Do you love gardening but hate making expensive mistakes? Arborist Aboard, your reliable tree service in Tampa, FL, wants to save you some time and money. In this post, we’ll go over common tree cutting mistakes people make so you can avoid them.
Insufficient Planning
What’s the first step in safe and effective tree felling? You need a plan. You start by working out where the tree is likely to fall. You should ideally keep it clear of the following:
- Power and utility lines
- Structures
- Roads
The next step is to work out the escape route you’ll use when the tree starts to fall. If you’re unsure of any of these elements, it’s best to call a professional.
An Improper Evaluation
You need to ask questions like:
- Is the tree leaning in a specific direction?
- How tall is it?
- Does it have more branches on one side than the other?
These are all things that affect how and where the tree falls. You should also see if there are any places that are overgrown or if they are weak branches.
Where are the Utility Lines?
Is your tree growing near power lines? One of the worst tree-cutting mistakes is to try and deal with this situation on your own. Arborists will contact the utility company to get a basic plan for the power lines. They’ll also use specially insulated equipment to protect themselves.
Using the Wrong Equipment
One of the main reasons that DIY tree removal often fails is that people don’t have the right gear. Aside from the right chainsaw, you need a way to lower branches to the ground safely.
If you’re in a built-up area, you’ll need to remove the branches and then continue topping the tree. This allows you to bring it down in small sections so it doesn’t damage structures.
If you don’t have the right equipment, it could result in tree-cutting mistakes, such as branches splitting and crashing to the ground.
Incorrect Cutting Methods
It seems simple enough on paper. Start by making a v-shaped cut halfway through the trunk. Then, continue undercutting until the tree is holding on by a thread. Then gravity, or a good tug, will bring it down where you want it.
Unfortunately, overcutting at any stage can lead to a weak hinge. This means that the tree becomes unstable and might fall before it should, or it might fall in the wrong direction.
If you’re felling a large tree, you’re better off hiring professionals.
Not Dealing with the Stump
Does the thought of digging out the roots inspire dread? Don’t worry; as arborists, we’re not keen on the idea either. But you have to give it some thought, or your tree will start shooting up again.
One of the simplest methods of dealing with this is grinding the stump height to below ground level. You can also poison the roots. Whichever way you go, you have to do something.
Forgetting the Cleanup
The last step is one many people neglect and live to regret. Loose branches are a tripping hazard. Worse yet, you’ll have piles of wood and sawdust lying around. Termites and ants will move in, and this can cause issues for your home or other structures.
Also, you need to work out how to smooth over the stump remnants. You’ll want to add more topsoil so you can plant something new.
Contact Us for Expert Advice Today!
Have you made any tree-cutting mistakes and are wondering, “When is a tree considered dead?” Call Arborist Aboard at 813-920-4410 to schedule your consultation.
