When you feel as though a tree on your premises is becoming a hindrance, it's tempting to tackle the issue yourself. While tree removal may seem as simple as simply cutting the culprit down, there are various health and safety risks to consider. Similarly, you may want to try lopping to encourage better growth or to obtain a brighter view. In both cases, there are multiple reasons for allowing a professional to do the dirty work.
Not all diseases call for tree removal
While there are some diseases you'll want to stop drastically, tree removal is a radical process for many. As it's often difficult to differentiate between various forms of diseases, using a professional provides you with the strongest chance of avoiding unnecessary removals.
Removing a tree is a hazardous process
Tree felling isn't just about cutting the thing down. During this process, your professional will consider the impact on surrounding structures, whether the roots are extending beneath your property and whether they're likely to come into contact with power lines during the cutting process. In addition, if you live close to a busy public area, cutting down the tree poses a risk to nearby buildings, vehicles and pedestrians. Without the right experience, this seemingly simple task soon becomes more dangerous than you can imagine.
When done incorrectly, tree lopping causes more harm than good
Tree lopping is a general term that covers professional actions that are beneficial to the tree, through to radical approaches that'll starve it of its life source. When done radically, lopping involves the mass removal of various tree components, including leaves and buds. When you remove leaves and buds, you also deprive the tree of the components that allow for photosynthesis. As a result, it may begin to die, or it could develop weak branches that are prone to falling in tough weather conditions.
When done correctly, tree lopping involves:
- Pruning off unnecessary regrowth that causes branches to weaken and fail
- Trimming to prevent vigorous regrowth
- Trimming to prevent poorly attached branch unions
Whether or not your tree will benefit from these processes depends on the species, as well as its early development. Usually, only those trees that are ornamental benefit from tree lopping, and it's important to find a professional who can determine whether it's useful for yours.
If you're unsure as to whether your tree needs either of these treatments, allow an arborist or tree surgeon to perform a full assessment. With an honest appraisal, you can determine the best course for your foliage together.
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