Old trees, old houses, tight lots
The historic parts of Columbia were laid out long before anyone planned for bucket trucks. Lots are narrow, houses sit close to the street and to each other, and many have outbuildings, stone walls, old brick walks and detached garages under the canopy. A mature tree here is usually surrounded by things that are hard or impossible to replace, so most removals are done in pieces, each lowered on ropes, and sometimes lifted out by crane over the house.
Historic districts and review
Columbia has locally designated historic districts, and exterior changes to properties in them go through design review. Whether removing a tree needs a review depends on the district's rules, so check with the city planning office before you schedule. Trees between the sidewalk and the street may also fall under the city's right-of-way rules; ask the city about those too.
The trees you find here
Oaks
White, red and shumard oaks can live for centuries when their roots are left alone. The problems start when decades of sidewalk repairs, sewer replacements, driveway widenings and additions cut through the root zone. A big oak with dieback in the top, fungus at the base or a new lean should be looked at by a pro. Often it can be kept with careful pruning; sometimes it has to go.
Hackberries and elms
Many old-town hackberries seeded themselves along fences and alleys and grew into large trees nobody planted on purpose. They are prone to decay and to dropping heavy limbs as they age. See dead and hazard tree removal for the warning signs.
Sugar maples
Old sugar maples give the historic streets their fall color. Big ones often carry hidden decay from old pruning wounds or storm breaks, and a cavity at the base deserves a professional look.
Ash
Mature ash trees in older yards are being killed by emerald ash borer. A dead ash over an old slate or tin roof is a serious hazard, and dead ash gets more brittle every season. Read the ash borer guide.
Protecting the rest of the property
Old properties need extra care during tree work. Ask the pro how they will:
- Protect brick walks, stone walls and old driveways from heavy equipment (plywood, mats or hand work)
- Keep the root zones of neighboring trees you want to keep from being compacted
- Avoid shallow utility lines, including old clay sewer laterals that are common in older neighborhoods
- Lower wood away from slate, tin or other hard-to-replace roofing
Wires on old streets
Older neighborhoods usually have overhead lines running along the streets and alleys, often right through big tree canopies. In the city, that is usually Columbia Power & Water Systems. The utility looks after trimming around its own lines, and a tree near the line to your house should be discussed with the utility before anyone cuts. Read trees near power lines.
Stumps in old yards
Grinding a big old stump in a historic yard often turns up surprises: brick, stone, old fence posts and buried lines. Limestone close to the surface can limit how deep the grinder goes. See stump grinding for what to expect.
Cost
Large trees over old homes on tight lots are among the most expensive tree jobs, because nearly every piece has to be roped down or craned out. Ask for the plan in writing and compare estimates line by line; the cost guide explains what drives the number.