How to Protect Your Property When a Tree Needs to Come Down

Tree removal is one of those projects that seems pretty at first but often involves a surprising number of moving parts. If the tree comes down in the wrong direction or the crew doesn’t have a clear plan, it could damage your roof, fencing or vehicles.

Hire a Qualified and Insured Tree Service

The most important step you can take is choosing the right company for the job. A reputable tree removal service will carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage, which protects you from financial responsibility if something goes wrong on your property.

Be sure to ask for proof of insurance before any work begins and verify that everyone on the team is experienced with removals of similar-sized trees or similar situations. Cutting corners on who you hire is where most property damage stories begin.

Walk the Property and Identify Risk Areas

Before the crew arrives, walk around your property and note everything in the potential fall zone. Power lines, roof overhangs, garden beds and hardscape features like patios are all worth pointing out to the team lead before work starts. An experienced tree removal contractor will already be thinking about these factors, but your knowledge of the property is equally important.

Clear the Work Zone in Advance

Removing obstacles from the work area before removal begins is one of the easiest ways to reduce the risk of property damage. Move all vehicles away from the tree and out of the driveway if possible. Patio furniture, potted plants and any decorative items near the base of the tree should be cleared before the job begins. The less there is in the surrounding area, the more room there will be to remove the tree safely.

Protect Delicate Landscaping Nearby

Heavy equipment and foot traffic can do a number on lawn areas and garden beds surrounding the tree. Talk to your tree removal specialist ahead of time about how equipment will be moved onto and around the property. In some cases, plywood boards can be laid down over grass or garden areas to distribute weight and minimize damage. If you have irrigation lines or underground utilities near the work zone, make sure those locations are clearly marked before equipment staging takes place.

Confirm the Cleanup Plan Before Work Begins

Cleanup is also part of the job and should be outlined in your service agreement. Confirm whether all of the debris, including branches, trunk sections and wood chips, will be cleaned up or left behind. Walking the property with the team lead after the job is finished will give you the chance to catch anything that was missed before they pack up and leave.

Tree removal doesn’t have to cause damage to the rest of your property. Hiring the right people, clearly identifying risk areas and preparing the work zone are easy steps that protect your property and keep costs low. If you live in Hayward, CA or a surrounding area and need tree removal services, make your first call to ArborTech.