Removing fallen trees from your property after a storm
If you live in an area of strong winds or heavy rain, you may experience a fallen tree on your property. If the tree is yours, you will need to develop a plan for removal. Fallen trees can cause damage and disrupt traffic inside and outside your premises. This is why timely removal is necessary. Whether you decide to remove the tree yourself or via the help of a tree removal service, here are some critical steps that you should take during the process.
Start by assessing damage
The first step you should take is determining how much damage has been done. Trees that have fallen on structures such as your home, toolshed, or vehicle should be carefully examined prior to removal. You may need to take detailed pictures of the damage for insurance purposes, after which you can determine if it's safe to begin cutting down the tree. Failing to follow safety guidelines could result in more damage and even injury to people nearby.
Prune large branches
If your tree had large branches, it is likely that those branches have spread over a wide area. You'll have a much easier time removing the tree by pruning such branches beforehand. Section off the tree and strategically prune branches over time. In this way, you'll be able to reduce the surface area of the tree and have more access to the trunk. Large branches can take up lots of space after removal.
Make sure you clear enough room where you'll keep branches, leaves, and other components. The good idea is to hire a skip bin that's designed for garden waste. As you cut down the tree into smaller pieces, you can place them inside the skip for safe disposal. Another option is to use the leaves in a compost pit or for mulching in your garden.
Cut the trunk into smaller pieces
With branches now out of the way, you can proceed to work on the tree trunk. Large trunks should be carefully cut into smaller pieces that are more manageable for transportation. Even if you're sad to see the tree go, you can be happy that you'll have lots of firewood. Use it for your fireplace or sell it to others who might need it to keep warm.
Don't forget the tree stump
Many people focus on removing all other parts of the tree except the stump. Tree stumps can be annoying and dangerous in many different ways. Luckily, many tree removal services also offer stump removal either through grinding or uprooting the stump. This means that you can remove both the fallen tree and its stump in one project, thus reclaiming space on your property.
