Why you shouldn’t cut down your own trees

In order to save a few pounds, it can be tempted to try to deal with troublesome trees on your property by yourself. However, getting rid of trees can often become dangerous, even if the job looks straightforward. A lot of garden work seems generally harmless, but the elimination of trees often requires specialist knowledge of physics, hazardous tools, advanced cutting methods and a lot more. Homeowners tempted to try to remove trees without expert help could be injured by falling limbs, broken equipment, or the tree itself.

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The various risks involve include, but are not limited to:

Power lines – Doing any work near electricity always comes at a risk. It is essential to always assume that wires, cables and lines are live. If you, your equipment, or a tree hits a power line, you might knock out the power to your neighbourhood – if you’re lucky! Most likely, you will be electrocuted. There is a common myth believed by many homeowners that is wires have a black coating, they are safe and insulated. This is totally false. Black coating on electrical wires is weather-proofing for metal wires. You can still get electrocuted through the weather-proofing!

Wrong equipment – Health and safety laws require that tree surgeons wear protective gear from head to toe. Tree care professionals are also trained in the use of equipment such as safety ropes, chain saws, cranes and woodchippers to safely fell and dispose of the tree parts. Homeowners will need all this equipment – and the expertise required – to conduct successful and safe removal. Without it, they expose themselves to unnecessary risks and high danger.

Wood rot – A dead or dying tree is often rotten from the inside out, making it very unstable and difficult to see from the outside of the trunk. Even professionals sometimes use a crane to remove dead wood. Should you suspect your tree is showing signs of rot, contact an expert to deal it before it falls without warning. There is a critical biological process in understanding when to remove a rotting tree, so that professional help is always needed. For an Essex Tree Surgeon, visit a site like Benchmark Landscape Essex Tree Surgeon.

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Gravity – Once you begin to fell a tree, you have no control over where it goes. It also may not fall as you’d expect, even if you are trying to influence the direction carefully or using rope. Bad judgment at this stage can result in a tree crashing into your home, power lines or you!

To conclude, homeowners should never attempt to remove a tree on their property without expert assistance. It is not worth the risk and is likely to cause more problems than it solves. If you have a tree that needs to be removed, find a quality tree surgeon in your area. A professional arborist can determine the best way to remove your tree safely.