Emergency Tree Removal
With a wealth of tutorials at our fingertips, it can feel like there’s nothing we can’t tackle around the home. From patching drywall to installing light fixtures, the DIY route has become more popular than ever. However, before you grab the ladder and chainsaw, you should know that tree care is one of the most dangerous professions and is not a task to complete on your own. From tree limbs falling unpredictably to equipment failures, the dangers of DIY tree services are numerous — and potentially life-threatening.
Of course, safety, while paramount, is only part of the equation. Your tree’s health and future should also have you thinking twice about attempting tree removal, pruning, or spraying all by yourself.
Below, we highlight the many dangers of DIY tree care and explain why leaving it to professionals is always the smartest option.
Working at Great Heights
Have you ever balanced on a ladder with a heavy tool while gusts of wind threatened your balance? We would like to hazard a guess and say you haven’t, and because of this, we would also say that you are not properly equipped to work within a tree’s canopy. Of course, you’re not the only one — many DIYers find themselves in precarious positions when they tackle tree care projects without the proper harnesses, climbing gear, and safety training. For these reasons, falls from even modest heights are frequent and often lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
Instead of putting your life on the line to simply cut off a dangling branch or remove a tree that’s no longer meeting your aesthetic preferences, hire a certified arborist for tree pruning and removal. Our experts at All About Trees are trained in aerial work and use secure systems to minimize health and safety risks. We’re also licensed and insured so that you don’t have to worry about being held responsible for accidents.
Using the Wrong Tools
While chainsaws and pruning shears are readily accessible in home improvement stores, they are not the best tool for an array of jobs — specifically, tree care. It’s all too easy for an accident to occur when you use a tool that’s too small or has a dull blade or incorrect chain tension. One misstep could land you in the emergency room.
Beyond safety concerns, using improper or low-quality tools can result in poor quality work. The jagged, torn cuts create larger wounds that heal slowly, if at all. These wounds then serve as entry points for diseases and pests.
If you want to protect yourself and your tree from further harm, leave tree care to the professionals. Certified arborists, in particular, have access to industry-grade equipment and undergo training to ensure each tool is used safely and effectively.
Not Using Proper Techniques
Tree care is not simply about cutting branches here and there to maintain a specific shape. In fact, proper tree pruning — a vital aspect of tree care — involves knowing where and how to make cuts to boost tree health above all. This requires an understanding of tree biology and growth patterns. So, you can’t take a chainsaw to a tree all willy-nilly, or you risk leaving the plant vulnerable to disease, compromising its structural integrity, and even killing it.
Even when you’re cutting down an entire tree, you must use proper technique to avoid complications. Careful notching and back-cutting make sure a tree falls in the intended direction and doesn’t lead to property damage or personal injury.
Treating Your Tree With Harmful Products
When pests or diseases appear, DIYers often turn to store-bought sprays or treatments. Unfortunately, using the wrong chemicals — or applying them incorrectly — can do more harm than good. In fact, many DIY enthusiasts misdiagnose tree problems and end up using an insecticide on a fungal issue, for example, wasting precious time and money while allowing the actual problem to worsen.
Even if you manage to accurately diagnose the problem, you could still cause an array of other issues by applying store-bought tree care products. For example, these products often contain chemicals that end up harming the environment. It’s also very easy to overuse the product, believing that “more is better,” and to underestimate the risks of exposure.
Certified arborists use tree sprays that are environmentally friendly and precisely formulated for your tree’s specific species, size, and condition. This enhances treatment efficacy and protects neighboring plants from harm.
Miscalculating
Trees operate under the immutable laws of physics, and miscalculating these forces ranks among the most serious dangers of DIY tree care. Professional arborists develop an intuitive understanding of tree biomechanics through years of experience — knowledge that homeowners simply cannot replicate with an online tutorial. In many cases, the weight of a mature tree branch surprises people, and a seemingly manageable limb can actually be hundreds of pounds. Once gravity takes over, the branch can create devastating consequences.
Branch weight isn’t the only thing you need to consider when pruning or removing trees. You also need to take into account wind direction and speed, the presence of decay, the tree’s natural lean, and, like we mentioned earlier, cutting technique. All of these factors account for where a limb or trunk will fall, and a miscalculation could lead to property damage, injuries, or worse. So, let an arborist perform the necessary calculations to guarantee the safe removal of branches and trees from your property.
Disregarding Power Lines
Perhaps no single oversight presents a more immediate danger than failing to account for nearby power lines. Contact with electrical wires can result in power outages, fires, or fatal electrocution. And it’s all too easy to accidentally cut a power line instead of a branch or have a heavy limb crash into an active line. Tree care professionals always assess the surrounding environment and take precautions when working near utilities.
Not Taking Into Account Decaying Wood
A tree’s outward appearance can be deceiving. While it may seem solid, decay or rot can weaken wood from the inside out. DIYers might unknowingly cut into unstable limbs or trunks, leading to sudden collapses or uncontrollable falls. Certified arborists are trained to identify signs of decay and approach compromised trees with the necessary caution.
Failing to Acquire a Formal Permit
Many communities require permits for tree removal, especially for large or protected species. DIYers who ignore or are unaware of these regulations can face fines, legal issues, and community backlash. When you invest in professional tree services like those from All About Trees, you can have peace of mind knowing that all permitting is being handled appropriately.
Avoid the Risks of DIY Tree Care — Trust All About Trees
The dangers of DIY tree care are real and far-reaching. Whether you’re thinking about removing a tree, pruning large branches, or spraying for pests, the risks can outweigh any perceived cost savings. So, instead of tackling the project all on your own, make one simple phone call to All About Trees. Our certified, licensed, and insured professionals will be at your doorstep right away to handle the job safely and professionally.
Contact us today, and get a free estimate on professional tree care!