When a tree or its limbs fall on a highway, DOT crews work quickly to remove them without endangering motorists. DOT crews may need to enter private property in order to do this, but they always seek to notify the landowner before entering.
Unless there is an emergency, it’s best to contact a professional for help. A professional will have the tools and knowledge necessary to safely and efficiently perform a tree and limb removal. They can provide information about the best time of year to complete the task, and give advice on how to minimize damage to the home or property that could occur from a falling tree.
It’s possible to do a limb removal on your own, but you should only attempt it if there is enough space for the tree to fall without hitting anything or someone below it. You’ll also need a ladder and rope to help you reach the limbs. If a tree is in poor condition, or has a lot of branches that need to be removed, the job can be dangerous.
Start by removing any lower branches that hang over your house, driveway or other buildings. This will make it easier to control the fall of the rest of the limbs. Next, use the notch cut method to remove any branches that are above 10 feet in height. To do this, cut a right-angle notch into the trunk of the tree about halfway up to where you want the top of the tree to fall. This notch should be about 1/3 or 1/4 of the tree’s diameter.
After making the notch, saw downward through the branch. This will cause the branch to break in a controlled manner and prevent it from splintering. Then, saw upward through the branch again. This will again cause the branch to break in a controlled way, but will leave a smaller wound. The final cut should be made outside of the branch bark ridge and collar swelling (if present).
Once you’ve removed all the limbs from the top portion of the tree, it’s time to cut down the main trunk. Use a chainsaw to create a notch in the trunk of the tree at a point about 10 feet above ground level. This notch should be about 1/3 or 1/2 of the tree’s diameter.
You can then begin cutting the tree into pieces using your chainsaw or a handsaw, if it is too large to be removed in one piece. This is best done when the weather is dry, since a wet stump can be slippery and hazardous. Once all the debris is cleared away, you can either burn it or dump it. A professional service can take care of the remaining stump and roots, which is called stump grinding. This is the safest and most efficient option. It’s important to dispose of any tree debris properly, because it can attract insects and cause other environmental issues if left on the property for too long.