Tips For Cutting And Felling A Tree

That tree in your yard needs to come down, but you’re not sure how to go about it. You know that it can be a big job, and the longer you leave it the more dangerous the tree can get. If this sounds like you, read on. Here at Advance Tree Pros, we’ll help you cut and fell that tree safely.

Assess The Job At Hand

Before you go about starting your tree removal, you’re going to need to assess the job at hand. How big of a job is it, really? A larger tree may not be possible to bring down alone, so you’ll need to be able to bring in others to help you. If you need equipment, it may be better to call us in instead to handle it for you. Be sure before you start that you’ll be able to see the job through safely.

Here are some tips that will show you that you’ll need to call in some experts to help you:

• Dead branches that are still attached to the tree, or are fallen but actually supported by lower branches. If you fell that tree, the branches will hit you.
• The tree is leaning to one side or has branches heavily concentrated on one side. It’ll all that way, despite your best efforts.
• There are things such as fences, power lines etc. in the felling zone.

If any of these are an issue, you’ll need to call in an Orlando tree removal service to get the tree felled safely.

Make Sure You Have The Right Safety Equipment

Before you even start trying to fell a tree, make sure that you have the right safety equipment. The most important thing you should have is a logger’s helmet. This should protect you from any falling branches, a common injury when felling trees. You’ll also need face protection such as a face screen and eye mask to stop anything that comes near your face and eyes, and ear protection. If working with a chainsaw, you’ll also need Kevlar chaps. These will stop the chainsaw if it drops near your legs.

Estimate The Felling Zone

Before you start cutting, you’ll need to know where and how far the tree will fall. Some people use the ‘axe handle trick’, where they hold an axe handle up, and back away from the tree until the top of it lines up with the top of the axe. Where their feet are should be where the top of the tree should end up.

If you know how tall the tree is, measure that space out on the ground. Remember, they can fall further than you’d think, so leave plenty of extra room just in case.

Clear The Felling Zone

You’re still not ready to fell that tree just yet. You’ll need to clear a path for the tree to fall on before you even start cutting, as well as two escape paths. These two paths need to be clear of debris too. This is to avoid any tripped hazards as you move away from the tree.

Ensure You Cut A Notch

A notch is vital in your tree, as it will guide the tree to fall in the direction you’ve planned. Cut it as low down as you comfortably can on the tree, remembering that you can always cut the stump down lower later on. Once the notch is in place, you can start making the felling cut on the other side of the tree to bring it down. When you’re doing this, it’s a very good idea to have someone watching you as you do this. They can help ensure your safety as you cut, and tap you on the shoulder when the tree begins its descent.

As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider before you even start cutting a tree. As with most things, safety always comes first. Get the right equipment, get a partner to help, and prepare the land before you even start cutting. If you’re not sure, please give us a call at Advance Tree Pros and we’ll help you get that tree removed for you.