Tree Felling: Can You Remove A Bad Tree Yourself?


If a tree on your property looks unhealthy to you, you may decide to cut down the tree yourself. Although it may be possible for you to cut down an unhealthy tree yourself, you want to contact a tree felling, or removal, contractor instead. A tree felling contractor can safely remove your tree without causing additional problems for you or your property. Learn more about tree felling and how to safely remove your tree below.

Why Is DIY Tree Felling Unsafe?

Tree felling describes the process of cutting down a tree. Although tree felling may appear simple, it can be extremely dangerous if you don't fell a tree properly. First, you must ensure a tree is sound enough to handle without harming people or damaging the property around it. A sound tree will possess a strong, upright trunk. A sound tree will also be safely positioned away from power lines and other potentially dangerous structures.

An unsound tree will possess a hollow trunk and decaying bark. An unsound tree will also lean to the side or appear unsteady on the earth. A tree that possesses these qualities or features above can easily topple or snap in half if you mishandle it. 

The crown of a sound tree will also grow directly above, below, or near power lines. Depending on your city's tree-removing laws, you may need to obtain clearance or permission to remove a tree located near power lines. You may receive a fine if you don't follow your city's requirements.

There are many other reasons to avoid felling a tree yourself. If you want to avoid the serious repercussions above, ask a tree felling contractor to remove your tree for you. 

What's the Best Way to Fell a Tree?

Contractors must take precautions when felling a tree. The precautions not only keep contractors safe, they also protect homeowners and their properties from tree damage. A contractor will do the following things to fell a tree properly;

  • assess the tree's condition, including its trunk and roots
  • inspect the tree's location
  • safeguard the surroundings 

The assessment helps a contractor determine where to cut a tree and how. A contractor must strategically place cuts in a tree's trunk before they fell it. The cuts prevent a tree from unexpectedly breaking in half or toppling over during the process. The cuts also allow a tree plenty of room to land after it falls to the ground.

A contractor will also take precautions with cutting a tree's limbs and branches before they fell it. If you desire to learn more about felling a tree, consult a tree felling contractor.

Find the help you need to fell your tree by consulting a tree removal contractor today.

About Me

Taking the Guesswork Out of Tree Care

Have you ever tried to take care of your own trees? At first, cutting down dead limbs or dealing with ugly branches might have seemed like a simple task. Unfortunately, after climbing that ladder and managing sharp objects, another reality may have surfaced. In addition to staying safe, you might also have struggled with trying to determine which branches should stay and go, and how your choices could affect the tree's shape. I want to help you to take the guesswork out of tree care, so I made this blog. Read here to find out more about different trees, cutting methods, and common homeowner mistakes.