clearing property for building

Removing a large tree from a suburban yard requires some planning, as well as trained individuals with the right equipment. The following steps provide an overview of the process.

1. Section Planning

The first step for any large tree removal is to create a plan. Your arborist will be surveying both the tree and your property as they develop the plan. They will have to determine how many sections the trunk must be cut into, as well as determining the fall zone and emergency escape routes in the event something goes wrong. The arborist will also make note of any utilities near the tree, both above and below ground, so that the necessary utility services can be contacted.

2. Staging

On removal day, the tree tech will begin staging the area. Depending on the height and danger posed by the tree, they may opt to use a crane to aid in removal. This will require clearing a large section of the property or street near the tree to set up the crane. Staging areas will also be needed if a crane isn't used. These areas will be used for placing the trunk sections and limbs during removal, as well as placing equipment like rigging pulleys, cherry pickers, and mulchers.

3. Rigging

Before the actual removal begins, the technicians will install rigging along the trunk as well as linked to the larger branches. These rigging lines are meant to both stabilize the tree during removal, as well as ensure that branches and trunk sections won't crash to the ground unexpectedly. Some of the riggings are also in place for the safety of the tree professionals that will be in the tree. They will wear harnesses that clip to the safety lines so they won't be injured in the event of a fall.

4. Limbing

Limbing is the removal of the branches that grow along the trunk. These are usually removed from the top down so that the technicians are always working from above the limbs where injuries are less likely to occur. Smaller branches may be allowed to fall to the ground, where they will be collected and mulched, while larger branches may be connected to pulley lines and lowered more carefully.

5. Sectioning

The arborist will assess the trunk one more time so that they can make necessary adjustments to the sectioning plan. Then, rigging will be attached to each section and the trunk will be removed from the top down. Often, pulleys are used to lower the sections safely to the ground, but for exceptionally large trees or crowded areas, the arborist may opt to use a crane to hold the sections as they are cut so that safe removal and lowering can be assured.

Once all of the trunk sections are safely removed, the tree service will grind out the stump and the process will be complete. Contact a tree removal service to learn more, like Pete & Ron's Tree Service, Inc.