WHAT STEPS ARE INVOLVED IN TREE REMOVAL

As a homeowner, there’s nothing more joyous than seeing your planted seed evolve into a big, lusciously green tree. 

But whether or not you take strict measures to keep your trees healthy, diseases and pest infestations are inevitable. While most people rely on chemical treatments, DIY solutions, and whatnot to treat diseases, you must know that they aren’t very effective. 

Moreover, if left untreated for a long time, other trees in the garden will be infected, and you’ll have to get rid of all of them. Of course, this sounds like a dreaded nightmare for every gardening enthusiast. 

So, whether your tree is struck by lightning, dying, or infected with fungus, it’s best to get rid of them.

And since not everyone is well aware of the steps involved in tree removal, we decided to curate a guide on the same. So, without further ado, let’s get started! 

What Steps Are Involved In Tree Removal

Out of all the gardening chores, removing a tree is perhaps one of the most challenging tasks for a homeowner. Besides the right equipment, you need to possess ample knowledge of removing trees from your property. That’s why novices must avoid removing trees by themselves, or they may end up hurting themselves and causing significant damage to their property. 

Having said that, we’ve enlisted the steps that are involved in tree removal, so you can pull off the task in a breeze. 

Step 1 – Inspect The Tree

More often than not, cutting small trees is much easier than removing large ones owing to the height and depth of their nodes. Also, a large tree will require a larger space to lay flat on the ground. 

So, make sure you examine the tree properly to determine which direction it is likely to fall. You should also keep in mind that decayed or infected trees usually collapse, and their branches can fall anywhere in the garden. Hence, you should consider all these aspects before starting the tree removal project. 

Step 2 – Clear The Site 

Before grabbing chainsaws or pole pruners, you will have to remove everything from the site that may get damaged due to the falling tree. So, make sure you remove all the potted plants, patio furniture, cars and every other item kept in your garden. 

In case you are removing small trees, you won’t have to remove everything from the area. However, for larger trees, it’s advisable to clear the site as much as possible because they take a lot of space.

We also suggest keeping the place as clean as possible so that you have enough space to move out from the site if things go out of control. 

Step 3 – Wear Safety Gears

Irrespective of the size of the tree, it’s important to wear safety gear before starting the tree removal process. Here’s a list of everything that you should have to ensure your safety while cutting trees. 

• Safety glasses
• Gloves
• Climbing spurs
• Saddles and harnesses
• A hard hat
• Nylon chainsaw protection pants 

Step 4 – Choose The Right Tool

Since there are plenty of tools that are used for taking the tree down, it’s important to choose the right one to pull off the task efficiently. And to decide which tool is best for the task at hand, you’ll have to consider the size of the tree. 

Ideally, a handsaw is enough for cutting the tree, but it won’t be the right choice for larger trees. If you have to pull down a large tree with thick branches, a chainsaw will be the best bet because it provides more leverage than the other tools. 

Step 5 – Undercut The Side Of The Tree

Moving on, grab your cutting tool and make a V-shaped notch into the side of the tree in the direction in which you want the tree to fall. While it’s recommended to cut at a 45-degree angle, you can make a 90-degree notch if you want. 

Also, make sure that the undercut is about one-fourth of the tree’s diameter. 

Step 6 – Make A Backcut

Now, move to the opposite side of the tree to make a backcut about two inches above the hinge area of the undercut. This will relieve the tree trunk of stress, allowing it to fall to the ground. 

Keep in mind that the backcut should always be higher than the undercut, or else the tree will fall in the opposite direction. 

Step 7 – Move Ahead

As soon as you make the backcut, move out of the way so that you don’t face any injury due to the falling of the tree. Also, don’t forget to turn off your chainsaw while escaping to prevent accidents. 

Another thing we’d like to mention is that most people stand at the base to see the falling tree. Of course, this is prohibited because there are times when the tree loses its balance and bounces rearward over the stump. 

Things That You Must Do After The Tree Falls On The Ground

While your tree is laying flat on the ground, there are certain things that you’ll have to do to remove it entirely from the garden. 

• Remove branches to make the tree easy to dispose of 
• Cut the log into pieces to haul it off your garden easily
• Dig the tree stump out of the ground to throw it away

Summing It Up

If truth be told, removing trees from gardens, backyards or other spaces is no easy task, unlike other home improvement projects. Of course, you may be tempted to save a few bucks, but one mistake can invite more trouble by damaging the property and compromising safety. 

While homeowners can remove small trees all by themselves, they shouldn’t take the risk of removing the large ones without proper experience. That’s because large trees are slightly challenging to handle and only arborists know the nous of removing them with care. 

Irrespective of whether you wish to receive a single tree or a few of them, reaching out to a waste removal company is the best bet. 

With that, it’s a wrap for today. Until next time, take care and stay safe!