Can I Cut Down a Small Tree Myself? When to DIY and When to Call a Pro
By Aaron Stirratt, co-owner
Aaron runs Whitetail Tree Services with his brother Corey, handling small tree removal, felling, trimming and stump grinding across Fort Wayne and surrounding areas.
September 29, 2026
Yes — if the tree is under about 15 feet, has plenty of clear space to fall, and isn't near your house, fence or wires, many homeowners can safely cut it themselves. If it's taller, leaning, dead, or near anything you'd hate to damage, it's worth calling a pro.
DIY is reasonable when…
- The tree is shorter than about 15 feet with a trunk under 6 inches across
- There's open ground at least 1.5 times its height in the direction it'll fall
- It's healthy and standing straight
- You have a sharp saw, eye and ear protection, gloves and sturdy boots
- You have a plan for the brush, trunk and stump
Call a pro when…
- It's within reach of your house, garage, fence, shed or a neighbor's property
- Power or service lines run anywhere near it
- It's dead, hollow, split or leaning
- You'd need a ladder to make any cut
- Multiple trunks are tangled together
The part people underestimate
Cutting the tree is often the quick part. Cutting it up, dragging brush, hauling it off and dealing with the stump can take a whole weekend and a trailer. That's usually what tips a job toward hiring someone.
Basic safety if you do it yourself
- Keep kids and pets well away
- Plan two escape paths at 45 degrees behind the fall direction
- Never cut above shoulder height with a chainsaw
- Stop if the tree starts leaning the wrong way — don't try to muscle it
Not sure?
Text us a photo. We'll tell you honestly if it's a safe DIY job — and if it isn't, we'll give you a price.