Case Study: Safe Removal of a 60-Foot Ash Tree in White Bear Lake, MN
- Renstrom Tree Service
- White Bear Lake, MN
- High-Risk Tree Removal
Introduction
When the city of White Bear Lake marked a homeowner’s beloved 60-foot ash tree for removal due to Emerald Ash Borer infestation, the family was devastated. The tree had stood in their backyard for decades, providing shade, character, and a sense of permanence that only a mature tree can offer. Losing it was not a decision they made lightly, and when the time came to find a tree service to handle the removal, they turned to a referral from a trusted neighbor.
That referral brought them to Renstrom Tree Service. What followed was a professional, efficient, and remarkably smooth removal that turned a stressful situation into a seamless experience. This case study details the challenges involved, the approach our team took, and the outcome for the homeowner.
Project Summary
Location: White Bear Lake, MN
Tree Species: Ash (EAB Infected)
Tree Height: Approximately 60 feet
Service Provided:High-Risk Tree Removal
Completion Time: Under 90 minutes
Outcome: Full removal, complete cleanup, zero property damage
The Challenge: An Emerald Ash Borer-Infected Tree in a Residential Setting
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is one of the most destructive invasive insects in North American history. Since its accidental introduction from Asia in the early 2000s, it has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees across the continent. In Minnesota, the EAB has been spreading steadily, and communities across the Twin Cities metro have been forced to grapple with the mass removal of infected ash trees from parks, boulevards, and private properties.
What makes EAB-infected ash trees particularly challenging to remove is the effect the insect has on the wood itself. As the larvae feed beneath the bark, they disrupt the tree’s vascular system and cause the wood to die and dry out rapidly. An ash tree in the advanced stages of EAB infestation becomes extremely brittle. The wood loses its flexibility and becomes unpredictable. Branches that would normally bend under load instead snap without warning. This brittleness makes traditional climbing dangerous or impossible, as a climber’s weight can cause compromised branches to fail suddenly.
The tree in question was a mature ash standing approximately 60 feet tall in the homeowner’s backyard. The property was a standard residential lot with a house on one side and a fence line on the other. The tree’s canopy extended over a portion of the yard and toward the fence, meaning a straightforward felling was not an option. Every section of the tree would need to be carefully dismantled and lowered to the ground without impacting the surrounding structures or landscaping.
Adding to the complexity was the condition of the wood. The tree had been infected long enough that the upper canopy was severely compromised. The brittleness of the wood meant that the crew could not rely on the wood behaving predictably during cutting, requiring additional care and planning at every step of the removal.
The Assessment: Planning Before the First Cut
When the Renstrom Tree Service team arrived on site, the first step was a thorough assessment of the tree and the surrounding environment. Our ISA Certified Arborist walked the property, evaluated the tree’s condition, identified the primary hazard zones, and developed a removal sequence designed to manage the risks presented by the brittle wood.
The assessment identified several key factors that would shape the removal plan. The upper canopy was the most compromised section of the tree and would need to be removed first, working from the top down. The brittleness of the wood meant that rigging points needed to be placed carefully to avoid putting excessive load on compromised sections. The proximity of the fence required precise directional control for every section lowered to the ground.
The team also assessed the access points for equipment and determined the safest positioning for the chipper and the log sections that would be cut from the lower trunk. Clear communication protocols were established between the climber and the ground crew to ensure that every cut was coordinated and that no one was in the drop zone when wood was being lowered.
- Dismantling an 88-foot red oak without damaging surrounding property.
- Operating efficiently in winter weather.
- Respecting the homeowner’s preferences and staying in communication the whole time.
“We were devastated when our ash tree got marked by the city but we had no choice but to remove it. We turned to Renstrom off of a referral and I’m so glad we did. They were all so professional start to finish and our over 60ft tree came down in just under and hour and half. Will definitely work with them again and tell anyone we know to use them as well!!”
Good to Know
Red oaks rank among Indiana’s tallest hardwoods. They can weigh several tons. Planning properly and using cranes plus rigging equipment? Essential for safe removal. Working with insured pros protects you from liability issues.
The Approach: Controlled Dismantling from the Top Down
With the assessment complete and the plan established, the crew moved into position. The removal proceeded from the top of the tree downward, systematically dismantling the canopy section by section.
Managing the Brittle Upper Canopy
The upper sections of the tree required the most careful handling. The crew used a combination of rigging techniques to secure each branch before cutting, ensuring that the wood could be lowered in a controlled manner even if it behaved unpredictably due to the brittleness. Smaller sections were cut and lowered individually rather than in large pieces, reducing the load on any single rigging point and maintaining control throughout the process.
Protecting the Property
Throughout the removal, protecting the homeowner’s property was the constant priority. The fence line was identified as the primary concern, and every cut was planned to direct wood away from it. Ground crew members maintained clear communication with the climber, confirming that the drop zones were clear before each cut was made. The result was a removal that proceeded without a single impact on the fence, the surrounding landscaping, or any other element of the property.
Processing the Lower Trunk
Once the canopy was fully removed, the lower trunk sections were cut and processed efficiently. The large trunk rounds were moved to the edge of the property for the homeowner to use as firewood or for disposal. The chipper processed all of the branch material on site, reducing the volume of debris significantly and making the final cleanup straightforward.
Did You Know
Oak trees in Indiana can live over a century and often reach heights of 80 to 90 feet. When they need removal, trained arborists use cranes to avoid damage and ensure safety.
The Result: A 60-Foot Tree Removed in Under 90 Minutes
People choose this company for expertise with tough removals, solid equipment lineup, and real dedication to safety. Crews show up on time, communicate well, and respect what homeowners want.
Our Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do you handle large tree removals safely?
We do. Certified arborists. Cranes. Rigging equipment. We’ve got everything needed for complex jobs.
2. Will you explain what you're doing during the project?
Definitely. We walk you through the process and honor your preferences the whole way.
3. Do you clean up completely after removal?
Every time. Stump ground. Debris chipped. Property left tidy.
The Result: A 60-Foot Tree Removed in Under 90 Minutes
The entire removal, from the first cut to the final cleanup, was completed in just under an hour and a half. For a 60-foot tree with the complications presented by EAB-infected wood and a constrained residential setting, this was an exceptional result that reflected the efficiency of a well-planned, well-executed operation.
The homeowner was present throughout the removal and was visibly impressed by the professionalism and precision of the crew. The yard was left completely clean, with all debris removed and the site ready for the homeowner to use immediately. There was no damage to the fence, the surrounding landscaping, or any other element of the property.
Perhaps most importantly, the homeowner felt supported throughout a process that had been emotionally difficult. Losing a mature tree is never easy, and the Renstrom team understood that. They communicated clearly, worked efficiently, and treated the homeowner’s property with the same care and respect they would want for their own.
What This Project Demonstrates About Renstrom Tree Service
This project is a clear example of what sets Renstrom Tree Service apart in the northeast Twin Cities market. The combination of ISA Certified Arborist expertise, proper planning, specialized rigging techniques, and a crew that communicates and executes with precision allowed a genuinely complex removal to be completed safely, efficiently, and without incident.
EAB-infected ash tree removals are increasingly common across the Twin Cities metro, and they are not jobs for inexperienced operators. The brittleness of the wood, the size of mature ash trees, and the typical residential setting in which they are found create a combination of challenges that require professional expertise and the right equipment to handle safely.
If you have an ash tree on your property that has been affected by Emerald Ash Borer, or if you have any tree that presents similar challenges, Renstrom Tree Service has the experience and capability to handle the removal safely and efficiently.
Conclusion
If you have a hazardous, diseased, or structurally compromised tree on your property, do not wait for it to become an emergency. Contact Renstrom Tree Service for a professional assessment and a free estimate. We serve White Bear Lake, Lake Elmo, Stillwater, Roseville, and the entire northeast Twin Cities metro.
Service Areas
- White Bear Lake
- Lake Elmo
- Stillwater
- Roseville
- Entire northeast Twin Cities metro
- White Bear Lake
- Lake Elmo
- Stillwater
- Roseville
- Entire northeast Twin Cities metro