Considerations for Removing a Tree on Your Private Property
Thinking of cutting down a tree on your private property? While you may be tempted to remove the tree at will, it's best not to.
Depending on the species, age, size, location or significance (functional, cultural, historical or botanical) of the tree, you may or may not require a permit for tree removal. A violation of the local tree protection laws can attract hefty fines and get you into legal trouble.
Getting tree removal approval from your local council isn't the only thing you'll need to think about. Read along to learn about the various aspects of the project that require careful consideration.
Human safety
Removing a tree on your property can be dangerous work. If the tree is large and too close to your house or overhead electricity lines, cutting it down can pose a significant risk to human safety.
A key part of planning a tree removal is to ensure a tree can be felled safely. This may mean working from the top of the tree using height safety and arborist-specific equipment such as climbing belts, harnesses, lanyards, saddles and heavy-duty work gloves.
Tree removal safety may also cause temporary disruption of traffic on your property and adjacent properties to ensure everyone's safety.
Property damage
Aside from posing a risk to human safety, tree removal can also cause extensive damage to property if it isn't done correctly. To prevent this from happening, you'll need to use appropriate work techniques.
For a tree that is too tall to drop, for example, you may need to cut it down into sections, working from the top.
Site cleanup
A tree removal project can generate a lot of material and debris, leaving you with a messy job site. As part of the planning and preparation processes, you should think about what you'll do with the trunk, branches and leaves and wood chips after tree removal.
Trees are regularly harvested for organic matter, so there's no shortage of what you can do with the material and debris from a felled tree. For example, wood chips can serve as mulch and fallen leaves as compost for your home garden. On the other hand, the trunk of the tree can be cut into smaller chunks and used as fence posts.
Tree removal is a project that requires meticulous planning and preparation to do it correctly. Contact a tree removal specialist to get a quote for your project.
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