Why You Shouldn’t Cut Down a Tree Yourself

Doing things yourself (DIY) is becoming increasingly popular. Therefore, it's unsurprising that amateurs have taken over skilled tree removal experts. Videos depicting people chopping down trees with aplomb, using chainsaws like loggers, and extolling the advantages of self-sufficiency abound on the internet. There's no disputing the allure of doing things alone, but cutting down trees has several hazards you should be aware of. In this post, we'll talk about the risks of tree pruning on your own and why hiring a professional is usually better.

The splendour of nature and trees in our city and country settings cannot be emphasised. Trees help us breathe easier by producing oxygen, provide a haven for wildlife, and help us relax and rejuvenate. However, felling a tree isn't as straightforward as it may first look. Taking down a tree requires knowledge of the science, safety, and law that goes into it, not just the ability to wield a chainsaw.

As we explore this issue, we will discover the dangers inherent in do-it-yourself tree cutting, such as the absence of experience, the possibility of safety concerns, the damage to property, and the vast unintended environmental implications. This blog clarifies these topics so that you may make educated decisions about the trees in your yard and community. Let's take a deeper look at the fad and the potential concerns that may make you think twice before you don your logger garb and head out to the backyard with a chainsaw.

Risks of Do-It-Yourself Tree-Removal

You've had an easy target out your window for an entire year; it's time for the tree to go. Though it might appear easy initially, felling a tree is a multi-step operation. Doing it right and, more crucially, safely calls for prior expertise and education.

To fall a tree, one must do more than hack away at its trunk and watch it tumble to the ground. Do-it-yourself (DIY) tree removal has its risks and complications. DIY tree removal is risky and may lead to more issues than it resolves. Before you grab your chainsaw, consider the dangers involved and why hiring a professional team is better.

Wrong Equipment

A severe accident might occur if improper tools are used to cut down a tree such as dull chainsaws, axes, or pruners. You'll fall over easily if your tools aren't up to par, especially if you don't have all the necessary safety equipment. It would always help to use proper safety equipment when felling trees, including a harness, safety gloves, hard hat, safety glasses, and chainsaw pants. If you don't have the money to invest in the safety clothing and equipment necessary for this job, it's best to leave it to the experts.

Damage to Property

DIY tree removal comes with a high potential cost due to property damage. You could lose your car, house, or neighbour's property if you don't know where the tree will fall. The property damage will result in high repair costs and higher insurance premiums.

Penalties

If a tree extends onto a neighbour's land, you may require written permission or a permit from the local government before chopping it down. You could pay a hefty fine if you don't get the required permissions.

Failure Due to Human Actions

DIY tree removal has a high risk of injury and property damage due to inexperience, lack of knowledge, and carelessness. As a result of a lack of training and experience, inexperienced tree cutters pose a greater risk of injury to themselves and others than certified arborists.

Messy Disposal

After removing a tree, it is easier to clean up and move the debris if it has been cut into smaller pieces. It could take you weeks to transport away all of the tree's debris if it's big and you're doing the removal on your own. Therefore, the cleanup for a task that was supposed to take one day could take many days or weeks.

Risks of Tree-Cutting Licences and Laws

If you have a tree on your property in Melbourne, you may wonder if you need to follow any specific tree restrictions. If you're in Melbourne, Australia, and want to cut down a tree, you must be aware of a few things to avoid breaking the law.

Tree Preservation Orders are a tool for local governments to use to ensure trees' safety in their jurisdiction. These Tree Preservation Orders sometimes ban any lopping, chopping down, ring barking, damaging, or wilful destruction of all trees under their protection, making it impossible to achieve your goals with the tree on your land. Unless permitted by the local council, removing any tree listed on a Tree Preservation Order is illegal.

If you own property that includes a tree and you're thinking about cutting it down, topping it, poisoning it, cabling it, or doing anything else that could be termed "wilful destruction," you should probably wait. Before doing anything to a tree, you should contact the local municipality to determine if it is subject to a Tree Preservation Order. Even if you have private property rights, it is usually the best course of action to check with the local council before making any changes to the tree on your property. The penalties for violating a Tree Preservation Order are high, making it impractical in the long run.

In many locations where local councils protect trees, most trees on private and public property are protected by a Tree Preservation Order, so you must verify this before taking action.

Why Professional Tree Removal Is Important

Handling tree removal oneself is risky. Without proper equipment and experience, you could fall and damage yourself. You can always hire professionals. Experts know what to do and have the equipment to remove trees quickly. These experts can also bring equipment to remove some of your yard's trees.

Professional Tree Removal Is a Time- And Cost-Efficient

A reliable tree removal service relies on a crew of experts with the tools, knowledge, and experience to clear the area quickly. They're savvy with handsaws, chainsaws, safety gear, and ladders, all necessary for efficient tree removal. Depending on the tree's height, they can either fall it entirely in one shot or trim branches off to reduce weight before bringing it down. They use safety equipment to make sure the tree doesn't collapse when they prune it.

Limits the Risk of Damage to Property

Clearing the area, assessing the tree, planning escape routes for falling branches, prepping the tree for removal, cutting the tree in half, and cleaning up afterwards are all standard parts of a tree removal service. Hiring a professional service will prevent your home's structure, walls, walkways, and driveway from being damaged by falling branches and girdling roots.

Ensures the Safety of Various Other Plants and Bushes

When removing a tree, it's essential to take precautions to protect other plants and bushes in the yard from falling debris and branches. Hiring professionals means that after the trees are removed, the shrubs and plants will also be cared for. The professionals will trim the tree and remove the debris to ensure no branches fall on your property. They remove limbs from an unusually growing tree to create a more stable framework. Then, they remove the stem so the tree can fall naturally without damaging the surrounding vegetation.

Guarantees the Safety of Your Loved Ones

DIY tree removal may seem like a simple task. Still, it poses severe risks to your health and safety. Instead of trying to save money by doing it yourself if you don't know what you're doing, it's better to leave tree cutting to the professionals with the necessary training and equipment. When accidents occur, the costs of repairs are covered by the professional company's bond and insurance. DIY projects that enlist the aid of a friend or neighbour do not come with any such assurances. One of the most compelling arguments for using a tree service is the insurance they provide.

It’s a Time- And Money-Saver

One major perk of hiring a tree removal service is that you won't have to spend money on expensive tools and safety gear. An experienced crew will arrive with the necessary gear to cut down trees with minimal impact on your home or garden. Taking down a tree is a labour-intensive job requiring much time and energy. Hiring professionals may help you do the task promptly without worrying about how many hours you must invest in tree removal.

Maintenance and Upkeep of Trees

Transplanting

The procedure is the same whether digging a tree out of a ditch or transplanting one you've already planted. Transplanting is best done in the early spring before buds break or in the late fall after leaves have fallen.

• Ensure the transplant's root ball is at ground level before placing it in the hole.
• Use the original soil to fill in two-thirds of the planting hole. Compact the soil and water lightly. The remaining hole should be backfilled with soil and then carefully watered.
• When the soil is dry, water plants and shrubs. In the first year after planting a tree or shrub, it should not be fertilised.

Watering

Providing newly planted or transplanted trees with enough water may be the most crucial thing you can do to ensure their survival. Transplant shock, parasites, and diseases can do more damage to a drought-stricken tree.

• For the first two years following planting, the tree needs consistent watering. For trees to get established, they may need to be watered for up to four years.
• It is recommended to water trees once a week. Repeated events should be spaced further apart when it's raining and vice versa when it's dry.
• The best time to water trees is first thing in the morning.

Fertilising

Fertiliser is not always necessary for trees. Fertilisers will not revive a sick tree but will boost its growth potential. Care must be taken when applying fertilisers since too much of it might have a negative effect.

• Do not apply fertiliser right before planting.
• The first time you should apply fertiliser is at the start of the second growth season.
• Always apply at the recommended rate and according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Pruning

Trees need regular pruning as part of their upkeep. Pruning is widespread for several purposes, including safety, aesthetics, and improving tree structure and growth. Due to the lack of leaves, the tree's structure is more easily seen during this dormant time, making it ideal for pruning. This is also a season when illness and pests are uncommon.

Possible Reasons for a Pruning Session:

• Trim off the Troublesome Branches
• Cut down infected or broken branches
• Take down branches that are crossing each other
• Allow more air and light in.

Guying and Staking

Newly planted trees can benefit from staking and guying for support, but this is not always essential. The act of staking or guying a tree may stunt its growth.

It should be done only when a newly planted tree needs additional support (such as staking or guying). In windy areas, it may be necessary to provide temporary support for large conifers, bare-root trees, and trees cultivated in small containers with loose potting mix while their root systems develop.

Conclusion 

DIY tree removal is gaining popularity due to its simplicity and ease of use. However, it comes with several risks, including the lack of experience, potential safety concerns, property damage, and environmental implications.

Wrong equipment, such as dull chainsaws or pruners, can lead to severe accidents and injuries. Proper safety equipment, such as harnesses, gloves, hard hats, glasses, and chainsaw pants, is essential for safe and effective tree removal. If you don't have the money to invest in these items, it's best to leave it to professionals.

Damage to property can be high due to improper tools, leading to high repair costs and higher insurance premiums. Penalties may apply if the tree extends onto neighboring land, and failure due to human actions can result in injury and property damage.

Messy disposal can also be a concern, as large debris can take weeks to transport away. Tree Preservation Orders are a tool used by local governments to ensure tree safety, and removing any tree listed on them is illegal unless permitted by the local council.

In Melbourne, Australia, it's important to check with the local municipality before making any changes to a tree, as violating a Tree Preservation Order can result in high penalties. Professional tree removal is crucial as it requires proper equipment and experience, and experts can remove trees quickly and efficiently.

Professional tree removal is a time- and cost-efficient solution that relies on a team of experts with the necessary tools, knowledge, and experience. They can either fall the tree entirely in one shot or trim branches off to reduce weight before bringing it down. Hiring a professional service minimizes the risk of damage to property, ensures the safety of other plants and bushes, and guarantees the safety of your loved ones.

Another benefit of hiring a tree removal service is that you won't have to spend money on expensive tools and safety gear. An experienced crew will arrive with the necessary gear to cut down trees with minimal impact on your home or garden.

Maintenance and upkeep of trees are essential for their survival. Transplanting is best done in early spring or late fall, and the transplant's root ball should be at ground level before placing it in the hole. Watering is crucial for the first two years following planting, and for trees to get established, they may need to be watered for up to four years. Fertilizer should be applied at the start of the second growth season, and pruning is essential for safety, aesthetics, and improving tree structure and growth.

Guying and staking are not always necessary for newly planted trees, as they may stunt growth and may be necessary in windy areas. Overall, hiring a professional tree removal service is a wise decision for both homeowners and tree care professionals.

Content Summary: 

• Doing things yourself (DIY) is becoming increasingly popular.
• There's no disputing the allure of doing things alone, but cutting down trees has several hazards you should be aware of.
• In this post, we'll talk about the risks of tree pruning on your own and why hiring a professional is usually better.
• However, felling a tree isn't as straightforward as it may first look.
• Taking down a tree requires knowledge of the science, safety, and law that goes into it, not just the ability to wield a chainsaw.
• As we explore this issue, we will discover the dangers inherent in do-it-yourself tree cutting, such as the absence of experience, the possibility of safety concerns, the damage to property, and the vast unintended environmental implications.
• This blog clarifies these topics so that you may make educated decisions about the trees in your yard and community.
• Do-it-yourself (DIY) tree removal has its risks and complications.
• DIY tree removal is risky and may lead to more issues than it resolves.
• It would always help to use proper safety equipment when felling trees, including a harness, safety gloves, hard hat, safety glasses, and chainsaw pants.
• If you don't have the money to invest in the safety clothing and equipment necessary for this job, it's best to leave it to the experts.
• DIY tree removal comes with a high potential cost due to property damage.
• DIY tree removal has a high risk of injury and property damage due to inexperience, lack of knowledge, and carelessness.
• If you have a tree on your property in Melbourne, you may wonder if you need to follow any specific tree restrictions.
• If you're in Melbourne, Australia, and want to cut down a tree, you must be aware of a few things to avoid breaking the law.
• Orders are a tool for local governments to use to ensure trees' safety in their jurisdiction.
• Before doing anything to a tree, you should contact the local municipality to determine if it is subject to a Tree Preservation Order.
• Even if you have private property rights, it is usually the best course of action to check with the local council before making any changes to the tree on your property.
• The penalties for violating a Tree Preservation Order are high, making it impractical in the long run.
• In many locations where local councils protect trees, most trees on private and public property are protected by a Tree Preservation Order, so you must verify this before taking action.
• Handling tree removal oneself is risky.
• A reliable tree removal service relies on a crew of experts with the tools, knowledge, and experience to clear the area quickly.
• Clearing the area, assessing the tree, planning escape routes for falling branches, prepping the tree for removal, cutting the tree in half, and cleaning up afterwards are all standard parts of a tree removal service.
• Hiring a professional service will prevent your home's structure, walls, walkways, and driveway from being damaged by falling branches and girdling roots.
• Hiring professionals means that after the trees are removed, the shrubs and plants will also be cared for.
• DIY tree removal may seem like a simple task.
• Instead of trying to save money by doing it yourself if you don't know what you're doing, it's better to leave tree cutting to the professionals with the necessary training and equipment.
• One of the most compelling arguments for using a tree service is the insurance they provide.
• One major perk of hiring a tree removal service is that you won't have to spend money on expensive tools and safety gear.
• An experienced crew will arrive with the necessary gear to cut down trees with minimal impact on your home or garden.
• Taking down a tree is a labour-intensive job requiring much time and energy.
• Compact the soil and water lightly.
• In the first year after planting a tree or shrub, it should not be fertilised.
• Fertilisers will not revive a sick tree but will boost its growth potential.
• Do not apply fertiliser right before planting.
• The first time you should apply fertiliser is at the start of the second growth season.
• Trees need regular pruning as part of their upkeep.
• Due to the lack of leaves, the tree's structure is more easily seen during this dormant time, making it ideal for pruning.
• This is also a season when illness and pests are uncommon.
• Newly planted trees can benefit from staking and guying for support, but this is not always essential.
• The act of staking or guying a tree may stunt its growth.
• It should be done only when a newly planted tree needs additional support (such as staking or guying).