DIY Tree Surgery
Most tree surgery is far too dangerous to do on your own. While it might seem simple to prune a plant or tie up weak branches, this is not at all the case for big trees. Big trees require ladders to climb, chainsaws to cut, and chemicals to maintain. In these situations it is recommended that you call the experts.
There are three steps to cutting down a large tree branch. First you want to undercut to about half way. Then saw down the branch until it breaks away. Then all that you'll be left with to remove is a stub. Make a clean cut just outside the branch bark collar ridge to the main stem, branch or trunk. Doing it this way means that the collar will have a chance to heal over the wound.
Another thing to be wary of, is where the branch being cut down is going to land- because it's often not where you would expect. There have been lots of instances where people have cut down branches and they have landed in their neighbours yard, leaving a big mess. More importantly, if you're unsure of where the branch in question will land, it could end up really hurting someone and/or causing a lot of damage.
If you're up for the challenge of performing tree surgery on your own there are a few good places to start learning, including:
1. The safety guidelines courtesy or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
2. DIY tree fellers should visit ExpertVillage's Tools Needed to Fell a Tree. This is a great resource for tree fellers. It includes 15 short videos of the host demonstrating proper tools and techniques for tree felling in safety. There is a written transcript that comes with each video, so that tree fellers have the chance to refer back to their notes and make sure that they're doing everything correctly.
Tree surgery isn't just about cutting down branches, it's also planting, digging, and pruning. If you're trying to dig up a big stump in your garden, don't try to yank it out with your car. Instead, get on top of the plant you are removing and start cutting it down to a reasonable size. You don't want to cut too low, because that will make it very difficult to pull out. Use a spade to start digging a little trench around the stump. Aim to dig away from the stump, throwing the soil outwards to expose as many roots as possible. The further away from the stump you are, the easier it is to dig. Use a landscape bar to cut some of the roots around the perimeter of the stump. Continue doing this until the stump starts to move, after that it should be easy to take out of the ground.
Tree surgery might be something that you want to do yourself, but if you have any doubts, especially when it comes to the bigger jobs, it is definitely recommended that you contact a professional.
About the Author
Wassells Aboricultural Services Ltd is a small family business with over 35 years experience working as tree surgeons in London. They provide an expert service in all aspects of tree surgery and management. For more on tree surgeons in London visit http://wassells.co.uk/
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