Hazardous & Large Tree Removal

What Makes a Tree Hazardous?

Not all trees are safe to keep on your property. Some pose serious risks that require immediate removal by professionals. Understanding what makes a tree hazardous helps you identify problems before disaster strikes.

A tree becomes hazardous when it threatens people, structures, or other property. This happens through disease, damage, poor location, or structural problems. In Porterville, we see hazardous trees resulting from drought stress, storm damage, age, disease, and improper maintenance. These trees can fail without warning, causing injuries and expensive property damage.

Signs your tree might be hazardous include a noticeable lean, especially if it developed suddenly. Dead or hanging branches in the canopy. Large cracks or splits in the trunk. Decay or hollow areas in the trunk or major branches. Root problems like heaving soil, exposed roots, or fungus growing near the base. Trees with multiple trunks that form weak attachments. Trees too close to power lines or structures.

If you notice any of these warning signs, call us for a professional assessment. We'll evaluate the tree's condition and recommend the safest course of action. Some trees can be saved with proper care, but hazardous trees often require complete removal to protect your property and family.

Challenges of Large Tree Removal

Large trees present unique challenges that require specialized equipment, advanced training, and careful planning. These aren't trees you can fell with a chainsaw and hope for the best. The size and weight involved mean mistakes have catastrophic consequences.

Limited Space

Most large trees grow in residential areas with houses, fences, power lines, and other obstacles nearby. You can't simply cut the tree at the base and let it fall. We need to dismantle the tree piece by piece from top to bottom, carefully lowering each section to avoid damage.

Weight and Height

Large trees can weigh several tons. Branches alone might weigh hundreds of pounds. Working at heights of 50, 60, or even 80 feet adds complexity and danger. Our crews use ropes, rigging systems, and sometimes cranes to safely control how wood comes down.

Structural Instability

Many large trees need removal precisely because they're unstable. Decay, damage, or disease weakens the structure. This makes the removal more dangerous because the tree might behave unpredictably. We assess structural integrity before climbing and take extra precautions with compromised trees.

Our team has decades of combined experience removing large and hazardous trees. We use proven techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to handle these complex jobs safely and efficiently.

Our Specialized Equipment and Techniques

Complex tree removal requires tools beyond basic chainsaws. Here's what we bring to handle hazardous and large tree removal:

• •Crane Services: For extremely large trees or tight spaces, we use crane-assisted removal. The crane lifts large sections directly off the tree, eliminating the risk of falling wood
• •Rigging Systems: Professional-grade ropes, pulleys, and lowering devices let us control exactly where and how wood comes down
• •Climbing Gear: Safety harnesses, specialized saws, and positioning equipment for working at extreme heights
• •Wood Chippers: Industrial chippers that process branches quickly for efficient cleanup
• •Stump Grinders: Powerful machines to remove stumps after the tree comes down
• •Aerial Lifts: When appropriate, bucket trucks provide stable platforms for working at height

We select the right tools and methods for each specific situation. Every large or hazardous tree removal begins with a detailed plan that accounts for the tree's condition, surrounding obstacles, and safest removal sequence.

Our Safety-First Approach

Hazardous tree removal is one of the most dangerous jobs in tree care. We take safety seriously because lives depend on it. Our safety protocols protect our crew, your property, and anyone nearby.

Before starting any hazardous tree removal, we establish a safety zone around the work area. No one except authorized crew members enters this zone. We identify all potential hazards including power lines, underground utilities, structures, and uneven terrain. We develop a removal plan with backup options if conditions change.

Our crew uses personal protective equipment including helmets, safety glasses, ear protection, gloves, and chainsaw chaps. Climbers wear specialized harnesses and use multiple tie-in points for redundancy. We maintain constant communication during the removal using two-way radios and visual signals.

We also carry comprehensive insurance including liability coverage and workers compensation. This protects you financially if the unexpected occurs. Many tree services operate without proper insurance, leaving homeowners exposed to significant risk. Always verify insurance before hiring any tree removal company, especially for hazardous work.

Our safety record speaks for itself. We complete complex removals regularly without incidents because we never cut corners and always prioritize safety over speed.

Hazardous & Large Tree Removal FAQs