Things To Consider About Removing A Tree From Your Yard
Posted on: 12 May 2015
If you need to remove a mature tree from your yard, it's probably best to call a professional to do the job. Cutting down a tree is dangerous work. If you try to do it yourself, you could get hurt or damage your property. You could even damage your neighbor's property and end up with big repair bills or a lawsuit.
If the tree you want to remove is still fairly small, you might be able to do the job yourself with the proper equipment. Here are some things to consider about removing a tree from your yard:
Local Regulations
If you live in the city, you may not be allowed to remove a tree by yourself. There may be regulations in place that require you to hire a professional to do the job. There might even be regulations that prohibit you from removing a healthy tree. If it's allowed, you may be required to plant a new tree to take its place.
Since regulations vary among jurisdictions, be sure to call your city's office before you attempt to remove a tree. You could save yourself from being fined and having to pay fees for violating an ordinance.
Shut Off Power
If power lines run through the branches of your tree, it might be easier and safer to let a professional remove the tree. When the tree you need to remove is close to power lines, you should call the power company before you begin the work. They can come out and cut the power to the lines near the tree.
You'll probably lose power to your home for a few hours, but it's better to be safe rather than risk knocking down a live power line. The power company should be willing to work with you to prevent line damage by shutting off the power until the tree is down.
Fell Or Chop
If you live in the city, you may not have enough room to fell the tree. In that case, the tree will need to be chopped into pieces while it is still standing. This requires heavy equipment and chains to catch the heavy limbs. If you have enough room to fell the tree, you want to make sure you know which way it will fall. You have to consider the way the weight is distributed and the health of the tree. The tree could have dead or hollow areas inside the trunk that shifts the weight as the tree falls. Be sure you can get out of the way quickly if the tree doesn't fall the way you think it should. Even a small tree can do a lot of damage if it lands on your roof or your body.
Stump Removal
Getting rid of the stump is often the most difficult part of tree removal. Even a stump from a small tree is hard to remove because tree roots grow deep into the ground. You might be able to chop or dig up the stump, but then you'll have to dispose of it in some way. You may not be able to burn it if you live in the city. The easiest way to get rid of a tree stump is to rent a grinder. A stump grinder chews the stump into sawdust down to the soil.
Before you decide to remove the tree yourself, calculate the cost of renting or buying all the equipment you'll need. It may not cost a whole lot more to hire a professional to do the job. Plus, you can save yourself a lot of work and risk. If you attempt the job yourself, take proper safety precautions, especially if you have to use a saw while standing on a limb or ladder.
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