Do you have a fallen tree near your house causing disturbances in your daily routine? You should clear that up after figuring out how long it would take. 

To clear a fallen tree, there is no set time that you must spend. Depending on the size of the tree, the accessibility, the expertise of the people involved, and the tools you use, the time may vary. Clearing a fallen tree can take you anywhere from a few hours to a few days. 

For more information, please continue reading. 

Why Do Trees Fall In Storms?

The answer to this question may sound simple: the force of the wind. While this is true, other factors come into play. Trees are strong enough to withstand harsh winds, but due to the urbanization and shallow root systems that trees have begun to develop, fallen trees have become a regular occurrence in storms. 

Urbanization

Urbanization plays a significant role in the development and growth of trees by making them weaker and more susceptible to falling. Some of the reasons urbanization hinders tree growth are soil compaction, soil pollution, water supply issues, and root damage. 

Most of these factors directly result from the raw materials used in construction and the pollution caused by the construction process. 

Shallow Root Systems

Shallow root systems are one of the major causes of fallen trees. Shallow root systems mean the roots should be deeper in the soil. Due to this, the trees are not anchored as securely in the soil as they would be if the roots were deeper. 

Consequently, the tree is more likely to be uprooted or toppled by strong winds from the storm. 

Moreover, shallow root systems do not provide the support needed to hold a tall tree. The shallow roots may fall weak in comparison to the weight of the tree and fail to provide stability when faced with a storm. 

The tree is also void of any nutrients that may aid in the development and strength of the tree. This makes it weaker and more susceptible to diseases putting it at a higher risk of falling. 

The rain and flooding resulting from the storm damage trees with shallow root systems more severely than deep-rooted trees. The soil is easily waterlogged, eroded, and this causes the tree to collapse. 

Factors That Determine Time Taken 

Clearing up a tree takes a few hours to several days, but how do we decide that? Some factors that come into play determine how long it would take to clear the fallen tree. We have discussed all of them below. 

Size Of Tree

The most important factor you must consider before you can anticipate how long it will take to clear a fallen tree is the size of the tree. If the tree in question is small and below 6 feet, it would only take you a few hours to clear it out. 

However, if the tree is huge and spans over meters, you may have to break the process down over a few days. 

Accessibility 

You cannot remove a tree if you cannot reach it. The accessibility of a tree depends entirely on the area where it fell, the topography of the area, and the buildings around it. If most of the tree is hard to reach because it is in a narrow area, you may have to work slowly and take days to remove it. 

However, if your tree is entirely accessible, time may not be an issue. You could clear it up in just a few hours. 

Tools Available

Your tools determine the productivity of your work. The heavier the tools, the quicker your work will be done, and vice versa. If you are using a tractor to pull the tree away, you may be able to accomplish your work sooner, but if manual labor is involved, you may need multiple people and more time. 

Moreover, using an ax instead of a chainsaw will make your work easier and more convenient. You should always choose your tools wisely and consider the tree’s size. It is always a good idea to work smarter, not harder. 

Expertise Of People

You have two options for clearing a fallen tree: get experts to do it or do it yourself with the help of other people if needed. If an expert is involved, they would already know the way around the process. They would be able to gauge the situation better, develop a plan that gets work done efficiently, and lead the way. 

However, if you wish to do it yourself and have never cleared a fallen tree before, you may have to go through some attempts and learn with trial and error before figuring out the right technique. 

Additional Steps Involved

Removing a fallen tree may be an easy feat, but sometimes it may require more work than what meets the eye. Sometimes parts of trees may break, but the stump might stay intact. If you wish to also remove the stump, a complicated procedure that involves several chemicals and machinery may have to be performed. 

Moreover, sometimes the entire tree may not have fallen, and some of the bark may still need to be cut. Similarly, roots may have to be removed. These additional steps may require more time, resources, and labor. If these steps are optional, you may not require much time, and it will be done sooner.  

Final Thoughts

There is no clear way to calculate the time you can clear a fallen tree, but if you consider all the factors discussed in this article, you can come up with a rough estimate. Knowing how long the process will take can help you manage other things more adequately. 

It also ensures that the process is cost-effective and does not strain your pocket.