How To Cut Down A Large Tree Near A House

There is plenty that you have to do when you are cutting down a large tree that is close to your house.

You have to make sure that you regulate how parts of the trunk and branches fall.

One part of doing so is getting rid of any debris near the tree.

After that, you should start by cutting down branches located at the tree’s top.

Go down from there and leave bigger lower branches, until last.

You should ensure that you control how the tree falls so that pets and people, as well as property, all remain safe.

You can get rid of a large tree near your house with the right equipment and if you follow the proper steps. 

Equipment for Removing Trees

There are several tools that you will need to get rid of a big tree successfully.

These include a chainsaw, rope, a reciprocating saw, and an extension ladder or tripod ladder.

You can use either type of ladder.

However, a tripod ladder might serve you best, since you do not have to lean it against the tree because it is a kind of freestanding ladder.

You can use an extension ladder if you wish, but you will have to lean it against the tree you are attempting to remove. 

Removing a Large Tree Safely

Removing a large tree and doing so safely is not easy.

Your house can suffer considerable damage due to falling trees or branches.

There are several things you can do to stay safe. 

You should examine all of your tools before you use them and double-check that they are in good condition.

You should also ensure that all the chains and cutting blades you use are new.

Wearing a hard hat, footwear, and protective gloves is also a good idea.

If you decide to use an extension ladder, tie it to the tree using a rope to make sure it doesn’t slip. Get assistance with removing the tree. 

Ensure that you effectively communicate with anyone who is helping you for maximum safety.

You should follow these precautions so that you can keep yourself safe while removing a large tree.

These precautions protect anyone who is assisting you, as well. 

When Should You Contact an Arborist?

You might not have the right tools to remove a large tree near your house.

You also might not have much experience using the tools for this purpose.

In the event either or both are the case, reach out to an arborist in your area.

Learning how to use a chainsaw while on a ladder is not the best idea.

Without the proper tools or required experience, contacting professionals for tree removal is the way to go. 

Contact several local professional tree removal services before you decide on one.

You can look at reviews online to help you make your decision.

You can also talk to a neighbor you trust and see if they can refer you to a professional tree removal service that worked well for them. 

How to Remove a Large Tree Near Your Home

There are many different steps if you want to remove a tree that is at least 20 feet tall or even larger near your house.

Following these steps will help you remove the tree effectively.

They will also make sure that you stay safe while doing so. 

Figure Out The Tree’s Height

You should first start by figuring out the tree’s height.

Get rid of any obstacles, like container plants, birdbaths, or any cars near the tree.

Take a look at the tree’s lean so that you can figure out which direction it will fall. 

Remove the Top Lateral Branches

You should remove the top lateral branches from the tree.

This will decrease the amount of potential damage the tree could cause in the event that it falls in the incorrect direction.

You should make sure to utilize a ladder.

It is best if a friend supports the ladder at its bottom while you are cutting away the top lateral branches using a pruning saw. 

If the branch is large and it could damage your house while falling, tie a rope around it.

After that, bind one end of the branch to a tree trunk that is on the ground.

Get some help doing this, remove the rope from the tree trunk, and lower the big branch to the ground slowly.

Never tie the rope around your fingers or hand when you are letting a branch slowly drop to the ground.

A rope that tightens around your hand by the branch’s weight can lead to serious injury. 

Remove the Lower Branches

Now you have to work near the ground.

A chainsaw works best for removing the lower branches.

This is because the lower branches are usually heavier and bigger than the top branches.

Utilize your chainsaw to cut away bigger lower branches.

To cut a large branch properly, create an undercut by seeing upwards from the branch’s underside and cutting a quarter of the way into the branch. 

Saw downwards from the branch’s top and do so six-twelve inches further from the tree’s trunk than the undercut.

This will make the branch fall cleanly. It will not splinter or break, which can prove dangerous.

Use a rope to control how large branches fall if necessary. 

Cut Away Dense Branches Close to the Tree’s Bottom

You should then cut away any branches that are densely growing close to the bottom of the tree.

This makes removing the tree easier.

This is because you can get to the tree’s trunk with all these dense branches near the tree’s bottom out of the way. 

Bind A Pull Line Around the Tree’s Top

After getting rid of dense branches near the bottom of the tree, you should then bind a pull line around the top of the tree.

This will help pull the tree in the correct direction.

After this, tie some rope to the tree’s top. 

Create a V-Shaped Notch on the Side Where You Would Like the Tree to Fall

You should create a V-shaped notch on the side of the tree where you want it to fall.

You can do this with a chainsaw.

You should ensure that your cut remains parallel to the ground first of all.

Make a single slanted cut above the first cut.

After that, make another slanted cut below the first cut.

This should lead you to making a V-shaped notch that includes a 90-degree opening. 

Create Your Back Cut

At this point, you should create your back cut.

You can do this by making the back cut from the notch cut’s back.

You should cut a little above the notch cut’s point.

Your friend who is assisting you should pull on the line to provide the tree with direction.

This will help ensure that the tree falls away from your home instead of toward it. 

Cut The Tree’s Stump At Ground Level

You have now felled the tree.

You can take your chainsaw and cut the stump of the tree directly at ground level or near ground level.

Removing a stump in addition to the root system can prove quite difficult.

In the event that the stump is not causing problems by being where it is, use a stump killer and let the stump decay where it is. 

Make sure that you use your chainsaw to cut the stump level with the ground.

The stump killer is necessary so that the tree will not re-sprout.

This prevents you from having to get rid of the tree a second time. 

Slice The Tree Up Into Sections

The tree near your house is now on the ground.

Utilize your chainsaw to slice up the limb and the trunk into sections.

You can cut the tree into whatever sections you like, but sections the size of your forearm are ideal.

This is because you can easily dispose of them or utilize these sections for firewood. 

You might not need any firewood. If so, you can advertise firewood for free on a website like Craigslist.

You can also use a neighborhood app, as well.

Your neighbors may require firewood even if you don’t. 

If you advertise that you are giving away free firewood, you can easily remove the felled tree from your yard.

Quite a few people will happily load and haul off a tree that is sectioned.

This means that they clean up your yard instead of you having to do it.