Why Removing a Tree on Your Own is a Bad Idea

Are you considering trying to remove a tree on your own to save some money? You may want to give that idea some more thought because it is a terrible idea for many reasons. You might think, "Of course, they will say that. They want me to hire them to do it." So, please don't take our word for it; read the following information and statistics and decide for yourself.

5 Reasons Why Removing a Tree on Your Own is a Bad Idea

1. Injuries
The number one reason NOT to try to remove a tree on your own is the chance of injuring yourself or others. Removing a tree presents many hazards– working at heights, slippery conditions, falling limbs, sharp equipment, etc. – that can cause injuries or even death.
 
Injuries can result from the following:

• Falls from a tree or off a ladder.
• Being struck by a tree, branch, or equipment.
• Being cut by sharp equipment, such as chainsaws. In fact, every year, approximately 36,000 people are treated in hospital emergency departments for injuries that resulted from using chainsaws, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Electrocution from power lines.
• Environmental injuries, including allergic reactions to poison ivy, oak, or sumac. 
   
  

According to the CDC, "During 1992--2007, a total of 1,285 workers died while performing tree care and maintenance; 44% were trimming or pruning a tree when fatally injured. The most common causes of death were being struck by or against an object (42% of deaths), most commonly a tree or branch, falls to a lower level (34%), and electrocutions (14%)," And keep in mind that all or at least many of these workers were well-trained and had the right equipment and proper PPE (personal protective equipment).

2. Property Damage
Tree removal or pruning can be a tricky and complicated process, which can lead to property damage if you don't know what you're doing. When trimming or cutting down a tree, you need to think about how you will cut each branch and understand what will happen when you do. Do you know how deep a cut you need to make? Do you know which direction the tree will fall?
 
If done incorrectly, trees or branches can fall on your (or your neighbors') roof, car, or other structures, causing damage. Unfortunately, if damage is caused while you're pruning or removing a tree yourself, your homeowners' insurance may not cover it.
 
Do you know if your tree is diseased or rotted out? If it is, tree limbs can unexpectedly fall while you're cutting and cause damage or injury. Furthermore, the direction a diseased or rotten tree will fall is extremely unpredictable. Trained and experienced tree-felling professionals understand the science behind tree pruning and removal so nothing on your property is damaged.
 

3. Lack of Proper Equipment
As with any job, the right equipment can make it easier and safer and ensure it is done correctly. Professional tree removal companies have the right tools – chainsaws, axes, wedges, climbing and rigging tools, wood chippers, stump grinders, proper PPE, etc. You probably don't.  
 

4. A Big Mess
Pruning or removing a tree leaves a big mess – fallen leaves, branches, sawdust, giant trunks, and more - that will need to be removed. If you don't remove the debris immediately, it can damage your lawn, affect water drainage, or blow into your neighbor's yard, potentially causing friction with your neighbor. Do you have a means to transport all of the debris away? Do you have a place to dispose of it? A professional tree-trimming company will remove all of the debris for you.
 

5. Higher Costs
It could cost you as much to purchase all the equipment you need to prune or remove a tree as it would to hire a professional. If you are injured while pruning or removing a tree, it could cost you significantly more financially and emotionally than hiring a professional. You could be looking at medical bills, lost time at work, pain, and suffering. And think about what would happen to your family if you died while pruning a tree.

Hire an Experienced Tree Removal Specialist

If you've decided that tree removal is best left to the experts, you won't do better than Arbor Max Tree Service. Our trained team specializes in safely removing even the biggest trees.

Call us today at 484-878-8947 or click below for a free tree removal quote.