What Not to Do When Felling a Tree?
If you’re considering cutting down a tree on your property, there are a few things you should consider. Cutting down a tree is a significant job that, if not done correctly, may be dangerous.
There are numerous things you should not do when cutting down a tree because you may injure yourself or damage your property.
To help you out, here are things given by tree removal services that you shouldn’t do when felling a tree:
Do not try to cut down the tree by yourself.
Trees are often tall and big, requiring more than one person to cut them down. Working together will make the work far easier and safer. When you are two, each person can work on a separate portion of the tree, such as chopping through the trunk or removing limbs. Cutting down trees with one person watching out for the other is also safer.
Don’t use the chainsaw unless you’ve had prior experience.
Chainsaws are powerful and can be harmful to inexperienced users. If you’re not familiar with chainsaws, it’s advisable to avoid using them.
Don’t cut the tree trunk too close to the ground.
The closer the roots are cut to the tree’s trunk, the greater the damage and harm. The 25% Rule states that roots should never be trimmed to more than 25% of a tree’s volume. This is because this may cause the tree to die or fall.
It is risky to cut a tree too close to the earth. In such a case, the tree’s total weight may be too great, causing property damage in the surrounding area.
Do not top the tree; this can damage it and increase the likelihood of it falling over.
Topping a tree can damage its natural shape and stability, making it more vulnerable to strong winds and storms. If you want your tree to remain healthy and safe, leave the pruning to professionals who are highly skilled and knowledgeable about cutting and pruning trees.
Do not cut branches bigger than your arm.
Do not trim branches that are larger than your arm. It’s not safe, and you may get gravely wounded. This is because the branch can fall on you or the neighboring property, resulting in accidents and injury. And you don’t want this, do you?
Do not stand beneath the tree as someone else cuts it down.
If you don’t want to be hit by a falling branch, avoid being beneath the tree while someone else is chopping it down. Standing to the side or backing away from the tree entirely is far better. When cutting a tree with a helper, be aware of each other’s whereabouts to avoid mishaps.
Do not attempt to catch a falling tree with your hands or body.
While cutting a tree or limb, it may move in unexpected directions, causing harm to nearby homes. It is better to let them fall than to try to stop them.
If you notice a tree falling, get out of the way. If you cannot move out of the way in time, consider using something else to block the tree, such as a piece of furniture or a large boulder. Never attempt to catch a falling tree with your hands or body, as this might cause significant injury.
Don’t leave the stump in the ground; remove it fully to prevent rot and deterioration.
Remove tree stumps altogether to avoid rust and rotting. This will help keep your property looking clean and tidy.
If you plan to cut down a tree, make sure you do so carefully and avoid these eight frequent blunders. With some planning and caution, you may safely remove a tree from your property.
Best practices when cutting down a tree
For you to have a great time bringing down a tree, there are several tips you should put into place. These tips include:
Use the right protective gear
Regarding cutting trees and operating chainsaws, safety is not a phrase to be taken lightly. You must take this seriously. There are a few extremely critical safety equipment items you must wear for any chainsaw work:
A helmet with a face screen and ear protection is a great way to protect your head, eyes, and ears. You should also wear steel-toed, cut-resistant boots and a long-sleeved shirt to avoid scratching.
Use good-quality tree-cutting tools.
Cutting down a tree is a difficult task that demands a powerful tool. Ensure your chainsaw is in excellent shape to keep you and your helpers safe during this project. While this is the case, if your saw is beyond repair, it’s best to replace it.
Take time to research.
Some people think cutting down a tree is a simple task that only requires grabbing a chainsaw and getting to work. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.
Do some research on how to cut down a tree securely. Before you start your saw, take a step back to assess the situation. Consider how you will cut each branch and what will happen.
I don’t think you will figure it out once the tree starts falling. Always plan for it beforehand.
Be ultra-cautious of rotten trees.
Leave rotting trees to the tree removal companies Chevy Chase. You should note that if the tree’s heart has rotted away, the felling direction can be exceedingly unexpected. Furthermore, it is likely to have many dead limbs above that could shake loose and fall on you during the cutting process.
As mentioned, don’t do the cutting if the tree is rotten. Instead, find a reputable professional to help you out.
Parting shot
These are some of the things you shouldn’t do when cutting down a tree and the best practices you should follow to have an easy time. If this is your first time doing the cutting or you have a large tree, don’t do it alone. Instead, hire a professional to help you out.