Introduction

Tree felling is a necessary but complex procedure that requires skill, experience, and the proper tools to ensure it is done safely and responsibly. While it may seem like a simple task to remove a tree, tree felling involves careful planning and execution to minimise risks to both people and property. Whether due to disease, damage, or overgrowth, tree removal should always be handled by a professional tree surgeon to avoid complications.

For residents in Eastbourne, East Sussex, understanding how professionals approach tree felling and why it’s essential to trust experts with the job is key to ensuring both safety and efficiency. This article explores the steps involved in safe and responsible tree felling and highlights the importance of professional care.

Why Tree Felling Should Be Left to the Experts

Tree felling is not a DIY task. Attempting to fell a tree without the necessary skills, experience, or equipment can lead to serious accidents, property damage, or harm to the tree itself. Professional tree surgeons are trained to assess the condition of a tree, plan the felling process, and carry out the task safely.

Key reasons to hire a professional tree surgeon include:

• Safety: Professionals understand the risks involved and take the necessary precautions.
• Skill: Proper techniques are required to control the direction of the fall and prevent harm.
• Equipment: Experts use high-quality, well-maintained equipment to carry out the task efficiently and safely.

The Tree Felling Process: How Professionals Do It

1. Assessment and Planning

Before any work begins, professional tree surgeons thoroughly assess the tree and surrounding area. This involves evaluating the tree’s health, stability, and location. Factors such as the tree’s lean, surrounding structures, and access points are considered to determine the safest way to fell the tree.

Planning is critical to ensure the tree falls in the right direction, avoiding potential damage to buildings, fences, or power lines. Professionals use this assessment to create a detailed plan of action that ensures safety and efficiency throughout the process.

2. Securing the Area

Tree felling is a hazardous task, and safety is the priority. Professionals take the necessary steps to secure the area, ensuring that no one is within the danger zone. They use signs and barriers to alert people to the ongoing work and ensure that children, pets, or pedestrians are kept a safe distance away from the area.

3. Cutting and Notching

The first step in felling a tree is to make the right cuts. Professionals start by creating a notch or a “face cut” on the side of the tree facing the direction in which they want it to fall. The notch helps guide the tree’s fall and ensures that it falls in a controlled manner.

The size and angle of the notch are carefully calculated to ensure the tree falls as planned, and the cuts are made with precision to prevent the tree from splitting or falling unpredictably.

4. The Felling Cut

Once the notch is made, professionals move to the opposite side of the tree to make the felling cut. This cut is typically horizontal and slightly above the horizontal cut of the notch. The felling cut should be made at the right height and angle to allow the tree to begin leaning and eventually fall in the correct direction.

The felling cut is carefully controlled to ensure that the tree falls in a stable and predictable manner, avoiding any unwanted movement or instability.

5. Controlled Falling

When the tree begins to fall, professional tree surgeons are prepared to manage the process. They use ropes, pulleys, and other tools to help direct the tree’s fall if necessary, particularly if the tree is large or in a tricky position.

Ropes can be used to guide the tree safely away from obstacles, such as buildings or power lines, ensuring that it falls exactly where planned. Professionals also use wedges and saws to help prevent the tree from getting stuck during the fall, ensuring a smooth and controlled process.

6. Post-Felling Clean-Up and Disposal

Once the tree has safely fallen, the work isn’t over. Tree surgeons will cut the tree into manageable sections and carefully remove the branches and trunk. They also ensure that the site is cleared of debris, leaving the area tidy and safe.

Additionally, professionals can assess whether any further work is needed, such as stump removal or grinding, to prevent regrowth or other complications.

Conclusion

Tree felling is a complex and potentially hazardous task that should always be left to the professionals. By hiring a skilled tree surgeon, you ensure that the job is done safely, responsibly, and efficiently. Professionals follow a strict process, from assessment and planning to controlled felling and post-job clean-up, ensuring that the tree is removed with minimal risk and disruption.

If you need tree felling services in Eastbourne, East Sussex, contact Eastbourne Tree Care today. Our team of expert tree surgeons is here to provide safe and reliable tree care solutions tailored to your needs. Let us help you manage your trees responsibly and ensure the safety of your property.3

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