Tree cutting and arborist services in Fort Wayne

Choose an assessment, pruning, or removal

Describe your goal before asking for a price. You might want to retain a shade tree, clear branches from a roof, remove a damaged tree, or reclaim space around a stump. Ask the arborist to explain the proposed work in those terms. If you want to preserve the tree, request an assessment and discuss alternatives before authorizing removal.

Give the arborist photographs taken from a safe position and describe changes you have noticed, such as broken branches, a new lean, or sparse foliage. Ask whether they need an on-site inspection and whether their fee includes a written recommendation. Have them identify each tree in the quote so the crew and homeowner agree on the work.

Ask who will assess the tree and who will supervise cutting. Request proof of liability insurance and ask about coverage for workers on your property. If a contractor advertises an arborist credential, ask for the credential holder’s name and how you can verify it. Treat those checks as part of comparing offers.

Resolve power-line involvement before booking

I&M says homeowners should not attempt to trim or remove trees near power lines. For a questionable tree near its pole-to-pole lines, use its tree-problem form. The forestry team inspects the tree and speaks with you or leaves an assessment on a door hanger. Keep private cutting plans pending until you understand the utility’s role. [2]

I&M does not trim trees threatening the service drop, which runs from its pole to your house. The property owner arranges that work. Call 800-311-4634 at least two business days before scheduling it so I&M can arrange temporary disconnection. Ask your contractor to coordinate the cutting appointment with the utility. [2]

For branches on power lines or a downed pole posing an immediate risk, call I&M at 800-311-4634 instead of using the routine tree form. Stay away from power lines and do not touch them. Do not approach the tree to measure clearance or identify a wire. [2]

Compare the complete written scope

Ask each bidder to price the same work. For pruning, request the purpose and extent of the cuts. For removal, identify the tree, the proposed equipment, and the access route. Ask how the crew will protect the driveway, fence, lawn, and nearby structures, and who will address damage if it occurs.

Specify whether the contractor will haul logs, chip branches, leave firewood, or remove all debris. For stump grinding, agree on the grinding depth, treatment of exposed roots, removal of grindings, and whether the contractor will supply soil or seed. Request separate amounts for optional work so you can choose what to include.

Use site-specific written estimates to set your budget. Ask bidders to explain any equipment charge, utility coordination, disposal charge, or cleanup exclusion. If quotes differ, compare the proposed method and finished condition of the yard before comparing totals. Have the contractor document how you will approve extra work.

Plan access, weather delays, and cleanup

Before the crew arrives, agree on gate access, equipment parking, and the route through the property. Ask which vehicles or outdoor belongings you should move and how to keep pets away from the work area. Have the contractor explain the expected interruption to driveway use and the process for rescheduling.

The National Weather Service recorded 13.87 inches of precipitation in Fort Wayne during June through August 2026, compared with a 1991–2020 summer normal of 12.33 inches. Ask the contractor to check ground conditions before bringing equipment onto your lawn and explain when rain or wind would require a delay. These seasonal totals do not describe your yard’s current condition. [4]

Separate utility restoration from yard cleanup after a storm. I&M does not remove cut trees or limbs during emergency restoration; it assigns that debris removal to property owners. Ask your contractor to quote the remaining cleanup and confirm whether logs, branches, and stump work all fall within the agreed price. [1]

Fort Wayne summer precipitation: 2026 and the climate normal

Choose the next step for your tree

Your hiring checklist

1. Identify each tree and describe whether you want assessment, pruning, removal, or stump work.
2. Flag nearby electrical lines before requesting a cutting appointment.
3. Ask who will assess the tree, supervise the crew, and provide insurance documentation.
4. Compare quotes with matching hauling, stump, cleanup, and restoration scope.
5. Agree on equipment access, parking, and protection for the yard and driveway.
6. Document how the contractor will handle weather delays and approve extra charges.
7. Confirm disposal arrangements before choosing to keep or transport debris yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I&M remove a dead tree from my yard?

I&M says it only removes trees that threaten its power lines or equipment. For a questionable tree near those lines, request its assessment. For other trees, ask a private arborist to assess the tree and quote the work you need. [1]

Does tree removal include stump grinding?

Ask the bidder to state whether the price includes stump grinding. Specify depth, exposed roots, grindings removal, and the condition you expect afterward. Have the contractor list any excluded work before you accept the quote.

Can I take branches to a city facility myself?

City Utilities lists the Biosolids Handling Facility at 6202 Lake Avenue as a resident yard-waste drop-off site for a small fee. Confirm accepted materials, load limits, current fees, and hours before deciding to transport debris yourself. [3]

Should I book tree work for a particular season?

Ask the arborist to recommend timing for the tree and the proposed cuts. Discuss access conditions and weather delays with the cutting crew. If electrical lines affect the job, resolve utility coordination before fixing the appointment.