Crane-Assisted Tree Removal in Jersey City, NJ

Crane-assisted tree removal solves a problem Jersey City has more of than most places: big trees in backyards with no way to carry the wood out. Behind attached rowhouses and brownstones, the only routes are through the house or over it. A crane lifts large sections of the tree over the roof and sets them on the street or onto a truck.

How a crane removal works

A climber is positioned in the tree, attaches the crane's line to a section, and makes the cut once the crane has the weight. The section is lifted clear, swung over the roof and lowered to the ground crew at the street, where it is cut up and chipped. Because large pieces come out at once, a crane job can be faster and put less strain on the yard than lowering dozens of small pieces.

Planning the street side

A crane needs a place to set up, usually in the street in front of the house. In a dense city that means planning for parking, traffic and any permits the city requires for using the street, and it may mean coordinating with neighbors. We work that out before scheduling and tell you what is needed.

Overhead wires and the lift path

The crane's boom and every load have to stay clear of overhead power lines along the street and between buildings. Where lines are in the way, PSE&G may need to be involved first. Planning the lift path is part of the estimate.

When a crane is the right call

• The tree is large and the yard is landlocked behind attached houses
• The tree is dead or decayed and unsafe to climb fully
• The tree leans over a roof, and lowering pieces would risk the structure
• Carrying wood through the house is not acceptable to you

For smaller trees, roping and carrying out by hand is usually less expensive, and we will say so.

What the crane day looks like for you

On the day, the crane arrives early to set up while the ground crew protects the yard and roofline. You do not need to be home for the lifting itself, but someone should be reachable, and cars should be moved from the set-up area the night before. Many residential crane removals can be finished in a day; we give you the expected schedule in advance.

Protecting the house

Even with a crane, we protect roofs, gutters, railings and skylights along the lift path and plan the swing so loads never pass over people.