Independent homeowner planning guide. Not a tree-care contractor. No crew matching, bookings, quotes or enquiries are available through this website.
Separate the work
Standing or partly suspended tree
This needs tree-removal or storm-damage assessment, not ordinary wood pickup. Stay clear of unstable trees.
Wood on the ground
Describe whether it is a trunk, large sections, branches or a mixture, and whether it is in the yard or at the curb. Do not move unstable wood for a quote.
Stump remaining
Ask separately about stump grinding, chips, filling and restoration. Do not assume haul-away includes this.
A fallen tree or a tree cut down earlier can leave a separate cleanup job. Before asking for a price, be clear about what is on the ground and what you want removed.
Use the same scope for each provider
- Describe the amount of wood as best you can from a safe distance. If you do not know the tree species or size, say so.
- Explain access: gates, fences, slope, nearby structures and whether equipment can reach the wood. Do not promise access across a neighbor’s property.
- State the end result: all wood removed, branches chipped, chips left or removed, and any lawn or driveway cleanup expected.
- Ask what is excluded, whether any cutting is needed, who handles required permissions, and how the site will be protected.
- Request a written scope and total, and ask about current insurance and relevant credentials. Compare the same work, not the headline price alone.
A short description you can reuse
Example only: I need wood hauled away in Grand Rapids. The tree is already down. There is one large trunk and a pile of branches in the backyard. Access is through a fenced gate. I want all wood and branches removed; stump work should be quoted separately. Please explain access needs, exclusions, cleanup and the total in writing.
Replace only what is true for your property. Share any exact address or photos directly with a provider you have chosen, not in a public comment.
Check whether it is a city tree
The City describes the right-of-way as the grassy area between the sidewalk and street. If the tree may be a City tree or in the right-of-way, confirm responsibility with Forestry before arranging work; location alone is not a property-boundary determination.
For City-tree pruning, removal or stump-grinding requests, call 616-456-3000 or 311. The City says residents must not prune City trees themselves. Alternatively, request a permit for a qualified private company to prune at your expense. Approval is required before permitted work; the City does not perform work arranged under that permit.
Check current Forestry guidance and permit options. For a private-property tree or another municipality, confirm the requirements that apply to that property.
Could City yard-waste services fit the cleanup?
For wood you are responsible for disposing of, compare the City's resident options before paying for haul-away. These are disposal services, not a crew that will cut up or collect a whole fallen tree from your yard.
- Resident drop-off: the City lists a yard-waste site at 2001 Butterworth Street SW, available to Grand Rapids residents at no out-of-pocket cost with proof of residence. Material must be loose or in paper bags, not plastic. The accepted list includes logs and tree limbs cut to 5 feet or less; whole trees and stumps are excluded.
- Curbside branches: bundled branches and twigs must be no more than 4 feet long and 2 inches in diameter and need the City's bulk tag. This is not permission to leave large trunk sections at the curb. Other collection options have their own tags, bags and limits.
- Contractor loads: the resident no-cost arrangement does not apply to commercial contractors. The City directs contractors to its composting vendor and says tipping fees apply.
Check current yard-waste rules, season, hours and fees before transporting material or putting it out. Ask Public Works about uncertain loads. Do not cut or move hazardous wood to meet a disposal size limit.
Before hiring
ISA explains that tree pruning and removal can be dangerous and should be done by people trained and equipped for the work. An arborist’s assessment is different from this planning guide.
City of Grand Rapids Forestry: city trees and permits
ISA TreesAreGood: why hire an arborist
Keep away from downed lines, hanging limbs and unstable trees or wood. For immediate danger, contact emergency services or your utility. Do not cut, climb or move hazardous wood to describe the job.