Although tree removal is usually a last resort for tree service companies, it can sometimes be an inevitable part of homeownership. You work hard to maintain your trees healthy and happy, but there are times when you have to take down a tree or several. Tree removal is about protecting your yard and family from potential hazards.
If your tree removal needs are not aesthetic, it is likely that you will reach out to a professional about tree removal if you have concerns about trees in your yard. Take a look at the following tree problems and be sure to mention them to your tree professional before scheduling a tree inspection. A professional can help you determine whether your tree is in danger or not.
Are the trees dead, diseased, or in poor health? These trees can pose a danger to your home and family because they are more susceptible to falling and breaking than healthy trees. To protect your trees, you should remove any diseased or damaged trees.
Are you concerned about the space being crowded? Perhaps you are looking to clear some space in your yard or plan a construction project.
Are the trees too close to your house or other structures? Tree removal can also be recommended if the tree is too close to your home or any other structures.
Is the tree leaning towards the ground? A certified arborist should be called to evaluate the situation. The tree may be at risk of falling if there is a problem with its root system.
Is it a fallen tree? It is best to remove any fallen trees, particularly if they have fallen onto other trees. Find out who is responsible for removing the tree if it has fallen on property lines.
Tree removal can be dangerous and should only be left to professionals. When assessing your tree before it is removed, qualified tree care professionals will take into consideration the following:
The tree’s height
Nearby obstacles include your house, garage, powerlines, or neighbor’s home.
The direction in which the tree will fall
Unexpected problems during the removal process, such as rotting branches that could fall, can be caused by the removal process.
The equipment required for the job includes chainsaws and wedges, cranes and other specialized equipment, as well as the means to transport the downed tree away.
Do not attempt to remove a large tree by yourself. You pay for the expertise, speed, safety, and skill of a professional tree company.
Requesting a quote for tree removal
How much it will cost to remove a tree will depend on its size, condition, and whereabouts. Make sure to understand the costs before you hire a company.
Included. Tree removal can vary depending on which company you work for. It may include removing the tree to a stump, hauling the branches away, and then cutting the trunk into smaller pieces.
Other items not included. Additional costs may include stump grinding, branch chipping and trunk hauling.
Tree Removal Techniques
How the tree is removed will also depend on its size, condition, and location. Tree care professionals are trained to help you determine the best way of removing your tree, and to keep your home and other structures safe.
Tree felling
Felling refers to the act of removing a tree from its standing. Tree felling requires a lot of planning, as people or vehicles can be crushed if they are not careful. Learn more about tree felling in six steps
A professional will inspect the surrounding area before removing a tree. The tree’s condition will be checked by the professional. It is risky to cut down a dead or damaged tree because it could fall in unexpected directions or in an unpredicted manner.
The direction in which the tree will fall is determined by tree professionals. They will then plan escape routes and make sure they are safe if the tree falls.
Your tree care professional will usually use an undercut, back cut and then a final cut when it is time to remove the tree.
The undercut or notch is made on the tree’s side that faces the direction to the fall. A chainsaw is used by the tree professional to create a V-shaped cut in the tree. The size and lean of your tree will determine the depth and angle of the cut.
The back cut is on the opposite side of a tree, slightly above the bottom notch. The back cut doesn’t go through the entire tree. Instead, it leaves a small section of trunk that acts as a hinge between undercut and back cut. This section of the tree that is not cut helps to control the fall.
After the cuts are made, the tree will fall. Your tree pro will switch off their chainsaw and move quickly along their escape route. Once the tree is down, the limbing or bucking can start.
Limbing refers to the removal of tree branches (from a standing tree or a felled tree). Bucking is the process of reducing a felled tree into smaller pieces. It is much easier to remove large trees from a property by using bucking and limbing.
Tree removal by crane-assisted crane
Crane-assisted tree cutting involves removing a tree one by one and lifting it with a crane. This method is often used for large trees and in urban areas. Some companies have their own cranes, while others rent the equipment.
A tree care professional will climb into the tree to remove a crane-assisted job. They will wear a harness and any other safety equipment. Before a chainsaw can be used to cut the tree, each piece is attached with a rope or chain. The crane takes the section from the tree and places it on the ground.
Other times, the company may bring a bucket truck. The bucket driver will cut the material after another person wearing a harness attaches the trunk or limb to the crane.
You can find videos of this tree-removal method on YouTube. It’s very cool to see. Once you see it, the dangers of this tree-removal technique will be clear to you.
After the Tree Removal
Some companies will make firewood from the tree once it is removed. Ask tree care companies before you remove your tree if they offer this service. This is a great way to get more use from your tree after its usefulness has ended.
Removal of stumps
What are you going do with the stump now that the tree has been removed? It is possible that you will not want it to remain in your yard. It is possible for fungi to infect your trees and cause a rash.
A common method for removing stumps is stump grinding. A stump grinder is an industrial machine that has a rotating cutting wheel attached to it. As the steel teeth of the wheel grind the stump into smaller pieces, the arm moves the wheel along the stump.
Ask your tree service professional if the fine mulch from the stump grinding process can be kept. It is great for gardening and composting. The company may offer to remove the stump if you decide not to use it.
Ask your tree service company whether they will bring in topsoil to fill in the stump-grinding hole. Ask your tree service professional if you’d like to use this space for landscaping.
You can learn the basics of stump removal before you hire a tree service company.
The bottom line
Tree removal can be a difficult task.
If you are removing a tree that is more than a few feet high, it’s best to call a professional. They have the experience, equipment, and insurance necessary to safely remove trees.
Talk to your tree service professional about what happens after the tree has been removed. If you need firewood or mulch or want the stump removed, it is important that you ask.