Trees have many benefits on your property. Healthy trees create oxygen, provide shade and beauty, and boost property value. However, trees can also be a potential threat to things around them, or they can be in the way. In certain circumstances, they need to be cut down. Some homeowners try to do this independently, but several common mistakes must be avoided.
Failing to Plan
The process of cutting any tree down requires preparation and planning. Before starting, you need a clear path where the tree can fall safely, with more than enough room from buildings and power lines. You also need an escape route if the tree falls in a direction you don’t expect.
Wearing the Wrong Things
When cutting down a tree, you need to wear proper safety gear. Sturdy footwear should have good tread. You also need eye protection, a hard hat, and gloves. Protective gear helps avoid injuries from sawdust, falling branches, and other hazards.
Using the Wrong Tools
The right tools are also necessary because the wrong ones complicate the process and put you in jeopardy. In addition to your safety equipment, ensure you have wedges, a handsaw, and a chainsaw available. If you don’t have them or don’t know how to use them, consider hiring professionals.
Leaving Branches Alone
Before you cut down a tree, identify any branches that might obstruct the eventual fall path. Remove them. Professionals might call this “limbing,” and they start with the bottom branches before moving up. Pruning all branches might be necessary for landscape health after the fact, depending on what you intend to do with the stump.
Making Bad Cuts
When cutting down a tree, it’s essential to follow proper techniques to ensure safety and control the direction of the fall. Incorrect cutting methods can lead to unpredictable outcomes, including injuries and property damage. Create a notch on the tree side you want it to fall on before making a horizontal cut right above the notch. Follow that with a cut on the opposing side of the tree. This makes a hinge that lets the tree fall in your chosen direction.
Being Impatient
Don’t rush things. You need attention to detail and a mindful approach. Otherwise, you risk mistakes that create accidents. Take your time with each step, and do each step in the appropriate order. That usually follows a sequence of assessing the surroundings and trees before creating a plan and preparing your equipment. Wear the appropriate protective gear and cut your tree down in a controlled manner for safety purposes.
Avoid All the Mistakes
Leaving a tree up that needs to come down can be a future risk to your family and property, but cutting it down yourself puts you at risk of commonly made mistakes. The best way to avoid all these mistakes is to hire professionals to handle things for you. When you need tree removal in Charleston, SC, reach out to Charleston Stump Stompers.
