area
• Let your neighbors know that we will be coming – our equipment can take up a lot of room and tree removal is not a quiet job!
• Make sure nothing is hanging from the tree like a birdhouse, swing, etc.
• Bring all animals indoors
• Option: Call Before You Dig (call 811) to get underground utility lines marked, especially if we’ll also be grinding the tree stump

Much of tree removal is the planning that takes place beforehand. The Rayzor’s Edge crew will take some time planning exactly how to remove the tree and setting up the equipment, which includes stabilizing the crane.

Depending on which crane is being used and the health of the tree, either a climber will climb the tree and work with the crane operator to remove sections of the tree piece by piece, or the grapple saw will remove the tree in sections by a sophisticated remote-controlled system.

See more FAQs on what to expect >> 

Currently, we have two cranes:

The Palfinger 65002 Knuckleboom Crane is a 65 metric ton crane that uses a grapple saw to remotely cut branches. It can reach 106 feet high or, when the boom is extended away from the truck, 96 feet high.

The Grove 4100L Stick Crane is a 100 metric ton crane. It is capable of reaching 196 feet high, or 170 feet high when it is extended away from the truck.

How far a crane can reach depends not only on the size of the crane, but also on the weight of the tree being removed and how far away it is from the crane. The heavier the tree parts, the closer the crane needs to be to the tree. The boom cannot be overextended or the crane may tip! There are a lot of physics involved in using a crane.

Maybe. Sometimes that is the best way to remove a tree. The crane may be parked in front of the house when cutting down a tree in the backyard, for instance. But don’t worry! The tree parts are very securely fastened before they are moved.