Tree Cutting Service for Hazardous Limb Removal in New Brighton

Identifying Hazardous Branches in New Brighton

New Brighton’s mature urban forest has numerous hazardous branches that represent a serious threat to property and people, as well as the city’s infrastructure. Some of the hazardous branches may seem healthy to the naked eye from the ground level but have hidden structural flaws (i.e., disease, structural defect), making them likely to fail. The use of a professional to assess and identify these hazards prior to them resulting in property damage or an incident will be paramount to the safety of the people within New Brighton.

Some of the common hazardous conditions that occur on hazardous branches include:

• Dead/dying branches
• Splits/cracks in the branch unions
• Excessive lean of branches
• End-weight of branches
• Damaged limbs from storms, construction, etc.
• Diseases, such as oak wilt, Dutch elm disease, and emerald ash borer

The presence of hazardous branches in New Brighton’s established neighborhoods, where mature trees hang over homes, vehicles, and walkways, will create an increased need for identifying and removing these hazardous branches for continued safety.

Types of Hazardous Branch Situations

Dead/Diseased Branches

Dead or diseased branches are some of the most frequent hazardous branch situations that require professional tree-trimming services. These branches lose their strength as they deteriorate and can fall without notice, especially during windy periods or when loaded with snow/ice.

The progression of diseases that affect trees in New Brighton, such as oak wilt, Dutch elm disease, and emerald ash borer, often produces multiple hazardous branches in infected trees. A professional will assess these diseases and develop a plan for the removal of these hazardous branches to preserve the health of the remaining tree and the property.

Storm-Damaged Branches

Severe weather events that occur in Minnesota create hazardous branch situations through the damage caused by wind, ice loading, and lightning strikes. Storm-damaged branches may look fine after a storm, but can have internal damage or stress cracks that can cause them to fail later.

A professional will assess a damaged branch to determine if it poses a continued risk to people or property, even if it remains attached to the tree. The professional will then remove the hazardous branch(s) to prevent further damage and/or accidents.

Structural Defects & Weak Branch Unions

Structural defects, such as co-dominant stems, included bark, and weak branch unions, create hazardous situations that require professional assessment and corrective pruning. Structural defects often take years to develop and may not be visible to the untrained eye until assessed by a professional.

Many of the older oak, maple, and ash trees in New Brighton have structural defects due to improper pruning during their early years. A professional will assess and prune these defects to preserve as much of the tree’s original structure and aesthetics as possible.

Assessment Methods Used by Professionals

Visual Tree Evaluation

A thorough visual evaluation of the tree’s structure, health, and environmental factors is the first step in conducting a professional hazard assessment. Using standardized evaluation protocols, a certified arborist evaluates the tree to determine its defects, the level of risk involved, and the best course of action for removal.

A visual assessment will involve evaluating the branch connections, wood quality, growth habits, and environmental influences on branch stability to identify both obvious hazards and potential defects that the homeowner would not see.

Specialized Diagnostic Tools

More complex hazardous branch situations may require specialized equipment, such as resistographs, sonic tomography, and other specialized equipment to determine the internal condition of the wood and the tree’s structural integrity. These types of equipment will assist the professional in determining which branches need to be removed and how the remaining branches should be managed to avoid creating new hazardous branch situations.

These advanced diagnostic tools are especially helpful in cases involving heritage trees or trees that have a high landscape value, and the owner wants to preserve the tree while still ensuring public safety.

Correct and Safe Tree-Trimming Techniques

Removing hazardous branches safely requires correct cutting techniques that protect both personnel and property while maintaining the health of the remainder of the tree. A professional uses three-cut pruning methods, identifies the proper branch collar, and waits for the right season to minimize tree stress and encourage healing.

Using the proper cutting techniques will help to prevent bark stripping, compartmentalize the area of the trunk being cut, and reduce the possibility of introducing disease into the tree via the pruning cuts. These techniques are especially important when dealing with valued trees in New Brighton’s established neighborhoods.

Elevated Rigging and Lowering Equipment

Because hazardous branch removal in residential areas often requires elevated rigging and lowering equipment to safely lower branches into the work zone without damaging adjacent property, a professional will use specialized equipment to precisely place the removed branches in the work zone.

By using elevated rigging and lowering equipment, a professional can safely remove large hazardous branches above structures, vehicles, and landscaping, and minimize damage to property while effectively eliminating the hazardous branch.

Equipment and Safety Protocols

Climbing and Aerial-Lift Equipment and Personal Protective Gear

To perform hazardous branch removal safely and effectively, a professional climber will use professional climbing equipment, aerial-lift equipment, and personal protective equipment specifically designed for tree work.

Certified arborists continually update their training in the use of this equipment and safety procedures required to work safely at heights in difficult environments.

Commercial-Grade Chainsaws and Operation/Maintenance

A professional performing tree cutting service will use commercially available chainsaws and adhere to strict safety protocols regarding the use and maintenance of chainsaws. The proper chainsaw to use, maintain, and operate will be crucial to the successful completion of hazardous branch removal operations.

A professional operating a chainsaw will also be aware of the operational dynamics of the saw, prevent kickbacks, and position themselves properly to maintain their own safety during the hazardous branch removal process.

Timing and Seasonal Factors

Tree Species-Specific Timing

Due to the varying nature of tree species and local disease issues, the timing of hazardous branch removal will vary depending on the tree species and disease concerns. For example, oak trees should not be pruned between April and October to prevent the spread of oak wilt; elms should be treated cautiously year-round because of the concern of Dutch elm disease.

A professional will know the species-specific timing needs for hazardous branch removal to minimize the risk of spreading disease while addressing the immediate safety concerns.

Emergency vs. Scheduled Removals

While timing factors will not always be a factor in emergency hazardous branch removals, the removal of hazardous branches that do not pose an immediate danger to people or property can be done at times that are convenient for the property owner.

A professional will determine the urgency of the situation and the best time for removal based upon the specific circumstances of the hazardous branch.

Protecting Property During Removal

When performing hazardous branch removal in residential areas in New Brighton, protecting property from damage is of utmost importance. The property owner’s home, vehicle, landscaping, and utilities are all at risk during hazardous branch removal. A professional will take steps to protect the property owner’s property from damage and use specialized techniques to minimize damage to adjacent properties during the removal process.

Protecting property during removal will involve establishing a work zone, placing protective coverings down, and using rigging equipment that will allow the removed branches to be placed in a controlled manner during removal. Protecting property will prevent damage to the immediate work area and nearby properties.

Follow-Up Care After Removal

Following hazardous branch removal, there is usually some type of follow-up care needed to restore the health of the remaining portion of the tree and to prevent the formation of new hazardous branches. Follow-up care could include wound dressing, structural pruning, or continued monitoring of the tree for signs of instability or weakness.

Follow-up care provided by a professional will help to keep the tree healthy and identify any additional structural concerns that may arise from the removal of the hazardous branches.

Ongoing Maintenance and Prevention

Maintaining a regular schedule of maintenance and hazard assessments will greatly reduce the number of hazardous branches that can develop in the first place. Regular pruning and inspection of the tree will help to identify potential hazards before they become actual hazards.

Preventive-maintenance programs will help the residents of New Brighton maintain the safety of their trees while keeping the urban forest that adds to the beauty and property values of the neighborhood.

Choosing a Qualified Professional to Perform Hazardous Branch Removal

Selecting a qualified professional to perform hazardous branch removal services in New Brighton will help to ensure that the removal is performed safely and effectively to protect people and property. A professional service will have the necessary licenses, insurance, and certifications to perform the complex tasks associated with hazardous branch removal.

Our company provides complete hazardous branch removal services throughout New Brighton, utilizing advanced techniques and equipment to eliminate hazardous branches while preserving the health of your trees and property. Our certified arborists recognize the challenges associated with working in established neighborhoods and will work diligently to protect both you and the environment while providing the highest quality tree-cutting services.