Do you have a tree on your property that you think needs to be removed? There’s a lot to know about how to remove a tree (as well as plenty of tree removal myths that need to be debunked). When you make tree removal mistakes, they can be detrimental.
In order to make the best decisions for your New England property, you need to be educated on what’s involved in this service including what to expect and when you should call in a pro.
Spoiler alert, unless you have tree removal training and experience, it’s really not safe to attempt to remove a tree yourself. Of course, if it’s a small tree removal, and you’re experienced working in the yard, it might be something you’re comfortable doing.
In this article, we’ll dive into what you need to know about the tools to cut down trees as well as when you should defer to a professional.
We will cover:
Effective Tree Removal Tools
When to Call in a Pro
Choosing Tree Care in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
At the end of the day, making wise choices for your property will help ensure you don’t have regrets later on.
Effective Tree Removal Tools
Here are some of the most common (and effective) tree removal tools needed to take down a tree.
Tree Shear
If your tree has low-hanging branches, a tree shear is the perfect tool. It’s a heavy-duty mechanical machine used to clear wooded areas and harvest unwanted trees. The tree shear is an ideal tool for small evergreen trees with most of the branches close to the ground.
Axes
Axes are one of the oldest and most trusted tools for removing trees because of their sharpness, precision, and ease of use. Axes have a small handle, making them easy to grip and maneuver. Double-sided axes are great for cutting down trees, while pickaxes can help pry tree roots out of the soil.
Crosscut Saw
Continuing with old school, crosscut saws have a handle on each end and require two people to operate. Each person should stand on either side of the tree and hold the saw at a 45-degree angle before sawing. Crosscut saws come in varying lengths, so choose the size that correlates with the diameter of the tree you want to remove.
Chainsaw
Chainsaws are one of the most versatile tree removal tools. A chainsaw has a running chain with sharp teeth to smoothly cut through thick and sturdy branches, providing a clean cut. Chainsaws come in various shapes, designs, and configurations. Based on your cutting needs, you can choose between a full-chisel and a semi-chisel chainsaw. You can also select the type of power source: battery-powered, electric, or gas-powered chainsaw. Gas-powered chainsaws are best for felling trees, while electric chainsaws are suitable for pruning trees and shrubbery.
Brush Grubber
You can use a brush grubber to uproot small trees instead of cutting them. A brush grubber is a simple-to-use tool with a clamp comprising metal jaws with heavy-duty spikes where the chain is attached to a towing vehicle. With the help of the vehicle's force, the grubber pulls the tree out of the ground.
Brush Mower
A brush mower is another heavy-duty machine used to mow saplings and small trees. It is a walk-behind lawnmower with a dull blade, used to whack through the thick woody brush, saplings, and smaller trees. It also allows you to chop up downed trees, leaving them mulched, saving you the hassle of dragging them away.
Stump Grinder
After you've successfully cut down the tree, you'll need to extract its stump, which can be difficult to remove since tree roots can run deep underneath the soil. Stump grinding equipment can handle this task. A stump grinder has rotating teeth that can quickly and easily dispose of a stump and its roots. Keep in mind that a stump grinder is a heavy duty piece of tree removal equipment that should only be used by an experienced operator.
When to Call in a Pro
Aside from small tree removal (such as a small ornamental tree) this is a service best left to a professional. Even with small trees and some of the equipment mentioned above, there are certainly many things that can go wrong (as well as hassles and headaches to deal with) if you tackle it on your own.
As we highlight in this article, DIY tree removal can be associated with hazards like falls or equipment accidents. The tree you’re removing also lends itself to a dangerous situation. There is a proper way to remove a tree. When a tree is going to be removed, it is first assessed and a plan is formulated.
In this case of mid- to large-sized trees, the tree removal equipment necessary also becomes more robust. You might need a crane or bucket truck in order to safely and effectively access the tree. A larger tree usually involves taking a tree down in many pieces in as safe a manner as possible. It might include lowering sections at a time.
Keep in mind, this list just scratches the surface of all the tools and equipment needed for safe and effective tree removal. Items ranging from safety and protective equipment to smaller hand tools to larger machinery such as mini skid-steers and cranes are all a critical part of a successful tree removal operation.
At the end of the day, it’s simply not worth the risk to property or personal well-being to attempt to remove a tree on your own.
Choosing Tree Care in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
Given some of the ways that things can go wrong with tree removal work, it’s important that you choose a professional tree removal service that prioritizes safety.
While it’s true that accidents and mistakes are much more likely to happen to a DIYer, that’s not to say that things can’t go wrong with a pro. However, any professional worth their salt has a robust insurance plan to cover all of the “what-ifs”.
This is why it’s so important that you do your research and choose a tree removal service that you trust.
When it comes to choosing tree removal services in Southern New Hampshire, Maine, and Northeastern MA, you have options. You’ll want to choose a tree care professional who has extensive training, experience, and skill so that you feel confident your tree will be removed safely and properly.
At Seacoast Tree Care, we work with a team of highly skilled Certified Arborists who can not only perform thorough inspections but will also ensure trees come down safely when they do need to be removed.
Need tree removal at your Southern NH, Maine, or Massachusetts home? Request your consultation and have your New England trees evaluated. By making a wise choice, you’ll know your trees are in good hands.
Image Sources: axes, stump grinder
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