Trees are essential because they can help decrease soil erosion, increase home value, and cool your home. However, trees tend to overgrow, die, succumb to diseases, or decay over time. If they’re not removed, they can cause injury or damage to your home. For instance, it can fall on your roof, car, or yard, or worse, it can harm someone who happens to be passing by. Therefore, removing the tree from your compound can prevent such property damage.
Certain factors to consider in removing trees make it a challenge to do it yourself (DIY), especially for the first time. Therefore, it’s ideal to hire arborists who specialise in Tree Removal in the North Shore or near your area to execute the task safely and efficiently. But if you’re willing to take down a tree yourself, here’s a quick guide to help you remove a tree.
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Know When To Remove Trees
There are typical tell-tale signs that indicate it’s time to remove a tree from your property. Some of the signs you need to look out for are:
- There are numerous dead branches and leaves.
- The tree has extremely overgrown near your home. Sometimes, the roots can grow into your home’s foundation, or its branches can fall on your roof.
- The tree is leaning on one side.
- The tree looks weak or unhealthy.
- There’s damage to the tree after a natural disaster like an earthquake or storm.
Knowing the typical signs to look out for enables you to remove a tree from your property before it causes any damage or injury.
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Prepare For The Tree Removal
Safety is a crucial factor in removing trees. Before executing the task, arborists usually wear protective gear to keep them safe. Likewise, it’s essential to prepare and utilise the following gears before removing any tree:
- Hard Hats: This will keep your head safe from falling branches.
- Steel Boots: This will protect your feet from falling tree branches and other debris.
- Earplug Or Earmuffs: These are used to protect your ears from the noise caused by power saws.
- Goggles And Face Masks: These can safeguard your eyes from sawdust, leaves, and other debris. Likewise, face masks can prevent you from inhaling sawdust and other dirt.
- Gloves: These are used to protect your hands from cuts from tree branches.
- First Aid Kit: This is necessary to treat minor wounds in case you get injured.
Another safety measure you can undertake is inspecting the area surrounding the tree to help in decreasing the possibility of an accident. For example, the tree may be next to an electrical line or a busy road. In such a case, it would be best if the tree didn’t fall in that direction. Furthermore, you should ensure that there’s no movement around the area where the tree is supposed to be removed. Cordon off these areas using caution tape.
Besides this, it’s best to communicate your intentions to your neighbours, so they know your plans, especially if the tree is next to their property line. Taking such precautions gives the arborists an easier time doing their job.
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Obtain Permission From Your Local Council
It’d help if you had a local council permit before removing a tree from your compound. It’s usually a requirement, and failing to adhere to it can get fined by local authorities.
However, there are certain exceptions to this, depending on your state. For example, in New South Wales, if you live in a designated area near bushland, you can remove trees without acquiring the local council’s permission. This is to help you prepare for potential bushfires.
You can research online regarding your area’s regulations to learn more and prevent any fines for illegal tree removal.
- Cost Of Removing Trees
The average cost of tree removal services is around AUD$1,100. But the costs can range from AUD$300 to AUD$3,000 depending on several factors. It could be because of the type of tree, its size, price per foot, and its location.
It’s more affordable to conduct a tree removal on your own, but the costs can also quickly add up because you need to buy or rent the tools, equipment, and safety gear mentioned earlier. On the other hand, hiring a tree service company may seem costly, but the services are offered under one package. You won’t have to rent equipment or perform tedious work on your own.
- Learn How To Remove Trees
Removing trees requires some knowledge, whether it’s a DIY or done by professionals. So, if you’re doing it independently, you must follow all the mandatory steps to do it effectively. Moreover, having unique tools is a must-have.
Gigantic trees require a lot of caution to remove them. So, if it’s a bigger one, it’s best to hire a professional because they know how to secure the area, have the required safety gear, and know what to do when removing a tree. As emphasised above, removing trees can be tedious, and you must take your time to learn the various ways to remove a tree safely.
Conclusion
Removing a tree is not an easy task, especially for first-timers. But there are benefits to learning how to remove a tree. Besides saving costs, you get to learn a new skill. So if you’re determined to put down a tree, consider this guide to help you accomplish the task. Otherwise, if it seems overwhelming, don’t hesitate to seek the help of a reliable company within your area to do the job for you.
