Loblolly pines are the tree that falls in Middle Georgia. Tall, shallow-rooted on sandy soil, and heavy. Here is how to read one.
Signs
- A lean that has grown since last year, especially toward the house.
- Soil heaving or cracking on the side away from the lean: the roots are letting go.
- Pitch tubes and sawdust on the bark: pine beetles, and the tree is dying.
- A brown crown, or needles thinning from the top down.
- Fungal shelves at the base.
What it costs
A 60 to 80-foot pine on an open lot with room to fall: about $700 to $1,500, felled whole and chipped, the same money as a mid-size yard tree because it comes down in one piece. The same pine with no room to fall: $1,500 to $3,500, sectioned down on ropes with a ground crew. Over a roof, a pool or lines: $2,500 and up, rigged down piece by piece. Stump grinding is separate. See our pricing page for the full table.
Permits
On your own lot, normally none. In the right-of-way or a historic district, Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning; we check on the estimate visit.
Useful links
- ISA arborist directory – the credential to ask any tree crew about
- Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning – tree and land-use rules, historic districts, right-of-way
Questions on this
Can a leaning pine be saved?
Sometimes, if the lean is old and the roots are sound. A new lean with heaved soil cannot.
How much does it cost to remove a pine in Macon?
A 60 to 80-foot loblolly with room to fall about $700 to $1,500, felled whole and chipped; the same tree sectioned down because it cannot fall clear $1,500 to $3,500; over a roof, a pool or lines $2,500 and up. Stump grinding is $100 to $350 on top.
Do I need a permit to remove a pine in Macon?
On your own lot, normally no. In the right-of-way or a historic district, Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning, linked above, has a say; we check on the estimate visit.
Can an arborist tell me if the pine is dying?
Yes; pitch tubes, a thinning crown and heaved soil are the signs, and an arborist from the ISA directory linked above can confirm before you spend on a removal.