
- Evaluate the situation. ...
- Estimate a falling zone and clear the area. ...
- Water around the tree the day before you plan to start so that the soil is easier to dig.
- Wear proper gear. ...
- Measure your tree trunk. ...
- Cut a notch on the side of the trunk you want the tree to fall. ...
- Enlist a lookout.
How to get rid of a tree that fell?
How to remove a leaning tree?
What is the best way to remove a stump?
What happens if a tree falls on the ground?
How to get a tree to fall off a stump?
What to do if a tree falls in a different direction?
What to wear when cutting down a tree?
See 4 more
About this website

Can I remove a tree by myself?
If the tree is small enough that you could remove it without climbing a ladder, it's likely OK if you remove it yourself. If you have any doubts about whether it's safe to remove the tree on your own, contact an arborist, and they'll provide guidance.
What is the best way to remove trees?
If your tree is small, use a shovel to dig the stump out and expose its roots. Cut away the roots with an axe or root saw, then pull out the roots with a grub hoe. If you want to recycle the roots, compost them. If the stump is too large to remove with a shovel, you may need to try another method.
How do I get rid of a large tree in my yard?
Experts recommend hiring a certified arborist to remove a tree 8 inches or more in diameter around the trunk. If there are no arborists in your area, look for a forester or reputable tree service to safely remove the tree.
How do you cut a tall tree by yourself?
Use a chainsaw to make the first cut low in the trunk and parallel to the ground. This cut should reach about one-quarter to one-third of the way through the tree trunk. Make a diagonal cut at a 45-degree angle above or below the initial cut, removing a wedge of wood from one side of the tree.
Is it OK to leave tree roots in the ground?
Once a tree is removed, you can have both the stump and roots removed, have the stump ground out while leaving the roots, or you can leave the stump alone. If left untouched, a tree stump and roots will start to rot and, over time, become home to pests, fungi, and other organisms.
What is the cheapest way to get rid of a tree stump?
Drill deep holes in the stump about an inch wide with a power drill and a wide drill bit. Sprinkle the stump with water after covering the top of the stump with Epsom salt. Cover the stump with a tarp to keep the rain from washing away the substance. Repeat this process every few weeks to ensure its success.
What chemical kills trees quickly?
If copper sulphate is applied on the upper parts of a tree, the branches dry up slowly.
Should I remove a tree close to house?
Trees hanging over the roof or too close to a structure might need to be removed – or at least regularly pruned. In general, large trees should be at least 20 feet away from a house or building.
Can removing a tree cause foundation problems?
Removing a tree that has sent invasive roots around or under your foundation causes the soil to rise. This “upheaval” is due to the fact the water that was previously taken up by tree roots is now allowed to percolate into the ground. In rare cases, upheaval can lead to foundation flooding or erosion.
How do you cut down a tree without a chainsaw?
Use an Axe Using an axe is likely the most common option when you want to cut a tree down without using a chainsaw. Depending on how small the tree is, this will either be practical or difficult. It's important to make sure that you can cut the tree down safely.
What tool is used to cut trees?
Professional chainsaws offer different features. Professionals use chainsaws when climbing in a tree, which requires a lightweight model, and to cut down large trees, which requires a large chainsaw with a long bar.
What not to do when cutting down trees?
Don't Attempt Cutting Down a Rotten Tree Leave rotten trees to the pros. If the heart of the tree is rotted out, the felling direction can be extremely unpredictable. In addition, it most likely has many dead limbs above that just might shake loose and land on you during cutting.
How do I get rid of large tree logs?
If a yard waste recycling or municipal composting program is not available- and you cannot leave the materials on site to break down naturally nor do you want to make it into firewood- your brush, logs, and branches should be disposed of in a local landfill.
What equipment is used to remove trees?
Chainsaws, axes, and hatchets can all be used to fell and remove trees. Most of the time, chainsaws are the most effective. All of these tools can be dangerous, especially chainsaws.
How do you remove tree trunks and roots?
How to Remove a Tree Stump ManuallyDig Down Around the Stump. Dig around the stump with the mattock's broad end. ... Sever Visible Roots. Use the other end of the mattock to start chopping your way through the tree roots. ... Expose the Tap Root. ... Sever the Tap Root. ... Extract the Stump.
How do you cut down a tree without a chainsaw?
Use an Axe Using an axe is likely the most common option when you want to cut a tree down without using a chainsaw. Depending on how small the tree is, this will either be practical or difficult. It's important to make sure that you can cut the tree down safely.
What is the best way to remove a large tree?
Falling tree limbs are large and unpredictable, a dangerous combo. For large tree removal, the safest suggestion is calling a certified company to do the work for you. They have the equipment, experience, and insurance needed to do the job safely.
How to get rid of a falling tree?
The unpredictability of a falling tree requires you to be prepared for anything. Clear the brush around the tree and choose two different escape routes. Water around the tree the day before you plan to start so that the soil is easier to dig. Wear proper gear.
How to keep a tree from falling?
If the tree is small enough, remove the root ball. Using leverage, wiggle ball out. Keep the roots intact if you plan on transplanting the tree.
Can you remove a large tree without help?
Large Tree Removal. There are ways of safely removing a tree yourself, but only if it’s small enough. As soon as you have to get on a ladder to reach and remove tree limbs, that tree is too big for you to remove safely without help. Getting up on a ladder with a chainsaw is a recipe for disaster.
How to escape a tree when it falls?
Make your escape route as the tree falls. When you've left the hinge, pull your saw or axe out and take your first escape route away from the tree. Do not return to the tree until it has fallen completely. If the tree falls towards you, take your second escape route away from the tree.
How to keep a tree from falling?
Make a horizontal back cut through the opposite side of the tree. Cut at as flat of an angle as possible to keep the fall even and predictable.Stop cutting when you have a hinge left that's about 1/10 the diameter of the tree. Leaving a small hinge ensures that you control how the tree falls.
How to get rid of a stump that is too big to dig?
If your stump is too large to dig out, drill 4-8 holes into the stump and pour chemical stump remover into each one.
How to replant a tree with a shovel?
Using a shovel, dig up the topsoil from the roots nearest to the trunk. Continue digging up the topsoil until you reach the approximate length of the tree's root ball. The root ball is the sphere of roots that you will replant in another location.
How to make a tree fall in a different direction?
Plan 2 different escape routes from the falling tree in case it falls in a different direction. You’ll want to use a saw or axe to make a 70 degree cut facing the way you want the tree to fall.
Why leave a hinge on a tree?
Leaving a small hinge ensures that you control how the tree falls.
What do you need to do before you chop down a tree?
Put on safety equipment before you chop down the tree. To chop a tree down safely, you will need to take precautions to prevent injuries. Before you fell the tree, put on some or all of the following gear, depending on the size of the tree: Helmet. Safety goggles.
Why do trees need to be removed?
Although sad, tree removal is sometimes necessary to protect land or buildings. Dying or dead trees need to be removed for health and safety reasons. The process can be hazardous, however. Here are the crucial steps to follow for a successful tree removal.
How to avoid falling in the fall line?
First and foremost, check to make sure there are no obstacles in the immediate area. Clear anything nearby, and pay particular attention to any structures or vehicles to make absolutely sure they won't be in the fall line, or even close to it.
Equipment
You need the right equipment to get the job done. An undersized chainsaw will burn up its motor and fail (trust us: we’ve been there, done that!). The right chainsaw is about both horsepower and tongue length. Our Fielding Tree crews typically uses 14″ Stihl chainsaws with safety guards.
Technique
Call me crazy, but I’m guessing you probably don’t have certified training in forestry maintenance. Felling a large tree isn’t just about cutting two wedges and yelling “Timber!” You need the right technique to keep yourself and your property (and your neighbor’s prized Mustang) from getting crushed.
Insurance
What happens if you do hurt yourself or your property while dropping this mighty oak? If you’re only slightly injured (only?) and have to miss work, you’ll be out at least a few vacation days, plus a doctor’s bill or two. If you’re more severely injured, who knows how much that might cost you.
Removal Costs
After you’ve spent significant time purchasing equipment and insurance coverage, plus learning the right technique, now you have the cost of removing the demolished pieces.
Time
The real intangible is your time: how much time will it cost you to plan, prepare, execute the oak tree, and clean up after the deed is done? If it costs you only three hours to fell, reduce, and remove a 40-foot oak tree, calculate that by how much you make per hour at your job. If that’s $40.00/hour, the cost in time is already at $120.00.
Removing A Tree: Step By Step Guide
When trees are cut down improperly, they might fall on people, buildings, or power lines, posing a danger. However, if you use caution when getting rid of your tree, it can be accomplished without the assistance of a professional. Below are the three methods that will give you a complete outline of how to remove trees.
Take The Stump Out
The stump can be hard to remove as it is fixated to the ground. There are plenty of ways to do it though. Let’s take a look at them.
Get Rid Of Small Trees For Transplant
This requires you to figure out how to take out the tree completely. The roots can be a bit tricky to take out at times. But following these steps you can easily do it.
How long does it take to remove a tree stump?
This method is safe and effective, and doesn't require a lot of manual labor. But you have to be patient. The process can take several weeks.
Can you remove a dead tree stump with an axe?
Finish the job with an ax if you're concerned about safety. Keep in mind, manual tree stump removal works only on seasoned (older) stumps that have been dead for a year or so, not freshly cut tree stumps.
How to get rid of a tree that fell?
Prepare at least two escape routes that aren't in the projected path of the falling tree. Plan removal of the stump. While you can often cut the root system of small ones and pull them out of the ground, you may have to resort to stump grinding or chemicals, such as potassium nitrate, for large ones.
How to remove a leaning tree?
If the tree you want to remove is leaning, assume it's going to fall in the direction of the lean, and if the ground is clear in that direction and no obstacles will prevent the tree from falling, you're good to go. If you need the tree to fall in a direction other than the one it's leaning, call a professional tree service. If the tree is growing straight, you should be able to control the direction of its fall.
What is the best way to remove a stump?
Check the container of the stump remover to make sure the chemicals are safe to use and won't harm any plants surrounding the tree. The active ingredient in most granular products is either potassium nitrate or sodium metabisulfite, which are both decomposing agents and won't affect surrounding vegetation. Some liquids designed to be applied with a paintbrush contain a herbicide, such as triclopyr, to kill the stump and shouldn't get into the surrounding soil.
What happens if a tree falls on the ground?
Instead of falling to the ground, the tree could get caught on other nearby trees or on power lines.
How to get a tree to fall off a stump?
Drive a felling wedge into the felling cut using a sledgehammer and gradually widen the gap until the tree falls toward the notch. Be sure to warn everyone in the area before you start pounding and move away from the tree as soon as it starts falling. Tractor Supply Co recommends moving away in a 90-degree direction. Do not move in the direction of the wedge in case the hinge snaps and the tree falls off the stump.
What to do if a tree falls in a different direction?
If you need the tree to fall in a direction other than the one it's leaning, call a professional tree service. If the tree is growing straight, you should be able to control the direction of its fall. Advertisement.
What to wear when cutting down a tree?
The University of Connecticut recommends following five rules when cutting down a tree yourself: Wear personal protection, including protection for your head, goggles and ear protection as well as leather boots that protect your ankles and chaps to protect your legs.
