Removing trees used to be extremely dangerous. Workers secured tree branches with ropes and cut them away with manual saws. They prayed and held their breath in hopes that the ropes could support the weight of the crew and the branches. Arborists now use tools and techniques that are a whole lot safer.
How Tree Removal Worked Back Then
Taking down a tree in the early 1900s was grueling because it required an enormous amount of time and labor. Arborists would use two-person crosscut saws, which they nicknamed misery whips. These saws got that name because the workers had to hold them and pull them back and forth for hours to cut one branch, which led to extreme exhaustion.
Manila ropes were used to secure branches and workers, but safety harnesses didn’t exist, so one wrong move could wind up being catastrophic or fatal. These ropes were also prone to rot over time and sometimes would come apart while workers were up in the tree. Problems became especially serious when the tree was decaying because the branches could snap and fall out of control, damaging property and hurting people. Workers also had to physically climb up into trees because they did not have cranes to assist them.
How Tree Removal Works Today
Work really got easier with gas-powered chainsaws. These chainsaws are light enough to be carried by one person and can get the job done within about 15 minutes. Ropes are now constructed from synthetic materials, which makes them much stronger than earlier versions that were plant-based. Climbers make sure they are secure with special knots and metal carabiners, and some even work from inside crane-supported platforms. The crew wears safety gear, such as harnesses, chainsaw-resistant pants, protective helmets, and safety gloves to reduce the risk of injury.
Securing tree branches with ropes is not the only strategy. The crew can also attach them to the crane cable and safely lower them to the ground so that there is no risk to the people and property nearby. Branches are then fed into remote-controlled woodchippers to be turned into mulch.
Stump grinding is not typically part of the tree removal process, since it is usually a separate service. But mechanical stump grinders can remove stumps effortlessly if homeowners request this be done.
Tree removal has evolved into a trade that is far safer and more efficient than it was years ago. Today’s tools and techniques protect both the crew and the surrounding property, and much of what once would have been hauled away as waste is now repurposed into mulch. The industry will continue to evolve to make the job easier and the environment cleaner. If you live in Charleston, SC or a surrounding area and need tree removal services, make your first call to Charleston Stump Stompers.
