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Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Planning For Tree Felling

Felling trees is a dangerous operation that can result in severe injury or death to the feller or bystanders. The best way to mitigate the risks is to carefully plan the work and ensure that you have the right tools for the job.

During the planning stage, you should consider any hazards that might be present, such as power lines or buildings. If the tree is close to these, do not attempt to fell it. Instead, contact the power company and they will have the proper equipment to remove it safely.

In addition, you should also determine the wind direction and the prevailing soil conditions. These will influence how the tree falls and affect its stability.

Once you have a clear understanding of the situation, you should decide whether to fell the tree or not. This is usually not a question of cost, but rather whether the trees are useful or not. For example, an overgrown property with lots of large trees can be difficult to maintain and may not provide enough sunlight for your garden or home.

The first step in the process is to measure your felling zone. This is done by holding a stick straight out from your body at eye level and parallel to the ground. Then you walk toward or away from the tree until the top and bottom of the stick align with where you want the tree to land, within a couple feet. This distance delineates the felling zone.

You should also inspect the tree for signs of rot or other problems that might compromise its safety during the felling process. In particular, a rotten base or one side of the trunk is a bad sign and should be avoided. Such a tree is likely to break apart during sawing or lose its top or limbs as it falls. Such loose debris can fall on the sawyer and cause serious injuries or even death.

Next, you should prepare the area for the felling by clearing debris and underbrush. This will allow you to move around the tree during the felling process without tripping or being hit by debris. It is also a good idea to clear escape paths on both sides of the tree that lead away from the expected fall line.

Finally, you should check that the tree can be felled in the desired location. In many cases, it is possible to force a tree to fall against its natural lean using the conventional notch and back cut method. However, it is risky and requires considerable skill and experience.

In the end, if you are not confident that you can safely fell a tree, it is a good idea to hire a local arborist. They have the knowledge and experience necessary to fell a tree quickly, safely and efficiently. They can also help you plan your post-felling activities, such as limbing and bucking the wood. In addition, they can help you with the proper storage and drying of your firewood.



source https://litchfieldtreeservices1.wordpress.com/2024/10/03/planning-for-tree-felling/

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