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[Jeremy Portzer <jeremyp AT pobox.com>]

tkarches AT imapmail.org wrote:
> We have a red oak tree in our yard that has grown up at an angle so that 
> it looks like it is leaning toward the house. The tree is not actually 
> leaning....the root system is strong
>
> I have been told by tree cutting services that it should be cut down.
>
> "Of course it should". They cut down trees for a living.
>
> If it wasn't $1400, I would just do it. It would also involve pulling up 
> a fence post so they could get their equipment into my backyard.

Keep in mind that if it's a large oak tree, there is likely some resale 
value in the wood (for firewood at the very least).  So when getting 
quotes like this ALWAYS find out if they are planning on taking the wood 
away and what credit you're getting for its value (if any).

My parents had a quite large white oak (9-ft circumference, 60-80 ft 
tall, IIRC) in their back yard fall after being struck by lightning. 
They found a company that would have removed it for free as its trunk 
was of high enough quality to use for furniture.  However, it wasn't 
possible to get their truck close enough to remove it, given the 
location in a gully in the back yard.  So we ended up chopping it up for 
firewood (had to rent a very large chainsaw), which was ultimately 
donated to our church and sold as a fundraiser - there was definitely 
resale value.

This doesn't apply softwoods like pine trees.  They're not worth much 
except for making into chips (which don't have a high resale).  This 
large oak knocked down several pines and poplars when it fell.  We had 
lots of firewood and mulch for quite a few years.

--Jeremy