Professional Tree Removal: 5 Reasons You Should Never Try to Do It Yourself
That old, dead oak looming over your garage has to go. You’ve watched a few videos, borrowed a chainsaw, and figure you can save a few bucks by tackling the job yourself.
Stop right there.
While the idea of a DIY project is appealing, tree removal is one of the most dangerous, complex, and unpredictable jobs around. It’s not landscaping; it’s high-risk demolition involving heavy, uncontrolled weights.
Before you make a decision you’ll regret, here are five critical dangers that prove why our professional tree removal services are always worth the investment.
1. The Sheer, Unpredictable Weight of Falling Wood
A 50-foot pine tree can weigh thousands of pounds. When you cut a large limb or section of the trunk, you are unleashing an immense force that can behave in completely unpredictable ways.
Kickback: Limbs under tension can “whip” back toward the ground or the cutter, causing severe injury.
The Widowmaker: Even when felling a tree, a large branch can break loose high up and fall hours later, earning its dangerous nickname.
Miscalculation: If your cut is off by just one degree, a multi-ton tree can fall exactly where you don’t want it—which brings us to our next point.
2. Catastrophic Property Damage
Amateur tree removal is the #1 cause of preventable property damage claims involving trees. A professional arborist’s insurance policy accounts for this risk because we know how high the stakes are.
Think about the structures near your problem tree: your roof, fence, garage, or even your neighbor’s property.
A professional tree removal company in Denver, like Arbor Doctor Tree Service, employs a controlled descent strategy:
We use specialized rigging and ropes to lower pieces precisely.
We dismantle the tree section by section, often with a crane or bucket truck.
We manage the fall zones down to the foot, ensuring no impact on surrounding structures or landscaping.
One misstep in a DIY job can easily result in tens of thousands of dollars in structural repairs—far exceeding the cost of hiring a licensed and insured pro.
3. The Risk of Severe (or Fatal) Injury
This is the most critical reason. According to the CDC, chainsaw-related injuries are often severe, and fatalities are common among non-professionals attempting tree felling.
The dangers aren’t limited to the cutting phase:
Falls: Climbing an unstable tree or using an unreliable ladder to access high limbs puts you at serious risk of a devastating fall.
Power Lines: Unintentionally dropping a branch onto a power line can result in electrocution or start a fire. Arborists are trained to assess utility risks and coordinate with power companies when necessary.
Inexperience with Equipment: Chainsaws, chippers, and heavy rigging equipment require expert training to operate safely.
4. Hidden Tree Defects and Internal Pressure
You can’t judge a tree’s health just by looking at the outside. Many trees look solid but have internal rot, pest damage, or weak structural unions.
An experienced arborist performs a thorough inspection before the first cut, looking for:
Fungal Growth: Indicating internal decay and instability.
Tension/Compression: Knowing exactly where the wood is pulling and pushing is vital for a safe cut—a novice may cut into a stressed area, causing the trunk to violently snap.
Weak Points: Identifying pre-existing cracks or weak forks that could fail prematurely during the process.
Ignoring these hidden defects can cause a seemingly straightforward removal to turn into a life-threatening scenario in seconds.
5. Liability and Insurance Nightmare
If you attempt tree removal and a limb damages your neighbor’s roof, fence, or vehicle, you are personally liable for the repairs. Your standard homeowner’s insurance policy may not cover damages caused by high-risk, unpermitted activities.
A reputable tree removal company in Denver, like Arbor Doctor Tree Service, carries extensive liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
Liability Insurance covers damage to your property or your neighbor’s property.
Workers’ Compensation covers any injury sustained by our crew while on the job, protecting you from personal injury lawsuits.
If a DIY job goes wrong, you could be facing medical bills and property damage costs that easily soar into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Only Safe Choice: Call the Professionals
When it comes to tree removal, your safety and the integrity of your property should be your top priorities. Don’t risk a devastating accident to save a few dollars.
Our team provides safe, efficient, and fully insured tree removal in Denver and the surrounding areas. We have the training, the right equipment, and the experience to handle trees of any size and complexity.
Ready to safely remove your hazardous tree?
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation estimate! Call us at (720) 298-7279 or use our FREE ESTIMATE form! We look forward to hearing from you!
