Some people believe that winter is an excellent time to take down trees. Deciduous trees have lost their leaves and are dormant. This makes it easier to see their branches, and plan the best way to take them down. The ground may be a little more stable, and there’s less disruption to the landscape. The truth is winter is a quite challenging time for tree removal, even in a climate as mild as it is here in Southern California. Here are some mistakes to avoid.
That One Frigid Day
Though it doesn’t snow in Dana Point, there are those unusual days when winter temperatures drop below freezing. An inexperienced team may have planned an operation weeks ahead and expected the weather to be cooperative. However, if they start the job during a cold snap, they’ll probably find that they’re not as nimble as they need to be. This can be dangerous when handling equipment such as chainsaws. They may not be dressed for the unexpected weather and might not even own the sort of clothing they need to work comfortably outside in the cold. That’s one mistake.
Cold temperatures are also hard on equipment, especially if it is left outside. A truck may be hard to start up. The metal teeth of a chainsaw might become brittle. It might be hard to start the chainsaw in the first place because its fluid is too thick. Battery-operated equipment also suffers. This causes delays that are made even longer because of winter’s short days. A job that takes one day might suddenly take two. So, another mistake is not warming up the equipment when a cold day is expected.
Trees are also affected by cold weather. Their branches are more likely to snap off, and they might even be iced over. Even as the temperatures rise, falling ice can be another hazard. The tree removal team also needs to keep this in mind.
Don’t Take Down a Large Tree Yourself
Generally, a layperson really shouldn’t try to take down a tree that’s taller than they are. Even in winter, dormant trees are heavier than they look. Even professionals are never 100 percent certain of where a tree is going to fall, which is why they use equipment to help a tree fall away from a structure or a power line. A layperson who’s determined to cut down a problematic tree on a rare cold day only exacerbates the risks of tree removal.
Contact Us for Tree Removal, Even in Winter
Removing trees, especially if they’re large, old and unhealthy is always risky. Winter can add to the risk, but it’s our job to perform tree removal in any season. If you need a tree taken down at any time of year, don’t hesitate to call our experienced arborists at Luna Tree of Dana Point, California.