If you have a 0ak tree you wish to trim, one thing you’ll need to figure out is the trimming rules as applied to your community and the cost involved.
Whether you wish to trim or hollow out completely, the project costs will play a big role.
This is where we come in, as we seek to show you the cost implications for such projects. More importantly, you should be preoccupied with how well the job goes.
This even comes first, before the cost, as it will tend to be a hindrance to the attainment of the desired goal of paying little for an inferior trimming job.
Oak trees, you will notice, need some form of trimming from time to time, keep them out of electric lines, and of building structures, also to maintain a good form and good health.
The price of trimming an oak tree is dependent on the size of your tree.
Can Exact Cost be Determined for Trimming an Oak tree?
A wide range of variables come into play when you consider trimming an oak tree. It is however worthy to state that all the costs included here are only estimations not the actual amount.
This is because no definite amount can be given for a job, as the nature and size of the tree to be trimmed will determine your eventual costs.
Oak Tree Trimming Rules and Guidelines
Consulting an arborist is your first point of consideration as he/she is a specialist and an expert in the care and maintenance of trees.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI A300) for tree pruning and trimming, recommends the use of certain tools, cutting edge techniques, and pruning methods to be followed and they also set the standard for arborists to work by.
Mostly, if not all cities have their tree removal, trimming, and pruning ordinances that have rules and regulations regarding tree management.
You will do well to consult that which applies to your city, to avoid embarrassment, penalties, and further sanctions.
There’s an interplay of varying reasons as to why you trim your tree. However, there are generally three major reasons for trimming an oak tree: aesthetics, safety, or health reasons.
These three reasons, therefore, compose the rules of trimming an oak tree.
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Aesthetics Reasons
Trimming a tree helps in maintaining effectively its shape and appearance.
However, in trying to achieve that, you shouldn’t try imposing on the tree an unnatural appearance, size, or shape. This will lead to unrepairable damage to the tree.
When you properly trim your oak tree, it will save you more money and also offer a safer, and healthier, beautiful, and easy-to-maintain tree and environment.
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Safety Reasons
You might sometimes notice dead and broken branches or limbs fall off anytime which poses a serious safety hazard. You trim off your tree when you observe that branches obstruct your view while driving.
Also, tall tree branches tend to grow towards utility lines (electricity and telephone lines), you need to contact the necessary authorities as soon as such occurs.
One of the common mistakes mostly encountered is removing too many branches which might impact the growth rate of the tree.
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Health Reasons
It is highly beneficial to health when trees are strategically pruned to improve airflow, away from infected tree branches.
Trimming regularly helps in checking for disease-infected branches and totally cut off to avoid further spread which will be detrimental and hazardous to health.
Highlighted below, are some other rules you should adhere to when trimming your oak tree:
- Trim with a good reason.
- Remove any more than 25 percent foliage during the growing season.
- Trim within 9 feet of a utility line.
- Use climbing spikes where necessary.
- Strip out inner foliage and branches for a clean appearance.
- Oak trimming is best done during a dormant season.
- Be conscientious about the size of the branch.
- Be mindful to trim branches that seem weak, v-shaped, and have narrow angles.
- Don’t trim branches too close or too long.
How Much Does Oak Tree Trimming Cost?
Trimming your oak tree is solely aimed at keeping an attractive landscape, removing dead and or broken limbs, keeping a healthy tree and environment. This, however, does not go without incurring a little expense.
The cost of oak tree removal and trimming is however depends on the size, location, and capacity of the tree in question. The bigger the size of the tree, the more cost of labor will be required.
Location, for most trimming jobs, client location counts as regards cost, the closer your location, the lesser cost likely incurred.
The national average cost in trimming an Oak tree goes from around $637 to $1,000. In terms of Oaktree size, trimming costs may vary widely or slightly. Size can be categorized into small, medium, and large sizes.
Let’s take a look at these size categories and how much they cost.
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Trimming a Small Oak Tree (1ft to 10ft)
You are advised, to trim your oak tree at least, twice or more during the first 5 years after you plant it. This ensures it retains a good branch structure and shape.
However, the price of trimming small oak trees of this size ranges from $125 to $250.
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Trimming Medium Oak Tree (10ft to 20ft)
While the medium Oak trees (10ft to 20ft) will cost you $250 to $950 to trim.
At this juvenile stage, you will need to consider the removal of lower branches. You should consider, however, the services of an arborist rather than a gardener as an arborist is an expert and specialist in this field.
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Trimming Large Oak Tree (20ft to 50ft)
For the larger oak trees (25ft to 50ft), it will cost you around $950 to $1700 to trim. An oak tree of this size and magnitude would best be maintained by the removal of disease-infested branches and deadwood.
The determinant of the regularity of trimming an oak tree is on how fast it grows and its surroundings. You will notice slower growth rates in areas with less rainfall and dry climates.
It is however at your disposal to explore regularly trimming your oak tree, though, shouldn’t be done at the expense of quality and safety.