Trees are an essential part of any property. They can be beautiful and provide shade but pose several risks. If a tree is unhealthy or a hazard, it should be removed.
Homeowners may be tempted to save costs by trying DIY tree removal. But this is a dangerous and potentially disastrous decision.
Cost
Trees are a lovely feature of any garden. They provide shade, purify the air, and add privacy to your home. But sometimes, trees can become a safety hazard and must be removed.
Tree removal is a risky task, and do-it-yourselfers must budget for several expenses related to the project. First, there are the costs of equipment needed to perform the job, such as a chainsaw, earplugs, and steel-toed boots. Next are safety gear costs, such as gloves, protective goggles, and a hard hat. Finally, there are the costs of a stump grinder and a wood chipper to remove the remaining debris.
In addition, if the tree falls on your home or a power line, you could incur significant damage expenses and fines from the municipality. Also, the tree may cause collateral damage to neighboring property, leading to costly out-of-pocket expenses and higher insurance rates. Furthermore, you may need formal consent from your neighbor or an official permit from the local municipality if part of the tree is on your property.
Safety
While painting a room or redoing your kitchen floor may be projects you can take on yourself, tree removal is one of the few home and landscape jobs that are best left to tree services. There are many dangers and risks associated with DIY tree removal, and even tiny mistakes can cause severe damage or injury.
To begin with, it’s crucial to evaluate the condition of the tree and its proximity to structures such as houses, sheds, fences, or power lines. You should also consider the size and direction of the tree’s fall zone. If the tree or limbs are close to a power line, they could cause severe injury or property damage.
In addition to identifying potential hazards, you should set up a safety perimeter and clear the area around the tree before beginning work. It’s also essential to ensure you have the proper equipment, including gloves, goggles, and a hard hat.
Experience
Tree removal is a dangerous and challenging process that shouldn’t have to be performed by anyone. It requires a high level of knowledge, expertise, and specialized equipment like chainsaws. Inexperienced DIY tree removal can cause property damage, injuries, and even death.
Inexperienced DIYers can also harm other trees on their property if they misjudge the location of a falling tree. Predicting where a tree will fall can be extremely difficult, especially when power lines or other structures are nearby.
Aside from the dangers of climbing and using a saw, attempting DIY tree removal can also be time-consuming. It could take weeks to clear your yard after removing a tree, whereas tree services can do the job in one day. This is mainly because professional arborists have specialized equipment, like a stump grinder, which grinds down the remaining stump after removing a tree.
Insurance
Attempting to cut down a tree yourself poses many risks. This includes injury to yourself and property damage. The risk of a tree falling on your house or car is the most dangerous. It’s also possible to get electrocuted by hitting power lines with a chainsaw. These are both situations that are generally not covered by homeowners insurance.
Inexperienced DIY workers can also cause unnecessary damage to surrounding trees. This can compromise their stability and lead to their death. Additionally, rash cutting can cause significant damage to the bark, limbs, or trunk of the affected tree.
If a tree is dead or damaged, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. This will prevent it from falling on your home, car, or other structures. Additionally, the professional will use various techniques to determine a safe landing zone and avoid property damage. Homeowners insurance usually covers fallen trees caused by fire, lightning, explosions, riots, aircraft, vehicles not owned by you, vandalism, or earthquakes.
