150 Year Old Sycamore Removal Near Two Homes

Project Summary

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Service: Large sycamore tree removal and stump removal

Equipment Used / Tools: 40 ton crane, rigging gear, chainsaws, hauling equipment, cleanup tools

Team: Family-owned and operated crew led by Saul Vasquez

Completion Time: One day

Introduction

Claire needed help with a sycamore that had become too risky to leave standing. The tree was around 150 years old, and it was already dying and dropping limbs. The bigger issue was where it stood. The tree stretched over her home and the neighboring property, so there was no room for sloppy work.

She did not just want the tree gone. She wanted it removed with care. That meant protecting two houses, preserving the driveway, and keeping the job controlled from start to finish. She also needed insurance documents for peace of mind before the work began.

ASAP Tree and Crane Service handled the project with careful planning, crane support, and a crew that stayed focused through the full removal. When the work was done, the massive sycamore was gone, the homes were protected, and the only damage was a small nick to the fence.

The Challenge

A mature sycamore does not leave much room for mistakes. This one was huge. The customer described it as a 70,000 lb tree that stood more than seven stories high. It was declining, shedding limbs, and hanging over two separate properties.

That kind of tree changes the whole job. The crew had to manage weight, height, swing path, and safe access at the same time. The client also wanted proof of insurance before the work began, which is common on high-risk removals around homes. The job needed to be clean, controlled, and documented from the first visit through final cleanup.

Main Challenges

Removing a dying 150 year old sycamore without damaging two nearby homes.
Managing a tree with major size, height, and weight.
Working above a driveway and neighboring property with limited margin for error.
Providing insurance documentation before work began.
Finishing the removal with minimal property impact and a full cleanup.

“ASAP Tree and Crane Services has been the BEST tree company we have ever worked with. They are friendly, professional, collaborative, reliable, respectful, and incredibly talented. They took out a 150 year old sycamore that was dying and dropping limbs. They came out, gave a quote and got us on the schedule. They provided insurance docs and protected our neighbors driveway. It was a 70,000 lb tree that was over 7 stories high and the only damage was a nick in the fence. Now we can rest easy when storms come through. THANK YOU ASAP.”

— Claire Landberg

Good to Know

Large sycamores often develop heavy lateral limbs and weak points as they age. Once decline starts, storm risk rises fast, especially near homes, driveways, and neighboring lots.

Our Solution

Step 1: Site review and removal planning

Saul and the crew reviewed the full drop zone, tree lean, branch spread, driveway exposure, and neighboring structures. They confirmed access for crane work and made sure the customer had the insurance documents she requested.

Step 2: Crane-assisted sectioning

The sycamore came down in controlled sections. The crane handled the heaviest picks so large wood never had to swing freely over the homes. Each cut was planned around balance, weight, and safe lift points.

Step 3: Property protection during removal

The crew worked carefully around the client’s property and the neighboring driveway. Material was lifted and lowered with control, not rushed through the job. That pace mattered on a tree this large.

Step 4: Cleanup and closeout

Once the tree was removed, the crew cleared debris, processed wood, cleaned the work area, and checked the site before leaving. The result felt finished, not halfway done.

Did You Know

Crane-assisted tree removal often lowers risk on very large residential jobs. It gives the crew tighter control over heavy wood and cuts down the chance of impact damage near houses and driveways.

Why Choose ASAP Tree and Crane Service

Family-owned and operated since 2007.
More than 20 years of tree industry experience.
40 ton crane available for complex tree removals.
Bonded and insured crew with safety-focused planning.
Trusted by Indianapolis homeowners for difficult removals near structures.

Our Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you remove a very large sycamore near a house?

Yes. That is exactly where crane support and controlled sectioning make a big difference.

2. Do you provide insurance documents before the job?

Yes. We can provide proof of insurance for projects that need it.

3. Can you protect a shared driveway or nearby property during removal?

Yes. We plan the site around nearby structures, access points, and neighboring areas.

4. How long does a job like this take?

Many large removals can be completed in one day, but site access and tree size affect the timeline.

5. Do you clean up after the tree comes down?

Yes. Cleanup is part of the job.

The Result

The dying sycamore was removed safely. Both homes stayed protected. The neighbor’s driveway stayed usable. The crew handled a massive, high-risk tree with control from start to finish, and the customer could finally stop worrying every time storms rolled through.

Need Large Tree Removal Help?

Got a huge tree hanging over your house or a neighbor’s property? ASAP Tree and Crane Service handles difficult removals across Indianapolis with crane support, careful planning, and cleanup that feels complete.