There are plenty of things to be afraid of this year. After all, 2020 has thrown the world quite a few scary curveballs. While the last thing we want to do is add more things to worry about, it’s important to know that many South Lake Tahoe residents get hurt or even killed attempting to trim or remove a tree on their own.
DIY South Lake Tahoe Tree Care
At Westcoast Tree Experts, we would like to do our part to keep you safe by providing you with a list of the following DIY mistakes people make while attempting to care for their trees. This way, you’ll realize the many advantages of hiring a certified arborist if you need the trees on your property trimmed or removed.
Power Lines
Overgrown or storm-damaged trees near power lines can be extremely dangerous. In fact, many South Lake Tahoe residents who get too close to power lines while trimming or removing a tree get hurt or killed from electrocution. That’s why you should never attempt any tree work close to a power line. Instead, it’s best to contact a local power company official and a certified arborist if a heavy storm knocks down a nearby power line or tree. These professionals understand the dangers and have important safety measures in place to fix an electrical tree-related problem.
Dangerous Heights
Many people think they are properly equipped to handle DIY tree care tasks because they have a good ladder. Trust us when we say that ladders and power tools are a dangerous combination. It doesn’t matter how tall a ladder is or what brand it may be — if you fall while reaching and managing dangerous tools, you could get seriously or even fatally injured.
That’s why a South Lake Tahoe tree care professional uses specialized equipment like a bucket lift or safety harnesses. Not only does this allow them to access the tallest points of a tree, but it also keeps them safe from start to finish. That’s why you should never attempt DIY tree care and hire a reputable company like Westcoast Tree Experts instead.
Chainsaw Injuries
The use of a chainsaw to trim or remove a tree requires the utmost precision. However, that doesn’t stop inexperienced homeowners from taking matters into their own hands. That’s why you should consider that thousands of people are injured each year due to chainsaw accidents. In fact, many of these accidents occur by incorrectly cutting into an area of a tree, causing what we call “kickback,” which can happen lightning-fast and may result in serious injury.
Falling Trees
Falling trees are one of the most dangerous situations listed on a DIY tree care list. While it may make sense that the angle of a cut will have a lot to do with how a tree will fall, it’s almost impossible to factor in the slope, wind, wood-rot, and other nearby obstacles that can cause it to fall in an entirely different direction. That’s why it’s important to hire a certified arborist to ensure the safety of the people and property below.
Westcoast Tree Experts
As you can see, there’s a wide variety of things that can go wrong when you decide to take on the task of a DIY tree care project. While it’s important to hire a certified arborist, you may be wondering which one is right for the job. That’s where Westcoast Tree Experts comes in.
For over 20+ years, we’ve been providing unmatched South Lake Tahoe tree care at an affordable price. Simply contact us for a no-cost, no-obligation quote, and we take the time to walk your property and answer any questions you may have about our tree care services. Let us help keep your home and family safe by filling out our online form or give us a call at 1.800.767.8733 today.
