When can I lop my own trees?

Tree Lopping is a skill that is often underrated. There is a lot to consider when it comes to removing either a whole tree or even just branches from your property; the most important being safety. Tree removal as a profession has one of the highest rates of workplace injury and death when compared with all other occupations. Professional arborists know how to minimise this risk and invest significantly in professional tools and equipment to allow them to work in a manner that is safe for both themselves and property.

All too often, homeowners make the disastrous decision to remove their trees themselves. Whilst in some cases DIY tree removal is safe and can save you money, in many cases it ends up costing a lot more than you first think. If you are considering lopping your trees yourself take a few minutes to read on to determine if DIY tree lopping is wise in your situation.

DIY Tree Lopping: What do I need to consider before lopping trees myself?

If you are a home handyman (or home handywoman), it can be very tempting to want to have a go at tree lopping. A good rule of thumb is, if you can reach the branches from the ground and you do not need specialist equipment, then you are safe to lop your tree branches yourself.

Once you start needing ladders and petrol chainsaws on your trees, then the risks go up considerably. At this point, you need to stop and assess your experience versus the risk of the project. Any tree work that requires chainsaws and ladders are automatically high-risk activities and are warned against. Likewise, if you need to climb the tree or use specialist climbing equipment to access the branches, then you further increase your risk of injury.

Before you start DIY tree lopping or removal

Safety is the most critical factor to consider when deciding if you should DIY when it comes to tree lopping and tree removal, but there are other factors to consider. In some areas you need council permission to chop down a tree over a certain height. If you do not receive the permissions, the fines can be hefty.

The purchase of appropriate equipment for tree felling or tree lopping is also another consideration. It is hard for an amateur to judge the felling zone required and the proximity of the tree to property, fences or outdoor structures. Trees are often much bigger when they are on the ground than they appear when they are upright!

Take a look at your home and contents insurance also before you start DIY tree felling. Many insurance policies do not cover dangerous activities carried out by the policyholder, and often the insurance companies will include tree work as hazardous.

Why you should use a professional tree lopper

Professional arborists are experts at trees. They know the local conditions, how to manage them and safely lop and chop down many trees each week. They also have all the necessary equipment to ensure the job is completed to the highest possible level of safety. The professional arborists at Kings Landscaping are all fully insured, meaning there is no insurance risk of the homeowner or project manager.  Tree removal professionals work in teams, are quicker and will remove the branches as part of their service. They can also remove or grind the stump of the tree so that the area is ready for relandscaping.

Whilst it can be tempting to DIY when it comes to tree removal and tree lopping, in most cases, the risks far outweigh the benefits. When you consider the purchase of equipment and increased insurance premiums, it can often be even financially cheaper to get a professional in.

Avoid damage to yourself and your property by calling the experts in tree removal and tree lopping on the Gold Coast. The team at Kings Landscaping have been looking after the trees of South East Queensland and Northern NSW for half a century. The Kings Landscape arborists are fully insured and ready to go. Get in touch with the team at Kings for a free quote at your place.