Why No Homeowner Should Ever Try Tree Removal on Their Own
Posted on: 10 April 2015
Removing a tree or trimming some branches may seem like an easy job for most homeowners, and they may assume that they can do this job on their own with a shovel or a ladder and chainsaw. However, while this job looks simple it's actually best left to a professional, especially if the trimming of the tree will be extensive. Note a few reasons why it's always good to call a professional contractor or landscaper if you have a tree that you need trimmed or removed from your property.
1. Your safety is at risk
Being on a ladder is dangerous enough for homeowners, but when you're on a ladder and cutting a tree, you increase that danger quite a bit. This is because it's easy to cut part of the tree or branch that is supporting the weight of the ladder, and it then slides out from underneath you. Falling off a ladder with a cutting tool is also very risky, as it can land on you or you might land on it, which could result in serious injury.
When cutting branches or the trunk of a tree, it's also easy to think you can control its direction as it falls but this is not always the case. Even if you tie the branch or tree and try to pull it as it falls, it may swing in a completely different direction than you expect or slide one way or another. You might get hit while on the ladder or it could hit someone on the ground. Branches can also bounce off lower branches or even off the ground, increasing the risk of you or someone else being hit.
2. Pulling up tree roots can mean pulling up buried wires and pipes
Before you dig up any tree for removal, your local city inspector may come out and mark off areas of buried pipes and wires. While it's good to know where these are so you can dig around them, this doesn't mean you can simply dig up a tree trunk and not cause damage.
Remember that tree roots extend over quite a large area, and pulling on a trunk even if it's in another part of your yard can mean pulling up pipes and buried lines. A professional tree lopper or landscaper such as Heritage Tree Care will know how to cut those roots from the trunk, or trim them from around pipes and cables before digging. This will ensure you don't do any damage to your property as the tree is being removed.
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