Cutting down a tree may seem pretty straightforward, so many homeowners are taking the DIY route, perhaps to save some bucks. However, experts advise against DIY tree removal since it can lead to lots of dangerous and costly mistakes.
1. Using Unsuitable Equipment
Professional tree removal companies use the proper, highly efficient tools to remove trees. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about DIYers, who tend to rely on unsuitable and malfunctioning equipment to get the job done. Many DIY enthusiasts think all you need to remove a tree is a chainsaw, but this is never the case.
To safely remove a tree, you need to wear gloves, safety goggles, and earmuffs. You also need to have rigging equipment nearby to safely lower branches. The use of inappropriate equipment can cause an imbalance that, in turn, can lead to fatal accidents.
2. Not Clearly Understanding Gravitation
Experienced arborists have completed comprehensive training that involves the safe removal of trees in the summer. They can predict where a tree is likely to fall, depending on the angle at which it is felled. As a DIY enthusiast, however, you may not have this kind of knowledge. Also, you may not know just how heavy tree branches can be and the risk they carry when they fall on your property.
Some weekend warriors have failed to take the weight of the branches and tree into account, and this has led them to incorrectly estimate the center of gravity. You may not know how to use a rope and pulley to safely land tree branches on the ground. Ropes and pulleys tend to be heavy, so they need professional tree care workers for proper handling.
3. You Might Compromise Your Safety and That of Others
DIY tree removal not only compromises your safety but also puts others at risk of sustaining serious injuries. One study shows that tree care workers have one of the most dangerous and daunting jobs in the U.S. since they have to cope with slippery conditions, electrical wires, sharp equipment, and falling limbs. They also have to deal with heights, which adds to the risk. Factors like these have led to the tree care industry’s reputation as one of the country’s deadliest occupations.
To keep yourself and others safe, you need to accurately estimate where the tree you plan to cut would fall. After identifying the felling zone, you need to clear it to make sure no one is endangered. Experienced arborists are the only ones who have the skills and knowledge to perform these tasks properly.
Tree removal in the summer is a fairly complicated process that should be left to the experts. If you live in Kalamazoo, MI and are looking for professional tree removal, contact us at Five Star Professional Services LLC for a free service estimate.
