Australian weather can be so volatile. One moment you're basking in the sun, and the next minute there's a ferocious thunderstorm surrounding your home. When we moved to our first property, we had a near-miss when part of a tree came down during a storm. Luckily, it missed our house, but it did flatten my gorgeous rose garden. Tree maintenance is very important in Australia, and my blog deals with all the different ways you can maintain the health of your trees. From pruning to identifying tree rot, find out how to look after your trees, so they don't come tumbling down when the winds pick up.
Four Critical Safety Tips for Felling a Tree on Your Property
If you are planning on felling a tree, you should engage a qualified tree service expert. The professional will inspect the tree and determine whether the plant can be saved. It is important to ensure that cutting down is the only option before proceeding. If the tree must be cut down, the expert will also help you in removing the tree safely. However, if you are dealing with a relatively small tree, you might be able to handle it with considerable ease. Here are some essential safety tips to help you avoid accidents when cutting down the tree.
Use Protective Gear
You should not begin with the felling process before wearing the appropriate protective wear. In general, you should protect the parts of the body which will be open to damage by your cutting equipment or flying debris from the tree. You should wear work gloves for handling your equipment, and your feet should be protected by steel-toed boots. Also, you should think about using ear protection goggles and a hard hat.
Plan for the Fall
You should inspect your tree before cutting. You should make sure that you have a clear idea on the direction that you want the tree to fall. If the huge plant falls toward you, you can sustain significant injuries. However, if you control the direction in which it falls, you can avoid a lot of inconvenience. You should take note of the direction towards which the tree is leaning. Where possible, you should allow the tree to fall to this natural direction.
Keep Your Tool Sharp
You should make sure that your cutting equipment is sharp for efficient cutting of the tree. In general, a chainsaw or similar power saw is ideal for DIY tree felling. This type of equipment is easy to handle, and you will avoid the stress of excess physical labour. Unfortunately, if your blade is blunt, you will experience difficulties in cutting and become tired quickly. As a result, you will be more vulnerable to injuries. By keeping your tool sharp, you can cut quickly and without strain.
Cut Close
You should cut your tree as close as possible to the ground. This process can prevent the complications related to tree felling. Simply speaking, if you cut the tree and leave a huge stump, you will need to plan for special stump removal. Also, the stump might cause tripping and other injuries. If you cut close to the ground, you will avoid the eyesore and ensure quick stump decomposition.