Need to remove a lot of trees from new 3.5 acre lot

I need to clear space for a shop/RV garage, circular driveway extension (to get the RV in), and swimming pool. I need to remove about 60 trees from our new lot just purchased. Our newly purchased home sits in the middle of it - two trees (very large) near the house, one leaning over the house - hardwood. I know that one will be expensive.

95% pine - 12" to 24" - only a few over 20" but all very tall 60-80' -good pole trees.
5% oak and other hardwood mostly 4" to 10" except for that big one by the house.

Based on what I've found online for pricing, I'm looking at ~$20,000 to get them all removed, and that doesn't include stump grinding...I'm not sure about removal fees.

That guesstimate is based on a few sites that give per tree costs...so:

Question #1: Given that I have so many trees, does anyone know if there is a discount or hourly rate for multiple trees?

More to come...

 

Find a logger in your area with a feller buncher. Have them on the ground in a day. What you do with them after is up to you.

 

And my wife's family owns timber and knows some loggers. BUT::: she's kinda leary of using one of those near the house, and can those things take down 80' trees? The biggest one is 24" diameter and is unfortunately 8' from my house. The biggest hardwood is also very near. Can the feller buncher do that one?
Thank you! J

 

A good buncher operator shouldn't have a problem.
What about paying someone to do the trees near the house and you cut the others ? Likely save some serious coin

 

Welcome to AS James.
I'll come down there and take them all down for 20k, and that's charging extra for the pine, it get's my pretty saws dirty lol.
What may seem like a big job to you and even to me may seem like just another day for someone who does this type of work day in and day out. The saying "never let them see you sweat" comes to mind. You want the trees out, they want a paycheck, it's an interview for both of you to see if you can both come to an agreement on a price and the work you would like done. Also don't forget you have other companies to pick from, but they have other jabs to pick from, it goes both ways my friend.
I would not think that a stump grinder would be the best/most cost effective for most of these trees since you will be excavating at least a portion of the site. I have a friend who does lot clearing and the customer(mainly builders) usually lay out the lot and mark all the trees before he get's there, some just need felled and others ground, the felled only trees will be removed with the excavator/backhoe depending on the site and the need. If it's in a spot by the house you may want those ground as it disturbs the site/landscaping less, but it's probably not advisable/efficient where the pool, driveway extension and the shop will be.
This guy may know someone to @Laslabjohn .
Where do you live James.
Hope this helps,
Brett

 

$20k to cut 3 acres not counting removal...I'm working in the wrong region. Locally here on a building lot clear if all I'm doing is putting them on the ground and limbing and not a whole lot of technical rigging, or debris removal*limbs logs etc* etc I bill around $1.5-2k plus tax an acre that's wood over 1inch on the ground,limbed out, limbs left where they lay and logs draged to a semi neat pile. Excavator usually will crush and or bury the debris/slash as they go through the site working the build.

 

Thanks for the input - we decided to go with a local guy we've used before and just take down a few critical trees. The price dropped a lot when we told him we want to just leave the trees and not haul off - firewood from the small hardwood, and I'm looking at building a CSM for the pine and the one big hardwood.

 

3.5 acre lot? Consider machine options since you have the space to simply pull the trees over.
almost 50 years ago (when much younger) needed to clear 2 acres of road to get to my 3 acre building site. Mostly 80 ft alder and 100ft + 2nd growth DFir.
Lowest cost figured to be buy a used dozer (got a used D2 for $1000, 1971 $) and 400 ft of 5/8" used (self inspected) wire rope and good block.
Pulled everything needed over, and D2 could roll all the pulled stumps out also once cut loose from rest of tree. Sold Dozer 15 years later for $2500. Able to use dozer to dig 2000 sq ft 8 ft deep basement also.
Used the DFir trunks for beams in the house we built.

Another option is to rent a big excavator - young engineer at work recently did this, had no problem even though he had not operated one before.

 

Good morning Art.
Your a couple yrs late on the reply .

 

Don't let the thread reply date get in the way of some good solid advice...even if the OP hasn't checked in in a year & a half.

 

Some of the best advice I've gotten was yrs after I needed it .

 

Oh well, us old farts don't always pay attention to the date, time drifts by these days, eh.
Do wonder how that thread was the top of the list. must have hit some crazy thread 'list order' button by accident/

 

Its all good, I did take note of your age before responding lol.

 

I would love to do this.
Wish I lived closer.

I love taking pines down and rarely get to cause so few here. They are quick and easy.

Prrsonally I would hire a guy to top down them.
Then give the poles or big wood away and rent a chipper for the limbs and just blow it into a pile for mulch wherever you want it.

 

Awww dammit I was two years too late

 

Doesn't look like you'll be using old age as an excuse .

 

Its worse... I was tricked by an old man.

 

If I may say so, might not be the last time that happens. Old dudes use brains, not muscle.

 

Old age and treachery will overcome youth and strength.

 

My father said I could work smart or work hard. Been bustin my ass ever since.