Cut down dangerous dead trees instead of risking damage
Dead trees are intimidating because it can be difficult to determine whether to leave or cut them down. If you’re ready to remove the dead tree, knowing who to call to clear away dead trees is the next step. Let’s review the best type of tree professional to hire to remove dead tress from your yard.
Working with a professional tree removal specialist in your area when you need any tree work done is almost always a must. Cutting down trees, whether they’re dead or not, can be dangerous, so unless you have prior experience and the proper insurance, the reasons to hire a tree removal pro far outweigh the DIY route.
Consider hiring a pro to help you with your tree removal, as they can provide the following:
Expertise: Tree removal pros are trained in the art of tree trimming, cutting, and disposal. A tree removal company has years of experience with dead-tree chopping, making the process go much smoother.
Proper safety protocols: Tree cutting is a dangerous job, and tree removal pros are trained to know how to deal with tricky situations. They’ll put the proper safety protocols in place to prevent any damage to your property or the other workers.
Bring their own equipment: Not all trees can be taken down safely with just a chainsaw. Tree removal companies have lifts, ropes, and other specialty tools at their disposal.
Carry their own insurance: Your homeowners insurance doesn’t likely cover injury due to tree removal, even if it occurs on your property. Tree removal pros have their own business insurance, so if any injuries should happen, you won’t be on the hook for the medical bills.
Disease identification: Your tree is dead for a reason, like damage from a storm or a larger issue like disease or mites. Tree removal pros can likely identify these issues so you know if any other trees are in danger.
While it’s possible to cut down a tree yourself, removing a dead tree on your own isn’t a good idea. If you don’t have specialized training or experience with cutting down dead trees, you should strongly consider working with a professional to avoid injury, property damage, or incorrectly cutting down the tree.
There’s one exception: if a dead tree has already fallen. If the tree falls in an easy-to-access place and poses no other risk, anyone with some experience with a chainsaw can cut the tree up. However, dividing the tree into pieces is a long and tiring process and you still have the remnants of a tree in your yard.
Arborists may have as much experience working with trees as tree removal pros, but in a very different way. Think of arborists as tree doctors; they study and care for trees by diagnosing them with tree disease, planting them, and safely removing trees to prevent the spread of disease.
You can hire an arborist to clear away a fallen or diseased tree in your yard, but they might not have the tools, skills, or experience necessary to remove a large, dead tree. Since arborists specialize in diagnosing and caring for trees, they might not have the specific experience and team necessary to clear away dead trees. If you’re considering hiring an arborist for this task, be sure to ask them questions about their prior experience using the tools required to cut down a large, dead tree.
When a tree removal pro shows up to help you clear away dead trees, the process is relatively straightforward.
Assess the situation: Tree removal pros assess the dead tree and its surroundings. They identify potential risks, such as nearby structures, power lines, or other trees. They’ll then develop a detailed plan, taking into account the size, location, and condition of the dead tree. This step is also when they’ll provide the tree removal cost.
Set up safety precautions: Before starting the removal process, tree removal pros set up safety measures to protect themselves, their crew, and the surrounding property. They’ll ensure crew members wear protective equipment and set up any harnesses or other fall protection equipment.
Upper branch removal: If necessary, the tree removal pro will climb your tree or use a truck lift system to get themselves to the top. Climbing pros use specialized equipment, including ropes and harnesses, to ascend the tree. They start by systematically removing the tree's branches, starting from the smaller ones and working their way down to larger branches.
Top trunk removal: Once the branches are cleared, tree removal pros focus on the upper section of the tree’s trunk. They’ll remove the tree's crown or top portion, reducing its overall height.
Trunk sectioning: Tree removal pros then work their way down the tree trunk, sectioning the tree into manageable pieces. They’ll use chainsaws and other cutting tools to carefully control each cut, and use rigging techniques to lower sections of the tree safely to the ground.
Stump removal: Depending on your preferences, the pros may also remove the tree stump. The pros may eliminate the stump through grinding or excavation.
Clean-up: Tree removal pros clean up the site by removing debris and wood pieces. They ensure that the area is left in a safe and tidy condition. Debris is often thrown through a wood chipper or brought to a recycling area where the wood can be repurposed.
