Each year, Treeworks, Inc. partners with cities and municipalities across Michigan to assess and remove what we call "danger trees." These trees pose structural risks to public property or safety and are typically identified through a TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) evaluation conducted by our certified arborists.
One of the most technically demanding municipal jobs we've ever taken on was located in Kalamazoo's Riverside Cemetery, right near Bronson Hospital on M-43.
The year before the removal, our team had reviewed a list of over 40 danger trees in the cemetery. Among them were a few massive trees located near the entrance to Bronson Hospital. They had been dead for over six years. Dry, brittle, and looming over four lanes of active highway, these trees were positioned just six inches from the primary power lines feeding the hospital. To make things worse, they hung over a public sidewalk bordered by a 150-year-old stone wall.
At the time, those trees didn’t make the cut for immediate removal. I remember hoping we wouldn’t be the crew assigned to them and laughing quietly at the thought of whoever would have to take that job on in the future.
Twelve months later, those same trees were placed at the top of the priority list. This time, we were the crew assigned to the job.
We closed three of the four lanes on M-43 at 5:00 AM on a Saturday morning and began the removal. With limited access, tight proximity to critical infrastructure, and very little margin for error, this was one of the most technical tree removals we've ever handled. Over the course of two full days, our team safely removed the hazard trees without incident.
This project stood out not just for the logistics, but for the challenge. These were some of the most dangerous trees we’ve worked on in over a decade. Their condition, the location, and the surrounding infrastructure made every step of the process critical.
Thanks to proper planning, the right equipment, and a capable team of ISA Certified Arborists, Treeworks, Inc. was able to complete the job safely and on schedule.
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