Older neighborhoods, older trees
Many streets in West Columbia and Cayce were built out generations ago, with shade trees planted along them at the time. Decades later, fast-growing water and laurel oaks are at the age when decay, dead limbs and root problems show up, and pecans in older yards drop heavy limbs. Many of these trees are larger than the houses beside them.
- Small lots. There is rarely room to fell a tree in one piece. Most removals are sectional, with pieces lowered on ropes, and the biggest trees may need a crane from the street.
- Overhead wires everywhere. Service drops, cable lines and main lines run through the canopy on many streets. Planning around them is part of almost every job here; see trees near power lines.
- Neighbors close by. A limb or trunk that falls wrong can land on the house next door. Talk to neighbors before a big removal, especially if access through their yard would help.
- Sidewalks and driveways. Old oaks and sweetgums lift concrete. Grinding surface roots is sometimes possible; cutting big roots near the trunk can destabilize the tree.
City trees and your trees
West Columbia and Cayce are separate cities with their own public works departments. Trees in the strip between the sidewalk and the street, or elsewhere in the right-of-way, may belong to the city, so ask public works before anyone touches them. On your side of the line, the tree is generally yours to manage, and a dead tree you knew about can become your problem if it falls on a neighbor's house. See a tree fell on your house.
Near the river
Lots near the Congaree and the lower Saluda sit on lower, wetter ground in places, and trees there can be shallow-rooted. After long rains or a tropical storm, saturated soil lets whole trees tip over. A new lean or cracked soil at the base is a reason to call quickly.
Common jobs here
- Removing a declining oak in sections over a house and wires. See dead and dying tree removal.
- Deadwooding and reducing big pecans and oaks that are worth keeping. See tree trimming.
- Grinding stumps left from past removals so the yard is usable again. See stump grinding.
- Storm cleanup after limbs come down on roofs, cars and fences. See storm damage tree cleanup.
Before you call, walk through the tree risk checklist, and check the cost guide for how tight access and wires affect a price.