While you may be tempted to believe that tree removal is a simple process, that is not the case. To remove a tree properly and more importantly, safely, you need knowledge, skill, and experience.
Tree removal is beyond just cutting from the base of the tree and leaving it for a free fall to the ground. There are a lot of things to account for, and many dangers involved with do-it-yourself (DIY) removal of a tree.
If you give enough thought to all the risks involved, you’d see that DIY tree removal isn’t worth it. So before you grab your chainsaw, consider the risk factors and why hiring a professional tree company is best for you. Need additional information? Visit website for more resources.
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The risk factors associated with DIY tree removal
The following are some of the most common causes of hazards associated with DIY tree removal. You can refer to Quora to see how many people die from falling trees in the US every year.
Wrong Tools
The use of wrong or faulty tools to cut down a tree can cause a serious accident. If your pruners, chainsaws, or axes are dull, it can make it easy for you to lose balance. Your risk of injury is further heightened if you don’t have all the appropriate safety gear. To ensure your safety when cutting down a tree, it is important to put on safety glasses, harnesses, safety gloves, a hard hat, and chainsaw pants that jam chainsaws, and to protect your legs.
Considering the amount of money that you’ll be needing to get the right gear and equipment, it would be a wise decision to hire professional arborists to get the dangerous work done for you.
Ladders
The first sign that a tree may be too large for you to remove safely is that you need to use a ladder for it. For a number of reasons, it can be extremely dangerous to climb a ladder with a chainsaw in your hand. You could lose your balance, lose control of the chainsaw, fall off the ladder, and sustain a serious injury in the process.
Other mistakes that could be made are: making use of the wrong type of ladder or misplacing the ladder on an uneven surface. Another thing is that if your ladder doesn’t extend beyond the branch at least three feet, then you’re not at the proper height. In this case, you are at a disadvantage over large branches. You could be pulled off the ladder because the branch will rise above the ladder when you cut it off.
Manhandling the Chainsaw
A lot of practice is required to cut down a tree safely with a chainsaw. Things to consider will include the weight distribution, the angles of the cut in the tree, and the insertion of the bar into the tree. For you not to be at risk of cutting yourself, you must have complete control over the chainsaw at all times.
Sometimes, a chainsaw can jerk backward toward the operator. This is called a kickback, and it is one of the biggest risks of using a chainsaw. If this happens and there is a nail or bolt in the tree, the chainsaw can start malfunctioning and become unpredictable.
Miscalculations
Precise calculations are required for safely cutting down a tree. You need to consider the height of the tree and the angles you need to cut the tree to determine when and where the tree will fall. A slight miscalculation can result in the tree falling in an unexpected direction and lead to serious injuries and damage to a property
Power lines
When a tree is located under or close to a power line, there is the risk of major hazards during removal. One is the risk of electrocution when the tree brushes the power line. There can also be power outages and fire outbreaks if the falling tree knocks down the power line.
Lack of Knowledge or Experience
There is a high risk of accidents when cutting down trees if you don’t have knowledge about tree biology or physics, or lack experience in tree-cutting. For example, if you attempt to cut off tree limbs in heavy and large sections, it will make it difficult to control the section. You risk damaging the tree and you may be seriously injured.
Human Error
Simple mistakes, inexperience, and poor judgment can lead to serious injury and great damage during DIY tree removal. While anyone can make such mistakes, those with insufficient experience and practice are more prone to accidents than professional arborists who have gone through the necessary training and with adequate knowledge for the safe removal of trees.
Gravity
It is difficult to predict falling tree limbs. The weight and size of trees and their branches can be deceiving; so also is their center of gravity. To get them down safely, you’ll need a rope to hold them, or a pulling system in case they are too heavy for you to hold. That is a dangerous process.
What will a professional arborist do?
Professional arborists have gone through the necessary training on tree removal. They have the knowledge and experience to prevent the many hazards that are associated with tree removal.
Professional tree companies have the expertise to:
- Prevent the trees they are working on from falling.
- Recognize trees and branches with decay, cracks, or unbalanced weight
- Do tree removal without causing injury to themselves or damage to property
- Avoid overhead electrical wires
Hire a Professional for Tree Removal!
Considering the many risks that are associated with tree removal, it is best to let professional arborists do their thing. Although you may believe that doing it yourself will save you money, the cost of DIY tree removal will eventually add up if you factor in the time, stress, and money. And to think of it, the risk of injury alone isn’t worth the little savings.
Professional arborists have the necessary equipment, tools, and skills to remove your tree safely. With their service, you, your family, and your property are safe from the many possible dangers that are associated with tree removal.
