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.
What to Tell a Tree Felling Company When You Book Them for Work
There are plenty of reasons you might need to have a tree cut down, whether your reasons are related to aesthetics, safety or other practical concerns. Unless you're absolutely certain you know what you're doing, it's generally best to let a professional handle the tree removal or you risk accidents. There's also the possibility you're unable to finish cutting the tree down properly and need to hire an expert anyway.
When you've arranged for someone to fell your problematic tree, you don't have to worry about getting the job done safely. It's not quite true that you don't have any involvement in the process, though. The first part you need to play is making sure the tree removal company has all the information they need by telling them the following things.
The size of the tree
Depending on how big your tree is, there might be a need for different techniques to fell it. Letting your tree removal people know the size as early as possible lets them advise you properly and plan effectively.
It's not always easy to get an accurate measurement, so give it your best estimate. Comparing the size of the tree to buildings or other structures you know the height of is a good way to do this. You can also measure as high as you can and estimate what percentage of the tree this is, so you can work out the total height.
The species of tree
The type of tree doesn't have much impact on its felling, but there are some situations where it's important to know in advance.
One of the most significant is where a tree is likely to have long, deep roots. Since these can cause problems with the landscape or nearby structures, it's helpful to have advanced warning for safety reasons.
The proximity to buildings
When trees are close to the house or other buildings, it might be safer to cut them down slowly, section by section, rather than felling them in one go. Let your tree felling company know right away if this is likely to be an issue.
Your backyard's general layout
The position of the tree and the layout of its surrounding landscape impact how the work can be carried out, as well as other practical concerns like where equipment can be safely placed and where vehicles can park.
Although it's likely the tree felling company will take a look at the area before they plan the work, it's helpful to give them an idea of what to expect, especially if there are any obvious issues.
Any potential legal issues
Trees are sometimes covered by protection orders if they're particularly old or rare specimens. They might also be situated in an area that's covered by environmental protection laws.
If any of these apply or might apply, it's important to understand the implications and obtain any necessary permission so you can inform the company who will be cutting down the tree.