So you Think you Can Take Down your Own Tree

How to Take Down a Tree (basics)

When you look at a piece of wood furniture, do you ever think about the process it took from getting from the woods, to your home?   There are many things that we would not be able to enjoy if it weren't for the men who take on this dangerous occupation.  The provide wood for heating, building homes and furniture. 

Tree trimming and tree removal can be expensive, unless you can do it your self. Here are the steps to safely remove a tree. There are many reputable tree services around. If you don't have a lot of experience, I suggest you contact a tree care service, who can do it for you. The first step to removing a tree is to make sure that all your gear is in perfect working order. Make sure your ropes have no major tears and that your chain saw (chains) are sharpened gassed and oiled.

Test your saws to make sure they are oiled and idling properly Attach your climbing rope to your throwing ball line and draw your climbing rope through the same bough. Now your climbing rope will be through the bough of the tree leading back to the ground.

The next step to safely remove a tree is to thrown your throwing ball through the main bough of the tree. A throwing ball is a long piece of line that is attached to a weighted ball. Using a throwing ball, makes it easier to get your rope where you want it.  

Put on your saddle and spikes and climb to where your rope is at and begin to strip branches as you climb. Continue to spike to the top and trim the tree branches as you climb up the tree. Make sure you leave enough of a stub on each limb to be able to climb down.

Top or cut down, a manageable part of the tree, then begin to chunk down tree pieces as you come down. Have someone on the ground moving brush and cutting up wood into smaller pieces as you are working in the tree.  

Once most of the tree is down, cut the stump as low as you can. If you want the entire stump gone, you can rent a stump grinder  or hire a stump removal service to do the job.
 
PRECAUTIONS:

• Always be very attentive, things can change suddenly
• Check your ropes for cuts and frays before climbing
• Make sure clips are working properly
• To avoid cutting your climbing rope, cut with it rope behind you

NECESSARY EQUIPMENT

• Clips
• Spikes
• Saddle
• Lanyards
• Climbing boots
• Climbing chain saws
• Production saw
• Throwing ball
• Bull rope
• Climbing robe

Chainsaws become obsolete pretty quickly so, find a good chainsaw and stick with it until it can no longer do the job!

RECOMMENDED CHAINSAWS:

Stihl Chain Saw Model MS260 - professional  chain saw has an excellent power-to-weight ratio, trail maintenance, logging an all tree work

Stihl MS 260

Husqvarna Chainsaws 359 is a great saw to use for professional use,  durable, has rubber suspension that reduces vibrations

Husqvarna 359