Tips & Steps to Prepare for Tree Removal

Last Updated on August 17, 2021 by woodcutter

A little while back, one of my neighbors had to cut down a big old tree and remove it from their yard. Unfortunately, the whole process did not go as smooth as they planned. Probably because they are inexperienced people who chose the DIY route and never properly prepared. The tree was old, branches were falling off and it was posing a risk to their playful kids and home.

Even though an old tree can hold some of our dear memories provide a good shade and maybe improve how our yard looks, time to cut it down will always creep up on us. However, without a proper plan, you could hurt yourself, someone or your property. The following tips are essential to follow when you’ve finally decided to cut down a tree from your yard. You should carefully follow them to avoid causing even more damage.

Key tips to prepare your yard ready for tree removal

Cutting down a tree is not rocket science at all. However, you should try to leave it to professionals. There are many things that could go wrong, things that can easily be avoided with professional help. It is highly advised that you find a professional tree cutting service or expert. You should really be focused on preparing your yard ready and I’m here to guide you through that process. Things you should do, how and what to inspect, what to look out for and everything in between.

1. Know your tree’s condition

Cutting down a dying tree is totally different experience as compared to cutting down a strong and healthy one. If your tree is dying from age, disease, or some other reason, it may easily fall off during the removal process. In addition, it may harm you, anyone else and your property if you not do it strategically. If your tree is still strong and isn’t dying, it will probably not fall easily, even if it’s a deep cut you’re going for. But either way: clear the area, of people, animals and your property.

You also have to make sure you check to see if your tree is hollow. Some tree may look strong and healthy on the outside while it might be hollow in the inside. To know this, you’ll have to knock on its bark and listen out for a hollow sound. If it produces that hollow sound, you’ll have to judge it as weak. Getting no sound means the opposite, and cutting it might be slow and harder.

2. Use proper tools

If you are going with the DIY route, this is a must read for you. Don’t just grab an axe and head out to do the job. The tree removal task shouldn’t be taken lightly. Don’t start with a deep cut, find a best telescoping ladder, use a portable chainsaw or an axe and make sure you put on protective gear. Avoid comprising, if you don’t have these you’ll have to buy or borrow.

You might learn that tools may not come as cheap as you thought they would be. You may not find the tools from your friends. If that’s the case, don’t try to be clever and use a hacksaw or anything like that, find a professional. If you still want to do it yourself, but you don’t have a budget for the tools, or you maybe you know wouldn’t need the tools again, it would be time to borrow from your neighbors. In addition, make sure the tools do not have any faults. Unreliable tools can be dangerous and they are totally risky. Make sure they are functioning just fine before you begin.

3. Clear your yard

It is very important to start cutting your tree when your yard is clear of everything. Make sure if the falls, there will not be anything that it might fall upon. Even if you do not want it fall off, just clear the area as if it were to fall. Make sure you have decided where you would want tree to fall to. Moreover, make sure you cut it remembering that, wherever it falls to depends on how you cut it. Also, make sure you see where the branches fall off to too.

Make sure there are no kids playing around, no pets or animals, no plants and structures (your house, car, etc.) that tree might fall onto. Keep in mind that children and pets are usually drawn to such activities and that means you need to make sure they can never have access to that area until you are done. Only the tree cutter should be allowed within the tree’s falling radius.

This part also includes cleaning up your yard. Before you dive into the next task, so make sure you’ve cleaned up the ground. Safely remove twigs, branches, barks and branches also.

There are common mistakes made when hiring an arborist

There are lots of things that could go wrong in the midst of such an activity. Hiring a professional arborist can save you from lots of regret. However, unless you are experienced at this, it can be easy to be manipulated by someone with a pickup truck and a chainsaw. Opportunists will obviously knock on your door and offer to remove the tree for you at low costs. It’s easy to look, act and present themselves like professional arborists.

Follow these tips before hiring for your tree removal process:

• Make sure they are licensed, bonded and they carry insurance coverage for property damage, personal injury, and proof of worker’s compensation.
• Make sure they are not using cheap equipment; they should have genuine equipment like a hydraulic boom, wood chipper, chainsaw and a proper truck. (In addition, protective clothing too).
• Get their contracts evaluated by a lawyer before signing.
• Do not be deceived by discounts.
• Do not rush to hire the first one, get quotes from more than one certified arborist.
• Make sure you ask the right questions, you need to help each other decide how, when and why it is best that your tree is removed.

Several tree service are near of you, but few of Tree Service Seattle removes trees safely.