Homeowners Tree Cutting Safety

I have worked in the residential tree service industry in the Pacific Northwest for 33 years. During that time I have seen homeowners make many mistakes trying to do their own tree trimming and removal. Some with disastrous results. There is nothing more macho or more manly than buying a chainsaw and doing your own land clearing or tree trimming.

This is written for the Paul Bunyan in all of us.

TREE FALLING

If I make a pie cut in the front of the tree and then cut the back of the tree it will fall in the direction the pie cut is pointing. Right? Not necessarily...

Yes, I know there is a section in the owners manual of that new chainsaw you just bought that tells you all about tree falling. But all trees are different, and there are many things to be taken into consideration that are not covered in that leaflet. I have seen many cases over the years where homeowners have fell trees on their houses, their cars, themselves and through street wires. Tree falling is an art form in itself, not to be underestimated.

THE LADDER AND THE CHAINSAW

Ladder and chainsaw are two words that do not belong in the same sentence . I will just lean my extension ladder up against this big limb and cut the end off of it. right? Sometimes...

When you cut the heavy end of the limb off, the limb raises up past the top of the ladder, the ladder falls out, leaving you hanging in space with a running chainsaw. This is not a cartoon, you and your saw will not hang in mid-air for long. Okay, you say I have this painters ladder, I can use that. right? Not really... A four legged painters ladder is made for even, hard surfaces like floors. When used on lawns or uneven ground just climbing it is a danger, yet alone trying to use a chainsaw while doing your balancing act. Well then I have this nifty three legged pruning ladder, which is made for this right? Not necessarily... Three legged pruning ladders are made for uneven ground and can be made quite stable on rough terrain, but they are made for pruning smaller limbs with pruning loppers and hand saws. When cutting bigger limbs using a chainsaw, the heavy end of the limb tips down coming into contact with the ground first, then the butt of the limb drops towards you knocking your ladder out from under you. Then you become a flying aerial act, juggling a running chainsaw.

Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:

1. Read your manual that comes with your new chainsaw thoroughly.
2. Keep both hands on the saw, no fancy one handed operations.
3. Keep both feet firmly planted on the ground when running a saw.
4. Don't cut over your head.
5. Set your saw's chainbrake when walking or moving between cuts.
6. Use caution when cutting with the tip of the bar, it can cause the saw to "kickback"
7. Wear eye and ear protection, leg chaps, and heavy leather boots.
8. Save the beer for later. Alcohol and power tools are a dangerous mix.

My advise to you is leave the big cuts to the professionals, sure they may be expensive. But in the long run they may be cheaper and less painful than doing' it yourself.

If you live in King or Snohomish county in Washington state and need a professional tree service please email me at: treegem@aol.com

Or call Bill at: 206-947-5599