Two Situations That Require the Services of a Professional Arborist
While there are many DIY tree care tasks that a safety conscious person with experience can do, there are some that present too great a risk to someone lacking the training and proper equipment. One of these is removing large trees, especially when they\’re near a house or some other valuable structure. However, there are a number of smaller tasks that the DIY person should also cross off their to-do list. Here are two of them:
Branches Near Power Lines
If you have a tree with limbs growing near power lines, it seems like a simple matter to get a ladder and saw, and remove the limb. This is a strong temptation, especially if branch removal is routine work for you. However, that risks electric shock or possibly electrocution. Perhaps you might feel the lines are probably the same voltage as that of the power outlets in your home. But only the power service people know that for sure. Power lines along roads may carry thousands of volts. There\’s a huge qualitative difference between the voltage that powers your television set and the thousands of volts that may flow through a power line.
For example, ordinary rubber gloves and the rubber soles of your shoes won\’t protect you. Their insulative properties are insufficient. In fact, the rubber soles of your shoes probably aren\’t pure rubber, and may contain other additives that act like electrical conductors. Even a wood ladder isn\’t necessarily sufficient for high voltages. Few things act as perfect insulators. Electricity will pass through almost anything if the voltage is high enough. Even air conducts electricity at high voltages. That\’s why lightning is such a danger. When tree work requires getting close to power lines, it\’s time to contact an arborist.
Pruning Large Branches High off the Ground
If your tree has a large branch that\’s diseased or damaged, it needs removal. However, if its access requires a ladder and its size requires a chainsaw, you should leave the job to professionals. Safe chain saw use requires that you not position yourself below the limb when cutting. In addition, it requires a stable platform. Cutting above your head risks the chainsaw falling on you, while using a ladder risks falling to the ground with the chainsaw in your hands. A professional arborist has access to the right equipment to do the job safely.
If you require the services of an arborist to do tree work safely, contact us today at Advanced Tree Care. You can follow along on Facebook and Instagram, or you can contact us here if you have any questions.
