If you are looking to remove a tree (or trees) from your property, and want to do it yourself, there are several things that should be considered first.
- o The most important thing to consider when removing a tree from your property is safety. Both you and others around you. Tree removal can come with a list of potential hazards. This is especially true for larger trees, but even small tree removal can be dangerous. The list of hazards can include electric shock, injury from falls, fire, and damage from falling branches or the trunk itself.
- o Do you have the proper tree cutting equipment? These should include protective gear, first aid, a sharp chainsaw or cutting tool, wedges, ropes, and a ladder.
- o Is the tree alive or dead? The characteristics of live and dead wood are quite different. Dead wood can cause a tree to fall in an unintended or unpredictable manner.
- o Where is the tree located and what surrounds it both above and below ground? This includes not only your own home and your neighbor’s home, but other structures like fences, sheds, and vehicles. Even if you are not planning on removing the tree stump, you should be aware of what may lie below the soil. Roots may have embedded themselves into a house’s foundation, wrapped around gas lines or water pipes.
- o Are there any regulations in your county? Are permits needed before felling the tree(s)?
- o Does your insurance cover damage or injuries cause if something goes wrong? This includes health and home insurance.
Cutting down a tree can be hazardous work, so VMG Tree Care recommends hiring a professionally trained and equipped professional. If you do not choose our company, then find someone who you are comfortable with. Keep in mind that even trained professionals put themselves in harm’s way when felling trees. In almost all cases of large tree removal, the risks of doing it yourself almost always outweigh the benefits.
