Very few people know when Tree Needs Removal. Many people are fascinated by the fact that a small acorn can grow into a stately tree 25 meters high. But the power of nature can become a problem in small home gardens. when typical forest trees are planted on private property. If you have a large tree that has been rooted in your garden for decades. you usually need a professional Tree Removal

 

Instead of cutting down the entire tree. It is sometimes enough to remove diseased or rotten branches and thin out the crown a little. By thinning out the crown. The tree no longer casts as much shadow and is more stable. However , working with the chainsaw at dizzy heights should be left to an arborist. He can also assess whether and how a tree can be preserved.

Felling trees: Can I do it as the owner?

As a garden owner, you are also the owner of the trees on your property. However, that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want with your property. Because trees have always been under special protection. Anyone who cuts down a tree without authorization can commit a criminal offense. The owner of a condominium should also be cautious about felling a tree. Even if he has a special right to use his garden share. At the owners’ meeting, the majority of the co-owners usually have to decide that a specific tree will be felled. Anyone who falls a tree on their own may be liable for damages.

Some municipalities’ tree protection ordinances prohibit the felling or pruning of trees or shrubs over a certain size and age

Foto: Shutterstock/markara

What does the tree protection statute say?

Most municipalities have adopted tree protection ordinances that prohibit cutting back or felling trees and shrubs that are over a certain size or age. This has made it very difficult to remove roots , branches or entire bushes. Such statutes generally apply from a certain trunk circumference (usually 80 centimeters, measured at a height of one meter). In some municipalities, selected species such as fruit or coniferous trees are exempt. Only the felling of small, young trees is unproblematic. In any case, you should find out or call a professional  locally whether there is a protective statute and check whether your own tree is affected by it.

It is possible to apply for exemptions. In practice, however, these are only rarely granted. For example in the case of sick trees or if the tree is in danger of falling over. There are usually no exemptions for other impairments. Before felling a tree. Be sure to check the legal situation with your municipality.

When can trees be felled?

Felling a tree is permitted from October to February inclusive. In the other months it is prohibited according to the Federal Nature Conservation Act. This also applies in communities that have not adopted a tree protection statute. This regulation ensures that breeding birds can raise their offspring undisturbed. If a tree poses an acute danger, exceptions are also possible.

Safety when felling trees

To avoid an accident, it is best to leave the felling of a tree to a landscape gardener or tree climber. They are familiar with official issues and have the right tools and the necessary expertise, for example if a tree has to be removed piecemeal. Anyone who wants to fell a tree as a private individual must wear complete protective equipment such as cut protection trousers, safety shoes, a helmet with a visor and hearing protection as well as gloves and must also have completed a basic chainsaw training course.

Felling a tree: This is important to note

Before felling a tree, many things must be considered, including the care required in traffic. The scope of a tree protection ordinance, the Federal Forest Act and other public law regulations. Sometimes the neighbor also has to agree to felling a tree. You have to expect criminal proceedings for damage to property, negligent bodily harm or negligent homicide if an accident occurs during felling. If you cut down a tree yourself, you should make sure that, as far as human beings can see, nothing can happen. The safest way is therefore to go to the responsible authority in your municipality (usually the building authority or green spaces authority). Anyone who reports the felling and receives a permit does not risk any trouble with the police or even a fine. To avoid liability risk, you should hire a professional landscape gardener or arborist, especially if you have large trees.

How much does it cost to fell a tree?

Thinning out the crown of large trees usually costs between 450 and 650 euros, plus the costs for disposing of the clippings. Although felling a tree is possible for around 500 euros, it can cost several thousand euros depending on the effort and disposal. If the rootstock has to be removed, it usually costs 150 to 450 euros.

Remove tree stump

If a piece of trunk is left standing when felling. The rootstock can be removed more easily. To do this, dig up the trunk generously with a sharpened spade. Which can also be used to cut through stronger anchor roots. If necessary, the saw will help. As soon as the rootstock has been exposed and separated as deeply as possible, the trunk piece is now used to push over and lever out the tree stump. Thick anchor roots must be cut through with a saw. Read the more information

Of course, the quickest way is to hire a specialist company to remove the tree stump . In this case, a so-called stump grinder is usually used. Which removes the tree stump below the ground surface. It is cheaper, but also much more time-consuming, to let microorganisms work for you: First, use the chainsaw to cut a narrow checkerboard pattern into the stump up to the level of the earth’s surface and then fill the cracks with half-ripened compost . After a few years, the stump will have rotted enough that you can remove it.

In a ruling dated October 27, 2017, the Federal Court of Justice once again commented on the issue of shadows and falling leaves. Trees that do not comply with the limit distance required by state law can often no longer be felled because too much time has passed since they were planted and the state law exclusion period has therefore expired. In these cases.

There may be a claim for compensation under neighbor law. if the increased cleaning effort as a result of the falling leaves, needles, flowers or cones exceeds what is reasonable (according to Section 906 Paragraph 2 of the Civil Code). Whether the reasonable limit has been exceeded always depends on the specific individual case. However, this does not apply to so-called negative influences such as shadows. As these must generally be accepted according to the established case law of the Federal Court of Justice – with the exception of very rare individual cases.