I have an extremely tall shagbark hickory in my yard that I am looking to have taken down. I was hoping not to make money, but just to get the tree taken down free of charge in return for the wood. Do you know who a good way to go about finding someone who may be interested in doing this?

Hi Kirsten:

Thanks for your question -- I receive this exact question multiple times every week. The removal of a yard tree is a "service" and as such requires the skillset of a trained arborist for a fee to the homeowner.

I would venture a guess that 95-98% of arborists simply are not going to barter for potential lumber from a yard tree. The only exceptions are those arborists who are also woodworkers or custom furniture makers and the tree in question must be a desirable species and of unique value to that particular arborist / custom woodworker.

Sorry, but the removal of a yard tree (with rare exception) is a service that will require payment to a trained or certified arborist.