By the JCS Tree Care team · Led by an ISA Certified Arborist · Updated June 2026
The short version: Trimming a small branch or clearing brush is reasonable DIY. Taking down a large tree — especially one that’s leaning, dead, or close to a house or power lines — is not. Big trees store enormous weight and energy, and when a cut goes wrong, the result is fast and unforgiving. The same risks make a cheap, uninsured crew a gamble. For large or risky trees, an insured, properly equipped crew is both the safe choice and usually the cheaper one once you account for what can go wrong. Not sure where your tree falls? Get a free assessment, or call (248) 965-9035.
Where the DIY line is
Reasonable to handle yourself: small branches within easy reach, light brush, and minor cleanup at ground level. Worth hiring out: anything that involves climbing, a chainsaw above shoulder height, a ladder, a tree near a structure or line, or a trunk too big to control by hand. The moment a falling piece could hit a person, a building, or a wire, it’s no longer a DIY job.
What makes big-tree removal so dangerous
- Weight and stored energy. A large limb or trunk section weighs hundreds to thousands of pounds and falls faster than you can react.
- Unpredictable cuts. Trees under tension — leaning, partially failed, or storm-damaged — can split, kick back, or barber-chair when cut, moving in directions that surprise even experienced cutters.
- Height. Most serious tree-work injuries involve falls or being struck while off the ground.
- Power lines. Contact with an energized line is frequently fatal. This is never DIY.
- Chainsaw risk. Kickback and fatigue cause severe injuries even at ground level.
These aren’t hypotheticals — falls and struck-by injuries make tree work one of the more dangerous jobs there is, and homeowners attempting large removals get hurt every year.
Why a cheap or uninsured crew is a different version of the same risk
A lowball crew often cuts the same corners a DIYer would — no proper rigging, no crane where one’s needed, and critically, no insurance. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, or their mistake damages your home or a neighbor’s, the liability can land on you. Always confirm liability and workers’ compensation coverage before anyone climbs a tree on your property.
The safer (and often cheaper) path
For a large or risky tree, an insured crew with the right rigging and, when needed, coordinated crane support does the job in a fraction of the time and without betting your house on it. JCS is fully insured, BBB A+ rated, a TCIA member, and led by an ISA Certified Arborist who plans each removal before work starts. The cost of doing it right is almost always less than the cost of a removal gone wrong.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remove a large tree myself?
It’s strongly discouraged. Large, leaning, dead, or near-structure trees carry serious risk of injury and property damage and should be handled by an insured, equipped crew.
Is it safe to cut a tree near a power line?
No. Treat any tree near or touching a line as an electrical hazard and call your utility. This is never a DIY job.
What should I check before hiring a tree company?
Proof of liability and workers’ compensation insurance, relevant credentials (ISA Certified Arborist, TCIA), a solid review record, and a clear written estimate.
Why is the cheapest quote risky?
A lowball price often means missing insurance or equipment. If something goes wrong, the cost of the damage far exceeds what you saved.
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