Tree Lopping: How to Stay Safe and Know Your Limits
Sometimes you might look at a tree on your property and think it needs to come down. The tree might be old, overgrown, or you might simply think that the aesthetic quality of your property will be improved if the tree is removed, or at least reduced in size. But how easy is it to actually work on the tree? Before you begin, you must consider some limitations that might apply. These might be legal limitations on what you're able to do, or they might be significant safety considerations that you need to think about before you begin.
Legal Limitations
You might not necessarily be able to make any alterations to a tree that's on your property. A large number of trees across Australia are in fact protected, and this can even be trees on private property. These protection orders essentially exist to ensure that significant trees can't simply be removed. Even a dead tree might be protected, if it's known to provide nesting for a bird or animal that is endangered or vulnerable. Before you even think about cutting into a tree you need to contact your local council, and they will quickly be able to tell you if a tree is protected. You can often have a protection order overturned if you can successfully argue that the tree poses a danger—a particularly old tree that could damage your home if it was to fall, for example.
Physical Limitations
Once you've established that the tree does not have a protection order, you need to think about your own abilities. Can the tree easily be lopped using a handheld manual saw, or does it require a chainsaw? Is the tree so large that you might be able to safely bring it down yourself? If the tree in question is large and you've not cut one down before, it can be wise to call in a professional tree lopping service—such as Ashmere Tree Solutions. They can quickly and easily remove or reduce the tree to your specifications, and will carry insurance should there be any damage to your property or other vegetation during the process.
Safety Considerations
Even with a small tree that can be easily removed by yourself, you need to stay safe. Safety goggles are mandatory, as your eyes can be damaged by flying wood chips. Gloves are also important, since the saw might slip. Don't forget your legs either. A hard knot in the tree's trunk can cause a saw to fly out during the cutting process, potentially damaging your legs. Long safety boots or leg protectors are recommended. You will also need to attach a strong rope to the tree to pull it down, just in case the sawing is not enough to finish the job.
Cutting down a tree is usually a very straightforward job, but you need to ensure that you're both physically and legally able to do it. You also need to make sure that you stay safe, since even the smallest of trees won't always come down without a struggle!
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