5 steps of tree removal

Tree removal can be a complicated and dangerous task. If you need a professional tree service company to help you safely and efficiently remove a tree, here is an overview of what you can expect.

Determine if tree removal is necessary for human safety, aesthetics, or the tree's health.
Clear the perimeter. The direction a tree will fall can be unpredictable. The arborists will scour the area to make sure nothing is in danger of being crushed and to ensure the tree will not touch live electrical wires.
Develop a plan. After the arborists have estimated where the tree will fall (according to the tree’s natural lean and the angle of the cut to be made), they will create a plan to keep everyone safe. They will also have a contingency plan in case the tree falls in an alternate direction.
Make the cut: A sharp angled cut will be made on one side of the tree, then cut from the other side to force the tree to fall in the designated direction.
Stump removal. Some tree services will leave the stump unless you specifically ask for its removal.

Tree removal is a high risk, multi-person job. Trained professionals with the correct equipment should only attempt it. If you think your tree needs to be removed, contact an accredited tree service near you.

4 signs your tree is sick

A sick or dying tree is more than an eyesore. It could potentially become hazardous and require a tree removal service. Sick and dying trees can fall onto homes, block roadways, or carry diseases which can be passed onto nearby trees. Here are four ways to tell if your tree is sick:

Dead leaves: Leaves should only fall in autumn. If you notice an increase in dead leaves or bare branches, it’s possible a fungus or disease has attacked the tree.
Falling branches: Branches that fall without warning pose a danger to those below. If limbs are falling off, it is only a matter of time before the rest of the tree falls as well.
Holes in the trunk: While some animals can burrow into a tree, the most likely cause of a large hole in the trunk is disease.
Rot or fungus on the bark or roots: Though it is often easy to miss unless you take a closer look, many of the first warning signs of a sick tree begin at the bark and roots. Check for flaking, rotting, or brittle bark. Roots should be firm and undamaged.

Sick trees can be saved if the problem is addressed quickly and efficiently. If you believe your tree may be sick, search for an accredited tree service near you to find the care it needs.

Dangers of DIY tree pruning

Professional tree services know how to correctly and safely remove limbs from a tree. Some homeowners prefer to handle minor pruning on their own. So, where does DIY pruning turn into requiring a professional tree service’s help? Generally, DIY pruning can be attempted with proper equipment and safety precautions. Those seeking to DIY should always:

Prune in small amounts. Most professional tree services recommend removing no more than a third of the tree at a time.
Only use shears to remove branches.
Cut from the bottom to the top. Thin the branches then focus on shaping the limbs.

Minor pruning of tree limbs can be safely attempted. However, homeowners should not attempt to prune large branches with a chainsaw. They should not use a ladder or climb the tree to reach branches high above the ground. Accidents can occur from misuse of equipment, falling from heights, or branches falling onto an electrical wire, person, or vehicle. Additionally, large branches could be too heavy to remove from the grounds.

If your tree requires more pruning than what you can safety remove with shears, search our list of accredited tree services near you.

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