I have never been a natural gardener. For years, I struggled to keep basic houseplants alive, only to kill them at the first opportunity. It was difficult and stressful to buy a home with a yard, but I knew that I might be able to learn what I was doing wrong and correct the problem. To start off, I focused heavily on the lawn, and tried hard to keep it trimmed and well-maintained. Next, I cleaned up the flowerbeds. It was a lot of work, but I knew that it would pay off in the end. When I was done, my front yard was gorgeous, and guess what--it even stayed alive. This blog is all about loving your little landscape.
Tree removal can be complicated if the tree in question is leaning in one direction. Certain steps must be taken to ensure the tree comes down safely.
Site Plans
A site plan is a must when it comes to risk mitigation during tree removal, and it is especially important if the tree is already leaning. Usually during a removal, the tree service can determine the path of fall to the safest area. This may not be possible as a leaning tree will likely fall in the direction of the lean.
The detailed site plan allows the service to prepare for this fall. It may require closing roads or sidewalks, using heavy equipment to protect buildings, or shutting down the power to overhead lines in the path of fall. The site plan details every possible risk along with the steps that will be taken to mitigate those risks.
Rigging
Rigging will typically be attached to the tree. It serves two purposes. The first purpose is to hold the tree in place so it doesn't fall in an unexpected way while it is being prepped for removal. The initial rigging works against gravity to keep the tree in line. In some cases, the tree may even be winched backward slightly, such as in the event it is hung up on another tree or the trajectory of fall requires adjustment.
Additional rigging will be used to help guide the tree safely down once it does fall. The line will be tied to the crown of the trunk to act as a guide. The idea is the tree will fall in the direction that this guide line is pulling.
Sectioning
Preparing the trunk via stripping and sectioning can further reduce the risks involved with leaning trees. Heavy branches are carefully removed to reduce the weight and to lessen the amount of tree trunk hitting the ground. The larger branches may be lowered to the ground via cables and pulleys. If the tree is stable enough, then the service may completely limb the tree so that only the trunk remains.
Once the trunk is stripped and prepared, the service may then take the tree down in sections. This is especially common for tall leaning trees or those that may damage nearby structures when they come down. Removing the top of the trunk and lowering it to the ground reduces both the length and the weight. A shorter trunk is much easier to guide to a safe fall, especially when a lean is involved.
Contact a tree removal service if you have a tree leaning dangerously on your property.
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