Winter is a tricky season to take down trees that are sick or damaged or that pose a high risk to people and property. Yet, waiting till the weather warms up to remove these trees is also dangerous. Even so, laypersons shouldn’t even attempt to take down large trees. Professional arborists know the best ways to take down dangerous trees while being aware of the risks posed by winter and knowing how to counteract them.

The Challenges of Winter Tree Removal: Frozen Soil

In Colorado, winters can get cold enough for the very ground to freeze. Some arborists like this because it firms the ground up, while others worry that frozen ground can be slippery. A problem that’s probably worse than the ground freezing is the freeze-thaw cycle. This is when the ground freezes at night and then thaws during the day as temperatures climb above freezing. The cycle can repeat for days and makes the ground unstable. When this happens, it can delay the removal and damage property that should have been left untouched.

The Weather

It can sometimes take hours to take down a very large tree, and daylight in winter is fleeting. Snow in Boulder is frequent during the winter months. Though it tends to melt quickly, it still accumulates on tree branches. Tree branches are already brittle in winter, and the weight of the snow makes them especially hazardous. Ice, which doesn’t leave as quickly as powdery snow, makes damaged and fragile branches even more of a risk.

Cold vs. Equipment

The cold weather also affects the equipment needed to remove trees. Vehicles might not start up right away in cold weather. The fuel in chainsaws is sluggish, and its teeth may become frangible. The batteries in battery-powered equipment don’t last as long as they might. However, professionals know to warm up their equipment before they start work.

Cold vs. Workers

Another reason that a layperson shouldn’t try to take down a large tree in winter is simply because of the cold weather. Tree removal teams have to guard against frostbite, heat loss, and even difficulty breathing in the cold. These problems can sneak up on you even if you think you’re dressed for the weather. Icy ground and pavement are slip and fall hazards. Even if they protect themselves, cold weather makes workers less dexterous and slows them down. This makes handling dangerous equipment even more dangerous.

Call Us for Tree Removal

Tree removal is necessary in all seasons. You might not be able to wait to remove a 100-year-old oak that’s leaning ominously over your home after an ice storm. If you need tree removal, even in the winter, don’t wait to call our professional arborists at Tailored Tree of El Dorado, CA.