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Guide to Tree Felling Service
You need to be clear about how to cut down the tree efficiently and effectively. Basic tips and instructions for cutting a tree are highlighted below.
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Tree felling services involves cutting down and removing a tree entirely from its location. This process includes cutting down the tree trunk and branches using tools such as chainsaws and then removing the stump and roots from the ground. Trees are usually removed for reasons such as safety concerns, aesthetics, and construction projects.
Residential Tree Felling Services
A range of professional services for the maintenance of trees are included in the residential tree removal service.
What to Expect When Removing Trees
Careful removal of the tree, especially a great one, by skilled arborists using state-of-the-art tools is required to cut it safely and securely. The type of specialized tools we use to remove trees is determined by your tree’s condition.
Tree Felling Services
Stump Grinding Services and Tree Removal Services: Completing the Tree Felling Services Process
Cutting down trees, encompasses various methods and techniques.
Tree Removal by Section
Trees can be cut down in sections when there is not enough space or nearby buildings. This method involves taking apart a tree from top to bottom in a systematic way, often using ropes, straps, or specialized equipment to safely remove individual sections.
Notch and Backcut Felling
This method involves making a notch on the side of the tree facing the desired fall direction, followed by a back cut on the opposite side to create a hinge. In addition, notch and back cut felling provides control over the tree’s direction of fall.
Straight Felling
In straight felling, a tree is cut down in one piece, usually in the direction of its natural lean. This method requires careful planning to ensure the tree falls safely and precisely.
Bore Cutting
Bore cutting, also known as plunge cutting, involves cutting a horizontal or angled bore into the tree, followed by a backcut to sever the hinge and direct the fall. This technique is useful for guiding the fall of large or difficult trees.
Maintaining the health, appearance, and safety of trees and shrubs.
Crown Cleaning
Crown cleaning involves the removal of dead, diseased, or broken branches from the crown (upper part) of the tree. This helps improve the tree’s overall health, appearance, and structural integrity by reducing the risk of disease spread and falling branches.
Crown Thinning
Crown thinning is the selective removal of inner branches and foliage to reduce density within the crown. This technique promotes better air circulation, sunlight penetration, and light filtering through the canopy, resulting in improved tree health and reduced wind resistance.
Crown Raising
Crown raising entails the removal of lower branches to increase vertical clearance between the ground and the lower canopy of the tree. This technique is often used to improve clearance for pedestrians, vehicles, buildings, or to enhance visibility beneath the tree.
Crown Reduction
Crown reduction involves selectively pruning branches to reduce the overall size and spread of the tree’s crown. This technique is employed to manage the size of overgrown trees, mitigate hazards, and maintain a balanced tree structure while preserving the tree’s natural form.
Techniques depends on factors such as tree size and location
Removal by Climbing Spikes
Arborists may utilize climbing techniques to access and remove palm trees safely. Climbing gear such as ropes, harnesses, and climbing spikes are used to ascend the tree, allowing the arborist to systematically cut and lower sections of the palm tree. This method is often employed when other removal techniques are impractical or inaccessible.
Chemical Palm Tree Removal
Chemical methods can be used to kill palm trees gradually, making them easier to remove over time. Herbicides or stump killers are applied to the palm tree’s trunk or root system, causing it to decay and weaken. Once the tree has died and become brittle, it can be safely cut down using traditional removal methods. Chemical palm tree removal is typically employed for smaller palm trees or as a last resort when other removal techniques are not feasible.
Palm Tree Removal by Crane
Bore cutting, also known as plunge cutting, involves cutting a horizontal or angled bore into the tree, followed by a backcut to sever the hinge and direct the fall. This technique is useful for guiding the fall of large or difficult trees.
Palm Tree Transplanting
In some cases, palm trees may be transplanted to a new location rather than being removed entirely. Transplanting involves carefully excavating the palm tree’s root ball and relocating it to a different site where it can continue to grow. This approach is suitable for valuable or mature palm trees that are worth preserving and can add aesthetic value to a new landscape.
Methods can be employed with its advantages & considerations.
Stump Grinding
Stump grinding is one of the most popular and efficient methods for removing tree stumps. A stump grinder, which is a specialized machine equipped with a rotating cutting disk, is used to grind the stump and its roots into small wood chips. This process effectively reduces the stump to below ground level, allowing for easy removal or covering with soil and sod. Stump grinding is suitable for stumps of various sizes and is typically faster and less labor-intensive than other removal methods.
Stump Removal by Hand
Excavation involves physically digging out the entire stump and its root system from the ground using heavy machinery such as an excavator or backhoe. This method is effective for completely removing stumps of any size, including large and deeply rooted ones. However, excavation can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and may cause disruption to the surrounding landscape.
Chemical Stump Removal
Chemical stump removal involves using herbicides or stump removal products to accelerate the decomposition of the stump and its roots over time. The chemicals are applied to the freshly cut surface of the stump, where they penetrate the wood and facilitate decay. Over several weeks or months, the stump gradually softens and decomposes, making it easier to remove manually or by grinding. Chemical stump removal is suitable for smaller stumps and may be a more cost-effective option for DIY projects.
Burning
Burning is a traditional method of stump removal that involves igniting the stump and allowing it to burn down to ashes. This process is typically achieved by drilling holes into the stump, filling them with fuel or accelerants, and lighting them on fire. While burning can be effective for eliminating the stump, it may pose fire hazards and is generally not recommended in residential or urban areas due to safety and environmental concerns.
Necessary in situations where trees pose immediate hazards.
After-Hours Response
Emergency tree removal services are often available outside of regular business hours to address urgent situations that occur during evenings, weekends, or holidays. This ensures that prompt assistance is available when immediate action is required to mitigate risks and restore safety.
Storm Damage Cleanup
Following severe weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or heavy storms, emergency tree removal crews are deployed to assess and address damaged or fallen trees. Chainsaws, cranes, and other heavy equipment may be used to clear debris, remove fallen trees, and restore access to roads, buildings, and utilities.
Hazardous Tree Removal
Hazardous trees that are leaning precariously, have split trunks, or have large limbs hanging over structures pose immediate dangers and require prompt removal. Arborists or tree care professionals assess the stability and structural integrity of the tree and employ techniques such as directional felling, crane-assisted removal, or cabling and bracing to mitigate risks and safely remove the tree.
Response to Tree Failures
In urban or residential areas, trees may fail unexpectedly due to structural weaknesses, root damage, or disease. Emergency tree removal teams respond swiftly to calls reporting fallen or failing trees, utilizing chainsaws, ropes, and rigging techniques to remove the tree safely and clear debris from roads, sidewalks, or buildings.
Removing vegetation, debris, and obstacles from a piece of land
Hand Clearing
Hand clearing, also known as manual site clearance, involves physically removing vegetation and debris using hand tools such as chainsaws, loppers, and machetes. This method is suitable for smaller-scale projects, sensitive environments, or areas with limited access for machinery. Hand clearing allows for selective removal of vegetation, minimizing disturbance to the soil and surrounding ecosystem.
Selective Clearing
Selective clearing involves removing specific vegetation or obstacles from the site while preserving desirable trees, plants, or natural features. This method is commonly used in areas where certain vegetation or habitats need to be protected or preserved. Selective clearing allows for the retention of valuable vegetation and biodiversity while preparing the site for development or landscaping.
Grubbing and Root Raking
Grubbing and root raking involve removing tree stumps, roots, and other underground obstacles from the site using specialized equipment such as stump grinders, root rakes, and excavators. This method ensures complete removal of vegetation and obstacles below ground level, preventing regrowth and minimizing soil disturbance during site preparation.
Burn-off Clearing
Burn-off clearing, also known as controlled burning, involves burning vegetation and debris on the site to clear it quickly and efficiently. This method is commonly used in rural areas or agricultural landscapes where burning is permitted and can be conducted safely. Burn-off clearing reduces vegetation and debris to ash, which can be spread or incorporated into the soil as a nutrient-rich amendment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is felling a tree?
Felling involves cutting the standing tree and dropping it in the place you want it. Limbing is the removal of the branches from either standing or downed trees. Bucking is the process of cutting the downed tree into appropriate lengths.
What's the best way to cut down a tree?
The best notch for tree felling starts with a horizontal cut about one-fifth to one-third of the way into the tree, then finishes with a second cut at roughly a 45-degree angle. The notch should be facing the direction you want the tree to fall.
What are the 5 steps in felling?
- Identify tree height, lean, and hazards.
- Make sure you have the equipment needed for the job.
- Plan and clear the escape route.
- Cut the notch.
- Make the bore or back cut and use the escape route.
How much does it cost to cut the top of a tree?
Tree crown reduction is usually a little more expensive than tree thinning, although often, tree surgeons can provide both services at once. On average, you can expect to pay between R890 and R4800 per tree for crown reduction.
What time of year is the cheapest for tree removal?
March, June and July tend to be the cheapest months to remove trees, statistically. Since the leaves have fallen and trees are easier to clear, it means less work and less money. That said, tree companies can get very busy during early spring. It’s important to book as early as you can if you know it’s coming.
How much does tree removal cost in South Africa?
The cost of tree felling services in Pretoria and Johannesburg varies widely, with prices ranging from R 750 to R 6,500. This broad range reflects the complexity and varied nature of tree removal projects. Here’s a snapshot of average prices for services provided by Tree Felling Group: Tree Felling/Tree Removal: R 750 – R 6,500.
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