How Does a Tree Service Cut Down a Tree?

Most of us are familiar with what a residential tree service is, they are the companies who offer services such tree removal, tree pruning, tree felling and hedge trimming. Maybe you have even seen the thrilling spectacle of a climbing arborist way up a tree cutting it down next to a home and wondered how on earth they do it!

The trees can be well over a hundred feet high and often with houses or other potential targets around it. So how do they get up there and take it down with no damage to people or property?

This article will take you through the general process of a tree removal when performed by a professional arborist or tree service.

1) Site Preparation:

When a tree service arrives to a clients property to perform a tree removal, they should first prepare the area they will be working. This includes the area around the tree and the route that will be used to haul out all the debris, this is often along the side of a house or across a yard. They should remove all potential targets big or small such as other landscape features, potted plants, patio furniture, garden trinkets etc. Nothing should be left where it has the potential to be damaged.

2) Beginning The Climb Up The Tree:

The climber who will be cutting the tree down will start to ascend the tree using a climbing harness, lanyard,  and spurs. The chainsaw and ropes will be attached to the climbing harness as well as any other equipment the climber chooses to use.

3) The First Cuts:

As the climber approaches the first of the trees limbs he will begin cutting them from the trunk, working from the bottom of the tree to the top. If the branches are small enough and light enough to hold onto, the climber will do so and than aim for a designated drop zone below where he will drop the branches. If the trees branches are to large or heavy to hold onto or if they need to be maneuvered around an object below, the climber will need to utilize rigging techniques to lower the branches down in a controlled manner. Rigging is the use of ropes and pulleys to secure branches or sections of a tree before they are cut allowing for the branches or sections to be lowered in a controlled and safe manner.

4) Topping The Tree:

Once the climber has climbed most of the way up the tree removing branches as he goes, he will need to remove the top of the tree. There are multiple rigging techniques and methods to remove the top of the tree. Typically a rope will be tied to the top of the tree and groundsmen below will use the rope to leverage and pull the trees top towards the climbers intended direction. Once the ground crew and drop zone are cleared and ready, the climber will cut the top leaving himself and the trees trunk remaining. The tree will no longer have branches at this time, it will be the trees large stem (trunk) left to be removed.

Cutting Down The Trees Trunk:

Once the tree has been topped and the drop zone below the tree has been cleared, the climber will begin cutting sections of the trunk from the top down. The climber will cut the trunk into sections ranging anywhere from fire wood length (12″-18″) to larger lengths up to 12′ long. This depends on the size of the wood, the drop zone below the tree and the intended use of the wood. The climber will continue cutting and dropping or rigging down the sections of the trunk until the tree is down and will finish with a final cut leaving the stump as flush with the ground as possible.

Looking To Have a Tree Removed?

Tree care operations can be very dangerous and require a great deal of expertise as well as specialized equipment. Never try to perform a tree removal or any other tree care operations on your own without first consulting a certified arborist or reputable tree service company.

Call ArborGreen Tree Care Specialists today for a free estimate or consultation and have a certified arborist on your property assessing your trees within 48 hours, free of charge! Servicing Squamish, Lions Bay, Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby and Vancouver.