That towering tree in your backyard might look manageable. After all, what’s so hard about taking a chainsaw to a tree trunk? It turns out the answer is everything. Tree removal is a complex, risky task that should only be left to the professionals. Trying to remove a tree yourself can result in serious injury, hospital bills, denied insurance claims and expensive property damage that one simple service could have prevented. Removing trees is one of the riskiest jobs in landscaping due to the physics involved, which homeowners aren’t generally aware of. They imagine a clean break and swift fall. However, if they manage to cut down the trunk, they’re often left with partially collapsed trees, unexpectedly crushed roofs and unpredictable growth.
Falling Trees Aren’t Predictable
Many people think trees simply fall where you cut them, but this isn’t the case. A tree’s fall direction is determined by many factors, including its lean, height, weight, branch distribution, root structure, wind and the angle of the cut. You can have a different fall angle just by cutting the same tree on a different day.
This is why professional removal is crucial to safety and protection. Experts are trained to assess all the variables to make the best decision. For example, a 40-ft tree can create a fall zone of 60 ft in any direction. This puts homes, power lines, cars and people at risk.
The hazards of falling timber are far too great to cast aside or dismiss in favor of cheaper, DIY removal. Leave it to a professional who has the knowledge, skills and equipment to get rid of a tree safely.
Chainsaws and Gravity Can Cause Serious Injury
Something unexpected can happen when you use a chainsaw, and most homeowners who have never handled one don’t even know it exists. It’s called a chainsaw kickback, and it’s a sudden, potentially catastrophic upward rotation that happens when the blade catches. There’s often no time to react, and it can cause serious lacerations to your face, neck or arms before you even register what happened.
Using a chainsaw to cut down a tree, especially if you wield it overhead or on a ladder, is a recipe for disaster. And when you add gravity into the mix from tall-hanging branches, a stable limb can suddenly become a projectile. This can knock you off the ladder, fly into a house or hit a power line nearby.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, saw injuries harm over 36,000 people each year. You don’t have to be one of them.
The Benefits of Professional Tree Removal
When you hire a professional team, you’re getting expert service and built-in protection. Arborists know how to cut down trees without hurting anyone nearby. They protect properties and people, and they carry liability insurance specifically to cover any accidental damages. DIY jobs leave you at risk physically and financially.
Before cutting down a tree yourself, ask if it’s worth the risk. The answer is always no. Instead, look for reputable arborists near you, and let the professionals handle the job the way they’re trained to.
For dependable tree removal in Charleston, SC, contact Charleston Stump Stompers today.
