Doing home and landscape projects on your own can be rewarding. But the truth is, it’s not wise turn every landscaping project into a DIY, especially if you don’t have professional experience and tools.
Is it wise to remove trees on your own? Read on to learn the truths behind tree removal Brisbane homeowners should know.
Why You Might Want To Remove Trees
Before actually uprooting a tree from the ground, it’s important to consider why you want the tree out in the first place. Aesthetic and landscaping reasons are valid reasons, but aren’t as urgent as the following:
- Your tree is encroaching on your neighbour’s Avoid legal disputes by keeping your landscaping within your own fence. No one enjoys intrusive neighbours. Prune trees before they start being a problem for you and your neighbours
- Your tree is a safety hazard to your family. If the tree has flimsy, unhealthy branches that easily break during a storm, you might want to remove it altogether to prevent any further hazards.
- Your tree is rendering your front yard or backyard uninhabitable. Don’t let a single tree dictate how you should use the outdoors. Can’t hold barbecue parties with a giant tree blocking the way? Cut it down to make room for what really matters.
- Your tree has signs of pests, critters, or disease. Check the tree’s trunk for cracks, pests, and signs of decay. Decaying trees don’t have the same structural integrity as healthy trees and could be a hazard over time.
How To Successfully Remove A Tree In Your Home
1. Ensure that the tree is within a reasonable height and diameter
Removing a tree isn’t as simple as picking out a weed or trimming the bushes. This requires professional experience and gear to pull off. If your tree is about ten inches in diameter and around ten feet in height, you can aim to remove it as long as you have proper gear. Anything with measurements above that should be left to a professional.
2. Check the perimeter of the tree
After inspecting how big the tree is, it’s time to figure out how to remove the tree. Look for obstructions in your space that may be affected by the work. Where is the tree leaning? A tree is never fully upright, and the angle its leaning towards is where the tree is likely to fall after being cut.
Remove any long branches before cutting off the tree to prevent it from getting caught up in windows, roof tiles, and other parts of your home. Secure ornaments in the yard and clear any obstacles where people could trip or fall.
3. Determine safety routes
In the event the tree doesn’t fall where you predict it would, make sure you know where to run when things don’t go according to plan. Escape routes are crucial when felling big trees; it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
4. Choose the right equipment
Aside from safety goggles and gloves, you should also equip yourself with a chainsaw or a handsaw to cut the tree. Secure the ladder firmly onto even ground before climbing up. Keep in mind that different sizes of trees require different equipment.
Most power tools have safety instructions and recommended uses in their manual. Check if your equipment is able to handle the size of the tree you’re planning to cut.
5. Cut the tree
Cut off main branches first to avoid hazards as the tree falls to the ground. Once you notice the tree falling, turn off the chainsaw immediately and move into a safe zone. Dig up the stump from the ground and transport it to a lumberyard or junkyard after removal.
Should I Cut My Tree Myself?
Tree maintenance is not an easy task, nor is it a safe one. As a rule of thumb, we only advise homeowners to cut their own trees if they don’t have to use a ladder or any kind of aid to reach the tree. Trees ten feet and above are still manageable to professionals, but can prove especially challenging to homeowners. As such, we recommend exercising caution when working with larger trees.
At the end of the day, tree removal requires experience, information, and proper equipment. In reality, the money you save hiring professional tree removal Brisbane homeowners trust is not worth the hassle of removing your own tree. When in doubt, trust a professional. When in doubt, contact Aussie Tree Solutions.
Stumped? Call Us Today
Hire a tree removal service you know you can rely on. Call us today for an obligation-free tree maintenance quote. Talk to one of our professionals and get expert advice on tree removal, cleaning, lopping and pruning.
*All tree work should be done in accordance to local council regulations. Before conducting any tree work please contact either your local council or tree specialists for the latest regulations. Aussie Tree Solutions are professional tree removal, pruning and maintenance experts. For any questions relating these services, please call Aussie Tree Solutions on 07 3351 1722.