Removal of dead or dying trees can be an important part of keeping your landscaping vibrant and thriving. But in wintertime, you'll want to keep a few considerations in mind when removing a tree. Here are some dos and don'ts of wintertime tree removal.
Do: Choose professional removal
Tree removal can be very hazardous when performed by amateurs, so you should always have a professional complete these jobs. This principle is especially important in winter; trees can become brittle in cold weather and may snap in unpredictable ways. In addition, slippery mud, ice, and cold hands can all make working with power tools more hazardous.
Don't: Wait until Spring
While spring and summer weather may make removing a tree easier, you need to keep in mind that the tree could present a hazard throughout the winter season if you wait. This is especially true for a tree that's near enough to damage your house, car, driveway, or other property feature if it falls. Winter storms and ice can make a tree especially likely to fall.
Do: Check weather before scheduling removal
Tree removal can be especially difficult and hazardous in cold, hostile weather. Hostile conditions could make the process take longer, which could mean it would cost more as well as become more hazardous. In addition, extremely wet weather could mean your lawn is soggy and easily damaged. So, try to schedule your removal for a relatively dry day.
Don't: Replant when it's too cold
You may want to replace the tree as soon as it's out of the way, and some tree service companies even provide planting services, but you may want to wait until warmer weather to replant. Some trees can do well if planted in late winter, but you do need to be careful of especially cold temperatures.
Some trees may be more susceptible to cold weather than others, and frozen trees and tree roots can be very brittle, meaning you could accidentally damage the tree if you plant it while it's frozen.
Do: Consider having the stump removed at the same time as the tree
You may think of your tree and its stump as one and the same, but removal services typically divide tree removal and stump removal into two different categories. This is partly because felling and removing a tree takes some different equipment and techniques than chipping a stump requires.
However, some tree removal companies can provide both services. Talk to your tree removal service about whether you can have both jobs done at the same time. Getting the stump out of the way now can avoid an unsightly yard and prevent termites from moving into the stump.
These dos and don'ts can help you plan a successful tree removal in winter. For more information or to request a quote, contact a local tree removal service company today.