How to Prepare Your Yard For Tree Removal

Tree removal is an important decision to make when you have a damaged or unhealthy tree in your yard. It can open up space for other landscaping features, improve your home’s curb appeal and prevent damage to other structures or plants. However, the cost of removing a tree can be high and you should carefully weigh all options before making your final decision. The location of the tree, its condition and other factors can impact the cost of removing it.

In general, it is best to hire professional tree removal services for large or complicated trees. The process of removing a tree requires the use of heavy equipment and complex maneuvers that can be dangerous for inexperienced individuals. For this reason, you should always consider the safety of your property and your neighbors before hiring a tree removal service.

Before you hire someone to remove a tree, ensure that they have all the necessary tools and personal protective equipment. You should also prepare the area where the tree will be removed by clearing low limbs, moving vehicles and taking down fences. You should also remove any lawn furniture, potted plants, toys and other items from the area to prevent them from being knocked over by the tree or the equipment used during the removal process.

If you have a small tree that isn’t in a hazardous location and you have the proper equipment, it may be possible to remove it yourself. However, you should be aware that this can be a very dangerous task and that it is recommended that you only attempt it if you have experience with using chainsaws. You should also wear the appropriate safety gear, including gloves, hard hats, eye protection and ear protectors. It’s also a good idea to have a lookout on hand, someone who can help you monitor the tree and alert you when it starts to fall.

To begin, you’ll need to identify the type of tree you have and its height. Generally, trees that are 30 feet or less tall are considered to be small, those that stand between 30 and 60 feet are medium and those that are 60 – 80’ are large. Once you know what type of tree you have and its height, you can start preparing it for removal.

Begin by removing all the branches that extend above the ground with a chainsaw. Then, cut the trunk at a notch that’s about 1/3 or 1/4 of the tree’s diameter. If the tree is too big to fall safely in one piece, you can notch it again at about 10 feet above the ground and saw it into smaller sections for easier transporting or storing.

In the case of a diseased or dead tree, you may have to grind or dig out its stump with a stump grinder. If the roots are extending outward across sidewalks or driveways, this will be necessary to keep them from causing damage. If the root system is invading your house or foundation, you can try to break up the roots by digging around the base of the tree with a shovel and hand tools. If that doesn’t work, you may need to call in a machine to dig up the stump.