When preparing to remove a problematic tree, it’s essential to know how to make a tree fall a certain way to avoid damage to buildings and risk to bystanders. For a novice homeowner trying to cut a tree as a DIY project, safely controlling the direction of the tree’s fall is a significant challenge. A professional tree service in Sebastopol, CA, will employ only the safest tree-felling techniques to ensure a hassle-free experience.
Learn about some of the techniques for guiding a tree to fall correctly and why it’s always best to leave such work to the experts.
Study Where the Tree Will Land
If the tree has more branches on one side or is leaning in a certain direction, the crew you hire will attempt to drop the tree on the side that naturally wants to fall to the ground, assuming there’s nothing in its way.
They will accurately estimate the height of the tree and how it will land when it goes down. Those without proper training may underestimate the height when felling the tree, which could result in the top of it hitting a building or utility line. Professionals might cut off sections of the canopy to reduce the height before cutting the trunk down.
Tree cutting experts will then remove any items in the zone where it should fall. They may also remove items several feet around the zone as a buffer, just in case the tree doesn’t fall exactly as planned.
Cut a Notch in the Trunk To Direct the Fall
The proper tree cutting methods start with using a chainsaw that’s large and powerful enough to handle the diameter of the trunk and the thickness of the wood, both of which will depend on the tree’s species. To make it fall a certain way, the professional will cut a V-shaped notch in the trunk on the side where the tree should fall.
The notch should go 20% to 25% of the way through the diameter of the trunk. After this, the professional moves to the other side of the trunk to start cutting a straight line toward the notch. As soon as they hear a crack or the tree begins to shift, they will stop the saw and move quickly out of the way to let it fall.
Call Empire Tree Experts for Help With Safely Cutting Down a Tree Near Your Home
When cutting down a tree, don’t risk making an error that causes it to fall in an unexpected direction and threaten your house. Instead, rely on Empire Tree Experts. We have the equipment and experience necessary to direct a tree to fall in a specific way, even in tight conditions that require extreme precision.
When a tree is leaning before a fall, cutting it down preemptively is a smart choice. Let us inspect the tree and provide advice. For a free cost estimate and assessment, call us today at 707-625-7444.
