Large tree needs to be cut down

Call a tree service company that has arborists

Even if the tree is damaged you may need an arborist report just in case, and the person any tree service sends out to give you a quote is likely an arborist anyway

FYI ... Your Son got it right
Call an Arborist Tree Service
They are Tree Specialists
They are degreed in forestry health & management
Some call them “Tree Doctors”
Cuz they do similar things
Recommend how to have a healthy life
Solve small problems
Or do amputations ... even end of life prep (like tree removal )

Big tree ... probably gonna cost you $ 1000 or more to have it properly removed
They may have someone climb the tree to top it
And remove branches
Or if it’s accessible, they’ll work with a cherry picker / truck & bucket
Very specialized work
Hence why it’s not cheap

But the right firm will cut & haul away
As well as do stump removal
And even advise you on next steps in revitalizing your remaining landscape
Big void now ... plant XYZ, so far apart etc
(Called planning for future growth ... I’d say over 75% of trees that meet the chopping block do so cuz they were the wrong tree, or the wrong spot ... followed by poor upkeep etc )

Get at least two estimates

I used "Man with an Axe" for a small'ish tree. It was one of the best priced ones.

Large trees have to be taken down by someone climbing them and cutting pieces off; this is a high-risk operation with a lot of associated liability.

If the tree is too far gone to climb safely, the tree service company will need to bring in a bucket truck or a crane, either of which will be extremely expensive.

This is the kind of job that you definitely want to get multiple quotes, check references, and and confirm the company's insurance before signing a contract.

It will be expensive, no doubt about that. Get quotes and check if they have valid insurance.

Like has been mentioned, major liability involved for the crew and also for any potential damage of adjoining property.

First question is....where is this tree? If it's in the front yard it might be city tree (I think it's called a road or street allowance) which means you can call 311 and get them to check it and OK removal - in fact they might be paying to remove it even.

If it's a backyard tree....it's probably your responsibility. Having said that you still need permission to remove a large tree. A real arborist should know how it works.

[email protected] Thanks! I have spoken to the city about the tree and it is not on city property, unfortunately. And the tree is high. When I look at it from the second floor window I can barely see the top of it.

[email protected] Thank you so much. Great advice from everyone. Tree is facing the street, it's located just inside the fence. Few feet closer to the street and would have been on city property. Sigh! Also there is no need for replacement. I planted Kentucky coffee tree which is native of the Carolinian forest, maybe 12 years ago, lovely to look at, has nice foliage.

[email protected] I looked up the company you suggested and customers were very pleased with their service. Thank you, I'll contact them.

serbianbelle wrote: ↑ [email protected] Thanks! I have spoken to the city about the tree and it is not on city property, unfortunately. And the tree is high. When I look at it from the second floor window I can barely see the top of it.

Regardless of who's property it is on, you need the city's OK to remove the tree. It doesn't matter who pays for it or who owns the tree in Toronto. They need to send their arborist out, confirm it is dead or dying or diseased and should be removed. Then you can remove it.

Here's my dying elm removed from our back yard 8 years ago. My tree, my $2500 bill, but the city had to OK it.

[email protected] Sorry to let you know company you suggested hasn't responded to my message. They had very good references. I had hoped to hear from them soon. I'll try calling one more time!

torontotim wrote: ↑ Regardless of who's property it is on, you need the city's OK to remove the tree. It doesn't matter who pays for it or who owns the tree in Toronto. They need to send their arborist out, confirm it is dead or dying or diseased and should be removed. Then you can remove it.

Here's my dying elm removed from our back yard 8 years ago. My tree, my $2500 bill, but the city had to OK it.

F that noise, I don't have that kind of money to waste. I already had a chainsaw, rope, ladder and called a buddy over to help. Had a 20 foot tree down to a stump, with all branches, trunk dumped with his truck to the landfill. Cost was a day's work.

serbianbelle wrote: ↑ Large tree that is hollow inside, bark is coming off and it's splitting needs to be cut down and removed. Don't even know who to call and with the size of the tree I can imagine something like this will be quite expensive. MY son suggested I call arborist, I'm not trying to save it, need to remove it before it falls to prevent damage to anything around.

Depending on location, if there's tree preservation bylaws (most urban municipalities will have one), you will need an arborist to certify the tree is diseased/dead and removed regardless of who does the removal

Gibsons wrote: ↑ F that noise, I don't have that kind of money to waste. I already had a chainsaw, rope, ladder and called a buddy over to help. Had a 20 foot tree down to a stump, with all branches, trunk dumped with his truck to the landfill. Cost was a day's work.

Ooooooh - big man with a chainsaw.

torontotim wrote: ↑ Ooooooh - big man with a chainsaw.

And $2500 still in my pocket, this is RFD after all.

Do you take your car to the mechanic to change your wiper blades too?

I took out 100ft of hedge by myself including an aluminum fence/posts and all, with hand tools and a hi-lift jack with chain - roots and all. When you have manpower, there's a way. I work too hard for my money to throw it away.

Gibsons wrote: ↑ And $2500 still in my pocket, this is RFD after all.

Do you take your car to the mechanic to change your wiper blades too?

I took out 100ft of hedge by myself including an aluminum fence/posts and all, with hand tools and a hi-lift jack with chain - roots and all. When you have manpower, there's a way. I work too hard for my money to throw it away.

I earn enough money to use it where it makes sense.

I've renovated 3 houses, two of which I currently own and done most of the work myself. From demo and hauling 20 cu yards of material out of my main floor to plumbing and electrical and pushing 5,000 sq ft of hardwood flooring installed, building bunkies, removing and installing new shingles etc. etc. etc.

That and yeah, I install my own wiper blades along with rebuilding motorcycles from the nuts and bolts up including full motor rebuilds, top and bottom end. Build my own docks at the cottage, do my own landscaping and these days cut my own hair.

Removing a 30-40 foot high diseased elm tree with large branches spanning 5 properties in a back lane of Toronto with only one exit? Not something for a dude with a buddy, a chainsaw and a 6 pack.

LOL you and your 100 foot hedge.

Gibsons wrote: ↑ Had a 20 foot tree down to a stump, with all branches, trunk dumped with his truck to the landfill.

Good for you, but honestly a 20 foot tree is a pretty small tree...

brianl999 wrote: ↑ Good for you, but honestly a 20 foot tree is a pretty small tree...

It's not like the OP has said how tall or wide there's is... if it was 40ft, I would have found a way to do it myself.