Why Your Safety is at Risk When You Handle Your Own Tree Lopping
Posted on: 31 March 2015
Tree lopping and removal may seem like a very easy task for any homeowner, and if you need a tree trimmed you may assume that you can save the cost of a professional landscaper by doing this job on your own. While a few small branches may be easy enough to remove, any lopping and trimming beyond this can be difficult and even downright dangerous. Consider a few reasons why your safety may be at risk when you try to handle tree lopping on your own.
1. Being on a ladder can be dangerous
Climbing a ladder can be very dangerous for homeowners, as they may not know how to keep them secure. Ladders actually need to be set up at a certain angle so that they don't slide out from underneath you or fall back at the top. Cutting a tree can also mean making your ladder less secure, as you may actually cut away at the part of the tree that is bracing your ladder.
A fall from a ladder is dangerous enough on its own, but when you're holding a chainsaw or other type of cutting tool it can be even more so. The cutting tool can fall on you or you can fall on it, causing even greater injury.
2. Falling branches can be dangerous
When cutting tree branches, it's easy to assume that they will just fall straight down from where they're cut. In truth, branches can sway and easily change direction when they fall. The weight of the base of the branch can pull it toward the tree trunk, or cause it to snap unexpectedly. Branches can also bounce off other branches as they fall, and this in turn can cause them to head in any direction.
This can be dangerous for you as you cut the tree but also dangerous for anyone on the ground. They may assume they're standing clear of the branches but could easily be hit by one and suffer injuries. You could also be hit while you're on the ladder or the branch can hit the ladder and push it right out from underneath you. This can happen even if you tie the branches and assume that you can direct their fall, as they're often heavier and more cumbersome than you may realize.
For these reasons alone it's best to have a professional landscaper or tree lopper, like those at Ashmere Tree Solutions, handle this job for you. This will ensure that the job is done right but also ensure your safety as well.
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