Should I do my own tree work? This is a question asked by many property owners who have trees in their lawn or garden.

While it may seem easy to do, tree care and maintenance requires a lot of time, effort, and skills to do the job right. Fortunately, if you need tree service in Midlothian, Virginia, or nearby areas, you can find reputable companies who can do the work for you.

Ask the Right Questions

Are there towering trees in need of trimming in your backyard? Do you want to get rid of a tree stump that has been uprooted by the last storm? Do your bushes, hedges, and shrubs need to be tamed?

You do not have to risk life and limb to ensure that your trees and shrubbery are taken care of. There are professional tree care and maintenance experts who can ably and correctly do the job for you.

All you need to do is call them to know how exactly they can provide a solution to your tree-related needs. Some established tree service companies could even give you a free quote and a 100% risk-free satisfaction guarantee.

Tree care and maintenance work entails a lot more than just having some pruning shears or a hacksaw. There are several vital elements that you must take into consideration before you even decide to do a DIY of your yard.

Below, we have put together some guide questions to ask yourself before you dare to do the tree work yourself. These questions will help you understand the intricacies that go into tree care and maintenance.

Perhaps, after some introspection, you will realize that you do need to hire professionals to do tree service in Glen Allen, Virginia, or in neighboring localities such as Ashland, Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Manakin-Sabot, Mechanicsville, Powhatan, and Richmond.

1. Do you have enough time to do the work?

What do you do when you want a tree pruned, a stump removed, or hedges trimmed, but do not have enough time? You cannot just hack and saw every tree that you see in your yard and be done with it. Well, you can, but you might not be too happy with the results.

If you want beautifully trimmed trees or greenery on your property, it is best to call in the professionals. Professional arborists and lumberjacks can devote time to do the job correctly. You can also schedule the most convenient time to complete your yard work, so it is not haphazardly done.

Trimming, pruning, and the like can be time-consuming tasks, especially if the trees are already fully grown or if the property is of considerable size. Unlike you working alone, professional tree care and maintenance service experts work in teams. Together, they will be able to correctly and quickly remove or maintain a couple of trees.

2. Are you equipped with the right skills and knowledge?

According to the Tree Care Industry Accident Reports, there are 124 reported cases of tree-related accidents so far in 2020. Of this number, 42.6% of the 68 fatalities and 37.5% of the reported injuries comprise civilians. This contrasts with the number of tree care professionals who met the same fate, with a share of 30.9% and 17.9%, respectively.

These statistics only show that tree-related accidents do happen, and that there is a lesser chance for professionals getting hurt because they have the knowledge and expertise to perform their jobs.

Remember that safety is of utmost importance when doing tree work. You should think not only of yourself but also of the people and things around you. The incorrect cutting of tree branches, for example, can lead to injuries or damage cars or other types of property.

3. Are you insured or know the legalities involved?

Aside from safety issues, tree-related incidents can also lead to troublesome legal procedures. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that over a hundred landscape and tree fall fatalities occur every year on average. These tree-related casualties can lead to multi-million dollar lawsuits on top of the loss of life.

Legalities can be a cause for concern, especially if you are not insured. Additionally, does your insurance cover damage to a neighbor’s property? Even if it does, do you think that your neighbor would not want to have their things just the way they are?

Tree care professionals coming from established companies are insured. They are also licensed, which means that they have been adequately vetted and, therefore, capable of doing a thorough evaluation of tree structure and the safety of surrounding areas.

4. Do you have the right tools and equipment?

If you’re planning to do your own tree work, ask yourself, “how will I prune or trim hard-to-reach areas?”

Pruning, trimming, cutting, or removing a tree can be dangerous and labor-intensive. The work becomes even trickier when your tree is located near power lines, roofs, or above your garage, for example.

Professional tree service companies have the right tools to perform the necessary work correctly and safely. They have bucket trucks, cranes, heavy-duty chippers, pruning saws, and other specialized equipment. They also wear safety equipment like hard hats, climbing harnesses, and eye, hearing protection gear, and multiple ropes to make the process safe and secure.

5. Do you know what to do with the debris?

You should also think of what happens after all the tree work is done. What do you do with all the fallen branches and tree limbs? How will you get rid of enormous tree stumps? Sure, you may be able to use smaller twigs for firewood, but will all the trimmed foliage fit in your green waste bin?

Besides having the tools and equipment used in caring and maintenance, professional tree service companies will have the means to clean, remove, and dispose of the debris properly. They would have a wood chipper, for example, for turning branches and stumps into mulch.

Are you still up for it?

Now that you have a better idea of what goes into tree work, do you think you should still go at it alone? Or do you think it is best to leave it in the hands of tree care and maintenance professionals who have the experience, expertise, and equipment to conduct the job efficiently and safely?

If you’ve finally realized that the DIY route to tree work is not only unsafe but also time-consuming and practically impossible, then all you have to do is call the best tree service company in your area. So, be ready to enjoy a yard full of beautiful trees and greenery soon.