Trees are wonderful things; there can be no denying that. We owe our continued existence to them and they provide us with natural resources and natural beauty. However, there are times when we need to remove them for various reasons.
It could be blocking a site that requires development, it could have grown too big and be unsafe, it could have died and posed a danger or many other reasons.
f you have decided that the tree requires removal, then there are several points you need to consider before deciding how to tackle your problem.
Considerations before removal
- Is there a clear area for the tree to fall into without it damaging other trees, property or anything else?
If there is, then you know which way you must force the tree to fall, but if there is not then you must take a different and far more careful approach. - Does the tree lean strongly in one direction?
If it does, then that is the direction the tree is going to try and fall in. If this is not a desirable outcome, you will have to approach the removal differently. - Are there any other trees or branches from trees that will get in the way?
If there are, then you will most likely need to remove these before you begin. - Are there any dead parts of your tree?
If so, these could well become a hazard during the removal and it might prove wise to cut these off prior to removing the main tree.
If you are still adamant to remove your tree and have taken these things into consideration, then you must prepare yourself and your tree accordingly. First and foremost, you need to protect yourself, so ensure you have the relevant protective equipment. This should include Kevlar leg protectors, heavy-duty gloves, a hard hat, steel-toe boots, goggles, ear protectors and a high-visibility jacket.
Make sure the tree has had any dead or loose branches removed before attempting to cut it down and that you have any equipment you will need to hand and that it has been checked for safe and correct operation. Above all else, ensure you have a first aid kit to hand and that you are not alone, just in case an accident does occur.
The act of felling the tree is more complex than we have space to go into here, but it is strongly advised that you seek professional tree lopping advice before proceeding as lopping and felling trees can be extremely dangerous. Even if you take every precaution and proceed with the utmost care and attention, accidents can happen and giving this task to a professional firm can help you avoid a lot of potential stress and injury.
Whatever course of action you choose to take, please ensure that your personal safety and that of those around you always come first and most importantly, do not cut without planning!
