When it comes to tree maintenance, there are a few things you should do and a lot of things that shouldn’t be done. If you’re looking for the best way to cut down trees in your yard follow the guide below and never do this when cutting down a tree!
Trees are a common sight in most community landscapes, which is no coincidence due to their many benefits.
Trees can provide natural shade, oxygen, bear fruit or nuts, and offer a wonderful display of colors during the fall.
Although trees are a fantastic centerpiece to any landscape, it is important to note trees can develop issues, which may warrant the need to remove them from a residential property or commercial location.
When your tree develops an issue, the quickest and most common way of removing a tree is to proceed with cutting it down.
Tree cutting has become such a common practice that many individuals are lulled into a false sense of security when it comes to removing a tree. The act of cutting down a tree always seems much easier when watching on TV or video, but the process takes careful planning, the right equipment, and someone with solid experience to ensure the job is done correctly.
The following is a top ten list of Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to proper tree removal.
Follow These Steps For Efficiency and Safety
Do Know Your Limits – There are plenty of limitations that need to be factored in before deciding to proceed with cutting down a tree. Are you or the other participants on your team able to handle the rigorous physical aspects associated with cutting down a tree? Are there any limitations as it pertains to the necessary knowledge or experience needed to plan and successfully execute the process? Are there any weather related limitations such as rain, wind, or cold temperatures, which can negatively impact the job?
Not considering these limitations can make the job exponentially more difficult and increase the likelihood of a failed tree cutting experience.
Do Choose The Right Equipment – Without the necessary equipment, your tree cutting endeavors would be doomed from the start. Selecting the appropriate chainsaw for the job is critical to increase the speed and efficiency in which the task can be completed.
For those small to medium trees, a 16 to 18 inch bar would be recommended, while a 20 to 24 inch bar is suggested for larger trees. In addition, a pole chainsaw would be a good suggestion when it comes to cutting branches out of reach. This also spares anyone from having to climb a ladder with a chainsaw in tow, which can potentially lead to serious injury.
Other miscellaneous items like pruning shears and a chopping axe can also be extremely useful for the project.
Do Clear The Trunk Of Any Low Hanging Branches – Depending on the tree structure, there may be low hanging branches that obstruct access to the main trunk. In order to gain access to the trunk, it may be necessary to clear these low hanging branches.
Another beneficial reason to remove these low hanging branches is to avoid the tree rolling on its side once it hits the ground. The tree could potentially roll towards an unexpected area and threaten you or your neighbor’s personal property.
Do Aim The Tree – Cutting down a tree takes careful planning and one of the most important aspects of this plan is guiding where the tree falls.
Trees are exceptionally heavy structures and it is of utmost importance to avoid any accidents, injury or damage to property caused by errors in your tree falling judgement.
When deciding which way to aim the tree, the obvious structures to avoid are homes, cars, garages and power lines. Another important consideration is taking into account the proximity of other trees.
If not done correctly, a falling tree can cause significant damage or even uproot other trees on its journey down to the ground.
Do Begin The Felling With a Notch – The process of aiming a tree starts with making a directional notch on the side you want the tree to fall. This allows you to control the direction of the fall and avoid any unexpected accidents or injuries. The concept of a directional fall is based on creating a hinge, which is formed by the notch and the final felling cut. The depth, angle and placement of this directional notch are all critical to ensure the tree falls in the desired direction.
Never Do This When Cutting Down a Tree
Don’t Neglect Safety Gear – Having the right equipment to cut down a tree is only half the battle. Possessing the appropriate safety gear is another important part of the process. The following safety gear is a must when cutting down a tree.
- Heavy duty work gloves
- Workman boots
- Goggles
- Hard hat
- Plugs or ear muffs
- Pants and long sleeved shirts
- Dust mask
Wearing this gear provides the necessary protection to ensure a comfortable and injury free tree cutting experience.
Don’t Cut The Tree Blindly – It is important to examine the tree as well as the surrounding area prior to proceeding with the job.
Trees are massive organisms, which can cause major damage to any structures within falling distance. These structures can include homes, cars, garages, fences, power lines, and other trees.
It is critical to note, even with careful consideration of the structures in the neighboring area, your tree cutting efforts can still lead to disaster if the tree falls in an unexpected direction. This makes it all the more important to examine the tree and note any natural leans that may have an impact on which way the tree may fall.
Don’t Cut Down A Tree Without A Lookout – Any individual who takes part in cutting down a tree must be aware that having a lookout is a crucial part of the process.
The lookout can provide a wider angle view and alert the individual cutting the tree to any unexpected developments that may influence how the tree falls.
Also, a lookout can play a major part in keeping all participants in the tree cutting process safe and free from injury. This can include alerting the team of any large branches overhead that may be on the brink of falling and causing harm to those in the area.
Don’t Forget Your Escape Routes – To avoid any major injuries or fatalities, it is best to carefully plan an escape route.
It is not only critical to avoid the main trunk of the tree, but also any heavy limbs that can detach from the tree as it begins to fall.
The best escape route is at an angle, diagonally away from the direction of the fall. In addition, it is best to clear any tripping hazards within your escape path such as brush, fallen branches or rocks that can impede your route to safety.
Don’t Get Careless – Successfully cutting down a tree takes careful planning and execution. But even the most well thought out plans can be derailed with careless execution.
Never make any assumptions during the tree cutting process and always have a backup plan if the process does not go as expected.
Carelessness can include neglecting certain safety gear, not properly accounting for all surrounding structures, using subpar equipment and not properly planning your escape route once the tree starts to fall. Carelessness can lead to unnecessary property damage as well as injury or fatalities to the participants of the tree cutting project.
Why Choose Hidden Oak Tree Care
Tree removal can be a monumental task, especially considering the many dangers and pitfalls that can be associated with the process.
Successfully removing a tree takes precision planning and execution, which is even more important when removing a large tree from a residential or commercial property.
Hidden Oak Tree Care is your resounding answer to successfully removing trees of any size and shape, while offering a safe, clean, and cost effective tree removal experience. With Hidden Oak Tree Care you don’t have to worry about the thought “never do this when cutting down a tree.”
With years of experience, Hidden Oak Tree Care is a fully licensed and insured company, which takes tree removal to heart. Armed with a wealth of knowledge, state of the art equipment, world class expertise and workmanship, we can make your tree removing project a pleasant and much easier proposition.