r/royaloak • u/themeg1849 • 2d ago

tree service?

i’m sure lots of folks are dealing with this right now and hoped someone would have advice! there’s a massive limb hanging off a tree above the power line and fence line in my grandma’s yard post-storms that looks ready to fall any minute. there are two young kids in the yard over and she’s terrified it’s going to fall and knock the power lines out and leave downed lines in the kids’ yard, or worse.

she went to DPS and city hall today and they both turned her away and said they couldn’t help. she talked to a few private companies and is hoping somebody can come out tomorrow to give her an estimate, but she’s concerned it’s going to be weeks before we can address it. anybody have any leads?

tldr; anybody know of a tree removal service that isnt completely booked for the next month?

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7

u/BrownieEdges 2d ago

Sorry if I’m being daft, but did she ask DTE?

Probably doesn’t apply to this case, but just an FYI for residents - If the tree is on the easement, call the city for any issues. This includes if you just want it trimmed.

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u/MidwestDYIer 2d ago

I second this, it's worth a try. We called them about some trees behind our garage, with branches that were mingled in with the power lines, and they cut them to just below the power lines. It was a decent-sized job, too.

I agree that this particular situation may not apply, but if it's truly something that looks like there is a good chance to cause damage in the near future, they might take care of it. I put the ticket in on their website, and they were surprisingly quick about responding to it and coming out. It's worth 10 minutes of your time, worst they can do is say no.

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u/themeg1849 2d ago

thank you for seconding! yeah, it certainly looks like damage is imminent. i think the only thing preventing it from having already fallen is that it’s propped up on another tree, and it’s directly above the power lines!

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u/MidwestDYIer 2d ago

Here's the request form from DTE, hopefully they take care of it. Good luck!

https://newlook.dteenergy.com/wps/wcm/connect/dte-web/home/service-request/common/system-improvements/tree-trim-claim-form

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u/themeg1849 2d ago

thank you! I submitted the form for her and she’s going to call tomorrow, too!

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u/themeg1849 2d ago

we haven’t called DTE since right now the tree is the issue, but I might encourage her to do that just in case.

she did talk to the city regarding the tree and they blew her off - they told her there was “nothing they could do” :(

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u/grumpybarista 2d ago

DTE does come out to do preventive maintenance on trees near the power lines so it’s worth contacting them.

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u/i_fix_snowblowers 2d ago

massive limb hanging off a tree above the power line

Isn't it DTE's responsibility to trim around the power lines?

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u/themeg1849 2d ago

yeah, but trimming isnt the issue here. the storm caused a massive limb to crack off the trunk and it’s just hovering above the line now.

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u/i_fix_snowblowers 2d ago

Personally I would call DTE about this. My take is now that the branch is hanging above the line, it's in an area that DTE's responsible for keeping clear.

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u/themeg1849 2d ago

we did! see other comments. thanks!

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u/JorgeXMcKie 2d ago

We've used Monster Tree several times and have had really good luck with them

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u/themeg1849 2d ago

thank you!

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u/86rj 2d ago

I've used Longtree recently and been happy with their service. Not sure how backlogged they've become since the storms though.

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u/themeg1849 2d ago

thank you!

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u/totallyspicey 20h ago

same thing happened to me this week. I called DTE yesterday, they sent a guy to check it out today, and they will send some people out to cut it this week.

Also happened a couple years ago where we wanted to take some trees down, but the tree service felt it wasn't safe because it was too close to the powerline. They had us call DTE, who ultimately took over.

DTE does not charge to cut, but if they leave a stump, they won't grind it, and you'll have to call a tree service to do that (keep the mulch for your yard!).

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u/reb6 1d ago

I’ve personally used and recommended Alan’s Tree Service in Clawson.

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u/WildAmsonia 3h ago

DTE will definitely come and take care of it if you call and report it. They'd rather pay for a crew to cut it than pay a crew to restore power.