Tree Removal in Watertown, South Dakota

Phone the code enforcement department of the city of Watertown at 605-882-6201 ext. 29

to ensure there are no restrictions and/or permits needed to remove the tree from your property. Give them the size and species of the tree. City councils routinely adopt new resolutions and ordinances, so make sure you know Watertown's current ordinance before you begin.

Determine the direction you want the the tree to fall and clear that area. You will make the first cut on the side of the tree facing the area in which you want the tree to fall.

Put on safety glasses and work gloves. Approach the tree on your Watertown property with a chainsaw.

Start the chainsaw and make a face-notch cut in one side of the tree. A face-notch is a triangular-shaped cut made about 2 feet above the ground and three-quarters of the way through the trunk; it resembles a ">" or "greater than" sign.

Walk around to the opposite side of the tree and make a 30- to 40-degree angled cut with the chainsaw about one-quarter of the way through tree trunk. This cut should be above the face-notch. Immediately walk away from the tree and allow it to fall.

Cut up the branches and trunk on the felled tree with your chainsaw and stack the cut wood along with your firewood. Then make an "X" cut in the tree stump using the chainsaw.

Purchase a bottle of tree herbicide and pour it into the intersecting cuts on the tree stump. Cover the stump with a tarp and wrap a rope around the stump to hold the tarp in place. The herbicide will kill the stump while the tarp will rob the roots of sunlight collected through the trunk and repel most rainwater.

Leave the stump covered for five to six weeks, then dig up the stump and root ball with a shovel or tractor.

One way to dispose of the trunk it to take it and root ball to the Watertown Regional Landfill. You will be charged per ton (see Resources).