Kirkland and Dollard-des-Ormeaux are home to thousands of mature trees planted when these neighbourhoods were developed in the 1970s and 1980s. Many of those trees have now reached heights of 60 to 80 feet, towering over houses, fences, and Hydro-Quebec power lines. The problem is that the backyards they stand in were designed for young subdivisions, not forests. When one of these giants needs to come down, a crane is often the only practical and safe solution.
Why Tight Backyards Demand a Crane
In many Kirkland and DDO properties, large trees are surrounded by obstacles on every side — the house, a neighbour's garage, a pool, a shed, and overhead wires. Traditional rigging, where an arborist climbs the tree and lowers sections with ropes, requires a clear drop zone. When that zone does not exist, each piece must be lifted up and over the obstacles. A crane can pick up multi-ton sections from the top of the tree and swing them over the house to the street in minutes, eliminating the need for ground clearance entirely.
Trees Near Hydro-Quebec Lines
Hydro-Quebec lines running through backyards are one of the most common reasons we bring a crane to a job in DDO and Kirkland. Working near energized lines is extremely dangerous, and the regulations around clearance distances are strict. A crane allows us to lift sections vertically away from the wires and place them safely on the street. This keeps our crew, your property, and the power grid protected. In some cases, we coordinate with Hydro-Quebec to temporarily disconnect lines, but even then a crane speeds up the operation significantly.
Safer and Faster Than You Think
Many homeowners assume a crane job will cost significantly more than manual removal. In reality, a crane can complete in one day what might otherwise take three or four days of manual climbing, rigging, and hauling. Less time on your property means less disruption, less lawn damage, and lower total labour costs. When you factor in the reduced risk of property damage and the elimination of hazardous climbing near power lines, crane removal is often the most cost-effective option for large trees in tight spaces.
What a Crane Job Looks Like
On the day of the removal, the crane is set up on the street or driveway with outriggers extended for stability. An arborist in the tree attaches rigging straps to each section, and the crane operator lifts them one at a time over the house to a landing zone where ground crew process the wood. The entire operation is carefully planned in advance — we visit the site beforehand to assess the tree, identify obstacles, and confirm the crane can reach the work area. Most crane removals in Kirkland and DDO are completed within a single day.
Get a Free Crane Removal Assessment
If you have a large tree in a tight backyard, near hydro lines, or surrounded by structures, crane-assisted removal may be the right choice. Service d'Arbres Brandse has extensive experience with crane operations across Kirkland, DDO, and the entire West Island. We will visit your property, assess the situation, and provide an honest recommendation. Call us at (438) 365-5410 for a free estimate — you might be surprised at how affordable and efficient a crane job can be.