What to expect from an Axe & Wedge Tree Works project will depend on a number of factors: type, size, scope and complexity.
The access to your trees, type of yard, type of tree(s), equipment and manpower needed, as well as unknown factors like the internal integrity of the tree and the weather, are just some of the factors that have to be considered when completing a tree project.
While seemingly complex, tree projects fall into 3 main access categories:
If your project is a removal, and the tree has enough space, then it is possible to cut the tree down in one piece using a method called felling. The trunk is face cut to weaken the tree and to help determine the direction of fall. A back cut is then made to remove the holding wood until the tree’s centre of mass causes it to fall. Sometimes wedges or pull ropes are used to persuade the tree to fall in a direction that it doesn’t naturally want to go. Once the tree has fallen to the ground, it is then processed with chainsaws into smaller, movable pieces.
If the tree is close to buildings or power lines then felling isn’t practical or safe. In these cases, a mechanical spider lift is used to access the tree, or the tree is scaled from the ground by one of our professional tree climbers. The branches are cut off and dropped into a drop-zone, or rigged down with ropes, to ensure that they don’t fall into hazards like power lines or onto adjacent buildings.
If access for machinery is limited, or the terrain is too rough, the final option (if possible) is to use a large crane to lift the trees out of the yard where they stand, and place them down in a more accessible drop-zone, usually the road. This is often the preferred method of removal to minimize yard damage and ensure ultimate control while lowering heavy material in a safe and predictable manner.
The Day of your Tree Project
On the day of your tree project, crews will arrive with multiple trucks, trailers and equipment. The crew supervisor will conduct a quick site audit and (should you choose to be there) discuss any final scope of work details with you. While this happens, the crew will be busy setting up the site: Ensuring a safe work zone, controlling traffic, laying protective ground mats and unloading all the machinery needed to make your project go smoothly. Before the actual tree work begins, you will see the crew gather for a brief tailboard safety meeting where they discuss the scope of work, work plan, known hazards, and safety plan. Finally, roles and responsibilities are assigned and the crew will get to work.
What Will Be Left?
For a typical tree removal, the tree would be cut down to a low stump, as flush to grade as reasonably possible.
Any branches 9″ in diameter or smaller will be chipped and removed unless you request to have the brush or chips left on site. The trunk wood will either be left for your use as logs, a neat pile of 4′ sections (or 16″ firewood rounds as an extra service), or we will haul all the wood from site. If you want to get rid of the stump, you can opt to have it ground down ~ 6″- 8″ below grade with our stump grinder, or removed entirely with an excavator. These are extra options that will need to be discussed with your sales rep either prior to the project’s commencement, or as a new work order once the tree has been removed.
Finally, the crew will clean their way out of your yard. All leaves and branches will be raked up to the best of our ability, and any major divots left from moving heavy wood will be filled with topsoil. While we do our best to ensure a 5⭐️ clean up that leaves your yard looking better than when we got there, this quality of service is a bit weather dependent. Rain and snow make it hard to get it spotless, but we try our best 😀.
How to Prepare your Yard
If you are planning on having a tree removed, there are a few little preparations you can make ahead of time to make the project run as smooth as possible.
Make Space for the Vehicles
There will usually be a lot of equipment involved in the safe and efficient execution of your tree project.
Visit our instagram to get an idea of what might be showing up in front of your house on project day.
So, to the best of your ability, make sure that there is enough space in front of your property for multiple large vehicles. The closer our vehicles can park to your property, the better. It may be worth trying to reserve some parking spaces in advance rather than leaving it to luck.
Clear Access to the Tree
The workers will need to go back and forth from their vehicles to the tree with gear and equipment, so make sure that there is a clear route for them to get back and forth. The last thing you want is for them trying to squeeze past parked cars in the driveway when they’re hauling wood or moving heavy equipment.
If there is alternative access to your yard this can make things a lot easier. You may want to inform your neighbours about what is going to happen. If access to your tree requires us to go into your neighbour’s yard, you will need to get their explicit permission, and they will need to sign a release of liability waiver.
Remove Anything Breakable
There are likely to be a lot of branches removed from the tree.
So if you have any breakable items near the tree such as plant pots or furniture, move these out of the way or to a different location. Ensure gates are tied back, and gutter drain pipes are removed. If we have to move items for you, it will make the process longer and you may receive further charges for the additional time.
Animals
Please keep your yard clear of any animals for the duration of the process as they could cause a serious safety hazard to themselves and the workers. Also, please take the time to remove any “droppings” that you can find. We will have a small army of people, machinery, and equipment in your yard. As much as we love furry critters, cleaning poop off of rigging rope or boots is not fun.
That’s it! We look forward to working with you, and appreciate the opportunity to wow you.
