I'm looking to swap out my old chain link fence for a new wooden one in my backyard, but there are a few young trees, under 10 years old, growing right through the fence. The tree removal service I contacted said they can't do it because their chainsaws would hit the metal fencing, which is too risky. The fencing contractor wants over $1000 per tree to take them out, which feels pretty steep to me. Is it safe for me to try and handle this myself? Or is the price I've been quoted reasonable? Any tips or suggestions would be much appreciated. Just so you know, the prices I mentioned are in Canadian dollars.
6 Answers
If you want a more adventurous route, try cutting off the tree above the fence and then use a burned-out 55-gallon drum to create a makeshift burn site around the tree to get rid of it completely. Just make sure you're safe about it and that the trees are far enough from anything flammable.
One option is to cut the trees off just above the fence line. You can make a series of vertical cuts down the trunk, right next to the fence, and then remove those thin sections before cutting below the fence line with a handsaw. This way, you'll avoid hitting the metal with a chainsaw.
I had a tree that had completely engulfed a chain link fence, and what worked was cutting the exposed fence sections back, then having a team come in with a stump grinder since it can deal with both wood and metal. My total cost for the grind was around $250, which was way cheaper than the tree service alone.
You might be able to dig the trees out yourself. I had to deal with a similar situation where an old stump grew around some chain link. Use bolt cutters to tackle the fence sections, but be careful with the posts. It’s definitely doable if you're feeling up for it!
If the trees are small, a reciprocating saw with a pruning blade would do the trick. Just cut above the fence initially, then below it. And for the fence, you could use bolt cutters, or get a metal cutting blade for your saw. If you're not planning to keep the saw, consider getting a budget-friendly one for this job!
The answer is always explosives! But maybe just stick with a chainsaw unless you're really adventurous. ?
Just be cautious if you decide to burn! There are regulations about outdoor burning in many areas. Always check local laws first!