When you have a damaged or diseased tree on your property, removing it is the best course of action. A dead or diseased tree is harmful for other trees in its vicinity. It may lead to other issues like insects, decaying soil, etc. Moreover, if a tree is structurally unstable, it can become a threat to the area surrounding it. If such a tree is close to the home, chances of it falling and damaging the property or people are high. Getting such trees removed is necessary. However, removing a tree is not easy. You need to check the size of the tree and make space for its removal. You also need to make provisions for disposing the logs of wood after removal. While tree removal is a necessary process, it is also expensive and challenging. Here’s a guide to ensure a successful and affordable tree removal process.
Why Choose Professional Services
While you can remove a tree from your property yourself, it is tough and would require a lot of strength, skill, and resources. Tree removal is a daunting process which involves proper inspection, and skills to use the tools involved. Moreover, you will also need the proper tools and the knowledge to use them. Why go through so much trouble when you can hire the right people to do it for you? Professional tree removal services will help you get rid of the tree in a systematic and organized manner. Here are the steps to take for a simple and easy tree removal.
Understand the Problem
The first thing you need to do is understand the problem with your tree. You should know what is wrong with the tree. Check if it is dying or has some kind of disease. If the disease is treatable, you can probably avoid having to remove it. You should also see if the tree is affecting any other plants or shrubs near it. If the tree is suffering because of an issue with the soil or anything else, it can be treated and salvaged. However, if the tree is beyond any recovery, the best thing to do is remove it.
Book a Consultation
The next step is to book a consultation with a professional tree removal company. A professional company will inspect the tree thoroughly and give you an estimate of the cost. Most tree removal services include cutting down the tree to a stump, cutting off branches and cutting the stump into small pieces. It also includes hauling away the branches. There are also other additional services like grinding the stump, chipping and hauling branches, trunk hauling, splitting, etc. However, these services may cost extra and depend on your requirements.
Clear the Area
The next step is to clear the area surrounding the tree. Removing a tree means you will need to clear the space to let it fall. You need to remove any vehicles or other objects near it. Keep the area empty and warn the neighbors of the same. Trees don’t always fall the way they are expected to fall. However, a tree removal company can use cords and other devices to tie a tree and make it fall where you want it to. Make sure your tree removal services make a proper escape route and direct the fall of the tree so that no property or people are hurt.
Start with the Undercut
Once the area surrounding the tree is cleared, the tree removal company will start cutting the tree. How the tree is cut depends a lot on the size of the tree and many other factors. However, the professional tree removers will know how and where to start with the cutting. Usually, they will start cutting at a 45 degree angle for an undercut. And then go to the other side for a cut above the undercut to put stress on the trunk. This stress will lead to the crashing of the tree. If the area is clear, the fallen tree can be easily cut down next.
Remove the Branches First
Once the tree falls, the next step is, obviously, to cut it down. However, going for the trunk directly is tough. The best way is to start with cutting down the branches first. The professional team working on the tree will always start with cutting the branches and hauling them away. This will give them room to work on the trunk next. If you’re hiring tree removal services, you should make sure they haul the branches away so that you or the neighbors are not bothered by it later.
Cut the Trunk into Smaller Pieces
Once you’ve hauled away all the branches, you can start working on the trunk next. Cutting the trunk is the most difficult and arduous task of the entire tree removal process. It takes a lot of time, energy, and resources. But once the trunk is cut down into smaller pieces, putting them away is easier. You should ensure the tree removal company has a proper plan of cutting down the trunk and hauling away the broken pieces. A good tree removal company will discuss with you all the details of their plan to remove the tree beforehand.
Reduce the Tree to a Stump
After cutting and hauling the trunk away, the next step is to reduce the tree to a stump. Once the tree is removed, it’s necessary to deal with the stump in proper time. If you leave the stump unattended, it can become a falling hazard. Shortly after cutting, the stump starts decaying and can lead to pests like termites making an appearance. You can do stump grinding immediately afterwards or a few days later. Most tree removal companies will ask for additional costs for stump grinding afterwards.
If a tree is dead or damaged, removing it is important to keep your property in good condition. Having a damaged or diseased tree removed will also affect the value of your property and make it look good. Make sure you go for a reputed, reliable, and experienced company for your tree removal services.
