Arbortech uses 180-ton crane to remove trees from Columbia Lake lot

Arbortech completed a crane-assisted tree removal on a steep Columbia Lake waterfront property in Coventry, Connecticut, using a 180-ton crane to safely take down large pine trees from a hard-to-access site. The project highlights how waterfront lots with tight access and storm-damaged legacy trees can require specialized removal methods. Why it matters: - Steep lakefront lots can turn routine tree work into a high-risk job. - Crane-assisted removal can reduce danger to crews, nearby structures, landscaping, and surrounding trees. - Mature pine trees on waterfront properties can become urgent hazards after storm damage or partial failure. What happened: - Arbortech completed a complex crane-assisted tree removal project on a steep Columbia Lake waterfront property in Coventry, Connecticut. - The crew removed several large, mature pine trees. - The project also involved substantial leaders left standing from a pine that had previously failed on the property. - Arbortech used a 180-ton crane after determining that the equipment offered the safest and most efficient way to complete the work. The details: - The lakefront site had tight, steep terrain that limited standard access for felling trees and hauling away debris. - Traditional removal methods would have been harder and riskier because of the slope and limited room to work. - Before the crane entered the property, the crew pruned several trees along the driveway to create enough clearance for access and maneuvering. - The crane was set up at a distance from the trees that still allowed safe removal. - The crew removed the trees in sections and lifted large pieces directly from the work area. - The crane eliminated the need to lower material down the steep slope. - Large pine trees are relatively brittle compared with many hardwood species. - Pines can be especially vulnerable during high winds, heavy snow, ice storms, and other severe weather common to the region. - The property already showed signs of that risk because one pine had failed and left large leaders standing. - Justin Valanti, owner and operations manager at Arbortech Tree, said the terrain and earlier failure made a conventional approach unsafe for the crew, the landscaping, and the surrounding trees. - Arbortech said the work relied on industry-recognized arboricultural and safety practices. - Careful planning and ongoing communication between the ground crew and the crane operator were essential to the project’s success. - Arbortech serves Hartford, Tolland, and surrounding Connecticut counties. - The company provides tree removal, trimming, and crane-assisted removal. - Arbortech specializes in complex, technically demanding projects, including waterfront and limited-access properties. - More information is available at Arbortech’s website . - Arbortech also shared a social media link: Arbortech on Facebook . Between the lines: - Waterfront properties around Connecticut’s smaller lakes often combine steep slopes, limited access, and older trees. - Arbortech is positioning crane-assisted work as the right tool for sites where conventional tree removal would be slower and riskier. - The Columbia Lake job also underscores how prior storm damage can raise the stakes for remaining trees. What’s next: - Arbortech is encouraging owners of mature pines and other large lakefront trees to have them assessed periodically. - The company says that is especially important after storms or any sign of prior failure. - Arbortech expects similar challenges on properties around Columbia Lake, Coventry Lake, Andover Lake, and Lake Williams in Lebanon. - The broader takeaway is that early inspection can identify hazards before they become emergencies. The bottom line: - On a steep waterfront lot, the safest way to remove large trees may be to lift them out piece by piece instead of cutting them down to the slope.