The Risks of DIY Tree Removal

Trees add life and beauty to a property

Any homeowner can attest to the ways trees enhance our quality of life. Trees improve the atmosphere. They provide respite from sun, heat, precipitation, and noise. They enhance property values, and increase our joy in our surroundings. Sometimes, a tree (or trees) needs to be moved.

A poorly placed tree can be an annoyance, or even a hazard, necessitating removal or relocation. The tree simply may have grown too big. Or there may be aesthetic or design concerns with a tree’s current location.

Homeowners might want to have a tree moved for a variety of reasons; carefully considering these factors will help you decide whether relocation is right for you.

Common Reasons for Tree Removal

Aesthetic Interests – An expanding canopy may overwhelm a property, or a carefully tended flower garden. Homeowners with children may desire a larger lawn area, or wish to reduce the downfall of leaves, acorns, or pinecones as seasons change. Shade is also a common concern; during the summer months, homeowners may choose to move an old tree in order to create space for a shade-giving species, which considerably enhances the value of a property.

  • Plant and Garden Health – Sometimes the growth of a tree can compromise the health of surrounding plants. The tree canopy might block out sunlight, or the tree’s root system may deprive nearby plants and flowers of necessary groundwater or nutrients.

Trees can break or topple in extreme weather.

  • Safety – As trees grow their canopies often expand. Branches that extend to or overhang rooftops create risk. Falling limbs and trees are one of the most common causes of structural damage for Canadian homeowners; and an overhanging branch can become an entryway for pests such as raccoons or other climbing animals to enter your house. Pruning can address this issue; in some cases, however, the tree needs to be moved to minimize risk and prevent recurrences.
  • Invasive Roots – A large tree in close proximity to a home can damage pipes and foundations, compromising the very stability of the structure itself. Tree roots are often the culprits in major pipe and drain blockages. A tree that has not previously posed a threat may eventually become one as it grows and expands.

Moving a tree is always preferable to destroying one, though either process requires an understanding of the inherent risks. Timing is important when moving a tree. Different species respond to relocation in different ways, and weather conditions can be a key factor in the tree’s survival. Early spring is often cited as an ideal time, though this will depend on the species of tree, and on its current health.

Risk Factors in Tree Removal

Moving a tree is a dangerous undertaking, with many potential complications and hazards that make hiring a professional often the wisest course of action. No tree over eight feet tall should ever be removed by anyone without professional training; but even with smaller trees, there are issues with attempting to do it yourself.

Overhead cables are not attinsulated

  • Power Lines – Contact with electrical wiring should be avoided at all costs. Unintentional interference with power lines can result in electrocution, or in a power outage for the surrounding area. Always assume power lines are live. The black weatherproofing that coats electrical wiring has no insulating effect and will not protect against electrocution.
  • Falling Branches – Moving a tree inherently compromises the stability of its limbs; falling branches are a common cause of injury and property damage in tree-removal. This risk can extend to neighbouring homes, structures and vehicles, as well as your own. Predicting exactly where a falling tree or branch will land is almost impossible for anyone other than an experienced tree mover, especially if carefully-placed restraining ropes and cables are not properly utilized.
  • Decay – It’s can be difficult to know if a tree has started to decay on the inside. Decay compromises the stability of the tree, making it fragile and unpredictable. Trees weakened by decay are more likely to collapse or splinter during removal, increasing the risk of injury and accidental damage to nearby buildings and vehicles.

Avoid blocked pipes caused by tree roots.

  • Pipelines and Underground Wires – Not all damage caused by relocating a tree is immediate, or obvious. Underground pipes and buried cables can incur costly damage from the tree’s expanding root system if the new location is not chosen carefully. If you’re considering moving a tree, have your utilities come out and mark the route of any buried cables or pipes. It’s frequently a free service, and could save significant cost down the road.
  • Surrounding Root Systems – Another potentially invisible risk when relocating a tree yourself is the possibility of damaging the roots of surrounding trees and plants. Damaging the roots of neighbouring plants will inflict additional stress on those plants, resulting in additional costs.

Advantages of Professional Tree Removal

Though the benefits of successfully relocating a tree are obvious, an understanding of the inherent risks make hiring a professional the best option. Risk-reduction is only one of the factors that make hiring a professional tree mover a wise choice for the homeowner. Professional tree services have many more skills to offer than simply digging up a tree.

Larger trees require specialized equipment

  • Relocating a Large Tree – Sometimes a tree just grows too large for a property, and the best option is to move it to a different location. Alternately, a homeowner may wish to free up lawn space, or facilitate home renovations. In either case, the tree needs to be conveyed by truck or specialized machinery to its new home. Experienced tree-removal companies are accustomed to handling large trees, and they will be able to handle even the most challenging cases.
  • Speed and Efficiency – Time is of the essence with tree removal. A tree is extremely vulnerable to damage during removal and transportation, and it’s vital that no time is wasted getting it safely to its new home. Delays increase the risk of moisture loss, breakage, and insect infestation. Professional companies provide a team of experts, all working in tandem in order to complete the move as swiftly and safely as is possible.
  • Proper Equipment and Training – The selection of appropriate equipment for removing a tree requires an understanding of tree health and biology, and experienced workers accustomed to an unpredictable work environment. Professional tree movers are not only trained in equipment usage, but also in risk-assessment and damage avoidance. They will survey the area to identify potential concerns, and each tree will be carefully examined for structural damage or decay.
  • Insurance – Employing certified experts ensures that your trees and property are protected. Professional removal companies have insurance policies in order to cover any potential accidents or damage that might occur. Avoiding DIY removal is the first step to protect against accidental damage, but insured workers provide another essential level of protection in the case of unforeseen events.

Experts help choose the right trees for your garden.

  • Expert Landscaping Advice – When a tree is removed from a property, the homeowner may wish to fill that space with a different tree. Choosing a new tree requires an understanding of different species, and a careful examination of the current conditions on a property. If homeowners are looking for something new but don’t know where to start, professional tree movers can provide advice, and even help identify the perfect tree for your location.
  • Careful Tree Placement – Relocation requires an understanding of tree biology, as a hastily chosen location may impact the tree’s survival or potentially the structural integrity of a house. It’s essential that trees be a safe distance from homes and other structures; but that safe distance can vary, depending on the tree. Proper placement requires an understanding of specific tree lifespans and growth patterns to predict how a given tree will expand in years to come. Different trees have different needs; and an expert understanding of those needs will help insure the relocated tree thrives in its new environment.
  • Follow-Up Care – While trees are settling into their new location they will be more susceptible to damage, and require regular watering and protective care. Even the healthiest tree, successfully relocated, can succumb to insects or the elements if not o properly looked after. Expert tree movers can advise you on how to ensure your trees continue to thrive, and they will follow up to monitor the progress of a tree.

Expert tree movers make the removal process less stressful, allowing you to enjoy the benefits to your home and garden while avoiding unnecessary risk. To decide whether to move a tree in the Toronto area, consult Caledon Treeland at (905) 880-1828 for a free consultation.

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