http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2009/02/18/news/021909aztreesafety.txt
Inexperienced chainsaw wielders looking to save a few bucks on storm damage cleanup should think twice about seeking professional advice before climbing up a tree.
A Springdale man trimming a tree avoided serious injury Tuesday night when a falling tree trunk hit him on the head, knocking him unconscious for a moment as he dangled from a tree on Carlton Street.
Firefighters rescued the man, who was treated and released from Northwest Medical Center-Springdale, but it could have been a lot worse, said Battalion Chief Quinn Roberts with Springdale Fire Department.
"Without having the proper equipment, it can be very dangerous," Roberts said. "This guy is lucky. He could have been killed."
The man's mistake came when he failed to cut underneath the large branch first. The chainsaw cut only from the top and the tree trunk kicked out, hitting the man when it split and fell.
An Elm Springs man wasn't so lucky. Lanny Downum died Feb. 7 when he was pulling down a tree with his tractor on Brush Creek Road and the tree fell on him.
When it comes to large trees, ask or hire a professional if you're not sure, said Battalion Chief Terry Lawson of the Fayetteville Fire Department.
"A lot of people went out and bought a chainsaw but have never even used one before. It's particularly dangerous to climb up in a tree and use a chainsaw," Lawson said.
Jeff Hibdon and Todd Wagner of Colt Tree Service in Camdenton, Mo., have been in the area trimming trees for the past two weeks following the Jan. 27 ice storm. On Wednesday, the pair were removing limbs from a large tree near the Maple Street Apartments in Fayetteville.
"We've seen some silly stuff out here," Hibdon said, referring to trees improperly cut or cut too much.
Split limbs should definitely be removed no matter how small the split because the limb will eventually die and fall. Those limbs should be removed at the base instead of removing larger portions of the tree that are still intact, Wagner said.
Tree trimmers should always use a harness to tie off the tree before attempting any tree restoration. A simple belt and lanyard will allow for a safe perch in a tree. Limbs should always be trimmed from the side or above it, never underneath it, Wagner said.
"That is very important. This is dangerous work. You have to constantly be aware of your environment and surroundings," Wagner said.
The safest way to trim trees is harnessed to a bucket truck using a pole saw that extends out to allow limbs to be removed from a safe distance, Hibdon added.
Inexperienced chainsaw wielders looking to save a few bucks on storm damage cleanup should think twice about seeking professional advice before climbing up a tree.
A Springdale man trimming a tree avoided serious injury Tuesday night when a falling tree trunk hit him on the head, knocking him unconscious for a moment as he dangled from a tree on Carlton Street.
Firefighters rescued the man, who was treated and released from Northwest Medical Center-Springdale, but it could have been a lot worse, said Battalion Chief Quinn Roberts with Springdale Fire Department.
"Without having the proper equipment, it can be very dangerous," Roberts said. "This guy is lucky. He could have been killed."
The man's mistake came when he failed to cut underneath the large branch first. The chainsaw cut only from the top and the tree trunk kicked out, hitting the man when it split and fell.
An Elm Springs man wasn't so lucky. Lanny Downum died Feb. 7 when he was pulling down a tree with his tractor on Brush Creek Road and the tree fell on him.
When it comes to large trees, ask or hire a professional if you're not sure, said Battalion Chief Terry Lawson of the Fayetteville Fire Department.
"A lot of people went out and bought a chainsaw but have never even used one before. It's particularly dangerous to climb up in a tree and use a chainsaw," Lawson said.
Jeff Hibdon and Todd Wagner of Colt Tree Service in Camdenton, Mo., have been in the area trimming trees for the past two weeks following the Jan. 27 ice storm. On Wednesday, the pair were removing limbs from a large tree near the Maple Street Apartments in Fayetteville.
"We've seen some silly stuff out here," Hibdon said, referring to trees improperly cut or cut too much.
Split limbs should definitely be removed no matter how small the split because the limb will eventually die and fall. Those limbs should be removed at the base instead of removing larger portions of the tree that are still intact, Wagner said.
Tree trimmers should always use a harness to tie off the tree before attempting any tree restoration. A simple belt and lanyard will allow for a safe perch in a tree. Limbs should always be trimmed from the side or above it, never underneath it, Wagner said.
"That is very important. This is dangerous work. You have to constantly be aware of your environment and surroundings," Wagner said.
The safest way to trim trees is harnessed to a bucket truck using a pole saw that extends out to allow limbs to be removed from a safe distance, Hibdon added.
