When it comes to taking care of trees on your property, the work can be dangerous. This is particularly true when you have to remove the trees. In order to bring down a tree successfully, you need to have knowledge in a variety of topics, including tree biology, physics, cutting techniques, tools, and much more. As a homeowner without the proper knowledge, you may be placing yourself at risk of serious injury. Keep reading to learn of some of the dangers associated with tree removal.
Improper Equipment
Tree removal professionals are trained to use proper equipment to remove trees. This includes chainsaws, cranes, woodchippers, ropes, etc. All of this equipment will be necessary to fell and dispose of the tree properly. They are also required by OSHA to wear certain protective gear. Homeowners likely do not have all of this necessary equipment, and some may not even be familiar with how to safely use it. Unfortunately, this puts homeowners at unnecessary risk of injury.
Power Lines
Regardless of what type of work you are performing, if you are working anywhere near power lines, it can get dangerous very quickly. You need to always assume that the power lines are live. If the tree, your tools, or yourself touches the power line, it could not only cause the power to go out in the local neighborhood, but you could also be electrocuted. One thing to understand is that the black coating on the power lines is not insulation. Instead, that exterior coating is simply a weatherproof barrier to protect the metal cable. Therefore, it does not protect you from electrocution.
Decaying or Dead Trees
One of the main reasons that a tree is removed from a property is because it is dead or dying, which means that it is decaying from the inside out. This also means that the tree is very unstable and dangerous to remove. In cases like these, cranes are often used to remove the tree. If you believe that your tree is dead or dying, it is imperative that you seek professional help in the removal of the tree, as it could collapse with little to no warning, and you do not want to be caught in the middle of that happening.
There are many risks involved in removing a tree from a property, which is why it is always recommended to have a professional tree removal service take care of the job. For more information, contact a tree removal service.