Tree removalDangers of Trimming Trees in St Louis

Trees are beautiful, majestic, and great for improving the curb appeal of your home, making your surroundings a little more natural, creating shade, and making a natural privacy barrier. But when it comes to trees that have to come down—because of accidents, disease, or other factors—trees can be extremely dangerous. For anybody considering removing a tree, here are a few of the biggest dangers of tree removal that you always have to keep in mind.

1. Power Lines and the Danger of Electrocution

One of the biggest threats you face when removing a tree is electrocution because where there are houses there are power lines, and where there are power lines, there’s the danger of being electrocuted. Not only can falling branches, limbs, or trees come down on the power line and take out power to the neighborhood, but there’s also the risk of accidentally touching the power lines when you’re taking out the tree. If either you or your tools touch the power line, you may very well get electrocuted. Moreover, if a limb or branch falls on the power line, you could electrocute yourself or somebody else in the area if you get too close to the lines on the ground. (This happens far too often – see recent story)

2. Sick Trees and the Danger of Falling

A common reason for removing trees is disease or rot, and if this describes your tree, then there’s the danger of the tree falling over when you don’t expect it to, such as when you’re up in the branches. And if the tree comes down when you’re in it, you’re going to come tumbling down with it. Even if the tree is perfectly healthy, removal still means having to climb the tree, and there’s also the risk that you’re going to fall out, either because you lose your balance because a branch breaks, because the ladder falls, or because the tools are too heavy and unwieldy.

3. Gravity and the Danger of Being Hit

Falling out of the tree isn’t the only danger you’ll face when removing a tree because gravity can also mean that you get hit by falling branches, limbs, or the entire tree. Even if you’re expecting specific limbs or branches to come down, you still can’t control where they will fall, so there’s the danger of those branches falling on you, a family member or neighbor, a pet or other animal, or even property like a nearby house or car.

4. Special Equipment and the Danger of Improper Use

Cutting down a tree is no small feat, and it requires special tools that most people don’t use in everyday life. Specifically, chainsaws are the biggest danger, because kickback, careless use, improper use, and accidents can cause severe injuries. Moreover, if you don’t have all the right safety equipment, such as fall gear and personal protective equipment, then you could be in danger every step of the way when you’re removing the tree.   

How to Remove Sick or Unwanted Trees from Your Property

Trees aren’t going to remove themselves, and your best bet for safe tree removal is calling a professional arborist who has the training, knowledge, tools, and safety equipment necessary to carefully remove a tree from anywhere on your property without risk to life, limb, or property. A tree expert will be able to diagnose diseases, tell you which trees should come down, and will be able to remove a tree from your property without you having to risk electrocution, a fall, an accident, or damage to your car, house, or a neighbor’s property.

Removing a tree from your property may not be something you want to do, but it may be necessary in certain circumstances, and Jackson Tree Service can ensure that your tree is removed quickly, safely, and without any injuries or damage. Before you try to remove a tree on your own, please remember that tree removal is a dangerous task, and should only be done by a professional arborist.

Learn more about tree removal in St. Louis, Missouri here.