How to Safely Cut a Tree

Whether it’s for aesthetic purposes, safety or the health of a tree, trimming and cutting trees is a necessary part of any property care routine. However, tree cutting can be dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken. This article provides tips on how to safely cut a tree.

Before you start chopping, check that no power lines are nearby. Felling a tree that is near a power line can cause injury and even death. If you find power lines in the vicinity of the tree, call the utility company to have them removed before you start working.

When removing a large tree, begin at the base and work your way up, taking breaks every 15 to 30 minutes to prevent heat exhaustion. Always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes, and use a hard hat to protect your head.

Before attempting any cuts, carefully examine the tree for loose or dead branches that could fall and strike you or other people. Loose limbs are a common cause of serious injuries and deaths in felling accidents. If the tree is leaning in a dangerous direction, it’s best to hire a professional logger rather than trying to save it yourself.

Examine the tree for a rotten base, and make sure that there are no roots exposed. This is a sign of a bad root system that can cause the tree to fall later. If the tree is rotted, it should be buried to avoid the risk of falling and damaging your home or other structures.

To avoid a hazardous situation, remove all branches that hang down below the height of your ladder. This will help prevent limbs from breaking and falling in windy or stormy weather. This is especially important if the tree is located near your house or other structures.

When pruning a small tree, you can often leave the stubs behind if desired. This allows for the growth of new branches, and it also makes the log easier to move around. However, for larger trees, it’s best to cut the stubs as close to the trunk as possible to make the log easier to roll or drag.

The most important part of a tree cutting is to make a clean, accurate cut that will compartmentalize naturally. A good way to do this is by finding the branch collar, which is the area of thicker stem tissue that surrounds the base of a branch. You’ll know it’s there because the area will be a little more swollen and have rougher bark than other parts of the trunk.

Once you’ve found the collar, make a notch cut at an angle, from the front of the tree to the apex of the notch. This will determine where the tree will fall once it’s felled. Next, cut a back cut that connects with the apex of the notch for a guide when making your final cut. Once you’re ready to fell the tree, pull out the chain brake and slowly walk away from it along one of your escape routes, never taking your eyes off of it.

from Sunshine Coast Tree Lopping Caloundra https://ift.tt/ra6MpND