Tree Removal Service SOP

Purpose

Standardize residential tree removal. Highest-risk + highest-revenue service in the trade - a 60 ft tree over a house earns but kills crews who skip steps. This SOP exists to keep crews + customers + the house alive.

Scope

Residential standing tree removal up to 80 ft. Excludes utility line work (refer to utility-certified crew), hazard trees mid-collapse (call structural engineer first), tree-on-house emergency (separate Storm Response SOP).

Prerequisites

• ISA Certified Arborist on site (recommended; many states require for over-30 ft removals)
• Two climbers OR one climber + aerial lift access
• Ground crew minimum 3 - drop zone watcher, ropes person, chipper feed
• Climbing gear (saddle, lanyards, ropes 1/2"-5/8" arborist line)
• Spurs/gaffs (OK on removals; not pruning)
• Chainsaws: top-handle 14" for in-tree, 18"-24" rear-handle for ground
• Wedges (felling + bucking)
• Felling rope + rigging gear (block + pulley, false crotch, friction device)
• Hard hats with face shields + chinstraps, chainsaw chaps, hearing, steel-toe boots
• Aerial lift, crane, or rigging plan for high-risk drops
• First-aid + AED + trauma kit on truck
• Two-way radios for crews > 50 ft tall trees

Method selection

Three approaches; pick by site:

Fell whole (best when space allows): standard felling cut, tree falls in one piece. Needs 1.5x the tree height of clear drop zone. Lowest cost ( typical small lot).

Section drop (most common in residential): climber sections the tree top-down; sections fall to a clear drop zone. Mid cost ().

Crane-assisted: each section lifted by crane; no free-fall. Highest control, highest cost (). Used for trees over structures or with extensive defects.

Procedure (section-drop, typical residential)

Step 1: Pre-work assessment

1. Walk the entire site: drop zone, escape routes, overhead lines, underground utilities (call 811 if any ground work)
2. Inspect tree for defects: cavities, cracks, lean direction, root plate movement, included bark, dead leaders
3. Identify species (some species fail unpredictably - silver maple, Bradford pear, willow)
4. Photograph existing conditions before any cuts
5. Confirm permits if required (many municipalities require removal permits for trees > 6" DBH on private property)
6. Verify written customer authorization including responsibility for fence/lawn damage where unavoidable

Step 2: Crew brief

1. Each crew member's role + position
2. Drop zone marked + barriered
3. Communication: radios on channel X, shouted "headache!" for falling section, "all clear" before each cut
4. Escape route for climber + ground crew
5. PPE check
6. Emergency plan (911 location, AED location, nearest hospital ETA)

Step 3: Establish climber + rigging

1. Climbing line set high in solid wood (not deadwood)
2. Two-rope per ANSI Z133
3. Rigging line + friction device set on a separate solid anchor
4. Block + pulley positioned for the day's cuts
5. Ground crew tested on the rigging line before climber cuts

Step 4: Top down, section by section

For each section:

1. Climber sets rigging on section
2. Notch cut on the underside (1/3 diameter)
3. Back cut from top, leaving hinge wood
4. Section is lowered (not free-dropped) by ground crew on rigging line
5. Ground crew limbs + bucks for chipper
6. Climber descends to next position OR remains tied in for next section

Step 5: Drop final spar

After all major limbs are off:

1. Notch cut on the felling-direction side, 1/4 to 1/3 diameter, angle 70 degrees
2. Back cut from opposite side, 1-2" above notch base, stop 10% diameter short of notch - leave hinge wood
3. Drive wedges if needed to direct fall
4. Climber + all crew clear drop zone
5. Watch for kickback + barber-chair (split trunk)

Step 6: Buck + clear

1. Limb the felled trunk
2. Buck to chipper-feedable lengths (4-6 ft) OR firewood lengths if customer keeps wood
3. Stack chipper-bound piles by drop zone
4. Chip + haul or stack
5. Sweep + rake site

Step 7: Stump

Quote stump grinding separately (typical diameter inch). Grind 6"-12" below grade. Backfill with topsoil + seed.

Acceptance criteria

• Tree fully removed
• No structural damage to property
• Drop zone restored (rake, sweep)
• Stump per customer scope (left, ground, ground + filled)
• Customer signed completion + has photos
• Permit closed if required

Common pitfalls

• No drop zone walk: limb hits car or fence
• Skipping defect inspection: tree fails unpredictably mid-cut
• One-rope climbing: ANSI Z133 violation; insurance void
• Bar-pinch from incomplete notch: kickback injury
• Free-dropping over structures: predictable disaster
• Spurs left on for crane work: unnecessary; use a lift if available
• Working in wind > 25 mph sustained: dangerous; reschedule
• Skipping permit: municipal fine + customer mad
• No written damage authorization: customer disputes fence damage from unavoidable contact

Safety considerations

• Two-rope climbing system on EVERY climb
• Drop zone twice the section length
• Escape routes for climber + ground identified before each cut
• No alcohol or impairment - chainsaws + heights are not forgiving
• Daily chainsaw maintenance (chain, bar oil, chain brake test)
• AED + trauma kit on truck, located + tested daily
• First-aid trained ground person on every job
• Call 911 immediately for ANY chainsaw cut, fall, or struck-by injury

References

• ANSI Z133 Safety standard for tree-care operations
• ANSI A300 (Part 3) Supplemental Support Systems (cabling)
• OSHA 1910.266 + 1910.268 logging + utility line work
• TCIA (Tree Care Industry Association) Best Practices
• Manuall internal: Tree Pruning Service SOP, Storm Response and Emergency Tree Service SOP, Tree Climbing Safety Reference