Loading...

How To Keep Safe When Cutting Down Trees

Trees are wonderful additions to many landscapes. In several instances, they act as a focal point to the plantings. In addition to beauty, they add shade and visual pulchritude.  However, trees sometimes fall to disease, insects, fungal growth, or even natural disasters. If that occurs, and the tree is irrevocably beyond saving, removal may be necessary.

Whether you attempt to undertake the task yourself or hire a professional, perhaps using Edenapp or some other third-party service, it is imperative to know how to keep safe when cutting down trees or a single tree. Below is a guide that is applicable to both professionals and amateurs.

Keeping Safe Before Wielding a Chainsaw

A chainsaw is the classic tool to cut down a tree. Before you even pick it up, it is important to assess the condition of the tree. Look at the tree closely and ask yourself:

· How tall is the tree?

· Has it been attacked by insects? If it has been infested, this may weaken the tree in branches and limbs not visible.

· If it has broken branches that are attached or entwined with other branches?

· Is it leaning in one specific direction?

· What is close to the tree? A fence, structures, power lines?

Once you determine whether the tree is going to fall as directed without harming you, take the next step. If you cannot address the problems, call in a professional.

Cutting Down a Tree Safely

Whenever you undertake any job, it is important to have the right equipment. This includes wearing the right safety gear. Knowing how to operate a chainsaw is fine, using it in any type of work without protecting yourself is beyond foolish. To avoid accidents while cutting down a tree, be sure to wear the following:

· Protective headgear

· Earmuffs

· Face screen

· Safety glasses

Some professionals even recommend protective leg gear such as Kevlar chaps. These can stop a chain immediately if you are so careless as to drop the bar onto or against your leg.

Tree Removal

If the weather is agreeable and all the above are handled correctly, the actual process of removing the tree can be started. Professionals must follow the proper procedures to accomplish this task safely.

· Notch and Wedge: After determining which way the tree needs to fall, a professional arborist or landscape employee cuts a single notch into the tree. A wedge is then placed into the notch. This acts as a guide.

· Cutting: The actual cutting is done scientifically. It may involve scaling the tree, attaching ropes and cutting branches off in sections – particularly if a direct felling may result in damage to property, etc.

· Removal: This is the final stage. Once the tree is cut down safely, it becomes necessary to decide what to do with the tree. Depending upon the type of tree, it may be cut up for firewood. More commonly, an arborist, a landscaping employee, or someone else cuts the tree up into smaller components and remove it.

Keeping Safe When Cutting Down a Tree

In theory, cutting down a tree seems relatively straightforward. You take a chainsaw and cut it down. However, in actuality, this is not the case. Cutting down a tree is a dangerous job. According to the Tree Care Industry, not only do injuries occur, but fatalities happen. Even trained professionals have been injured when performing this task. Before you even touch a single broken branch, make sure you know exactly what you are doing, have the right equipment, and understand the process. If you have any doubts at all, use a third-party app such as Edenapp to get in touch with a professional. They understand exactly how to keep you and everybody else safe when cutting down trees.