Why It is a BAD Idea.

Felling a tree might seem straightforward—but when it’s a large tree near a home or building, it becomes one of the most dangerous tasks a person can attempt. Cutting down a big tree in the wrong way can lead to severe property damage, personal injury, or even death.

If you’re thinking about taking on this kind of job yourself—or hiring someone without proper qualifications—here’s what you need to know before making a costly mistake.

Don’t listen to your cousins uncles brother who used to do tree work ( Tree Bubba Hack, in reality, he drug brush for a couple days, couldn’t handle it, quit and is now a pro…)

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You Can’t See What’s Inside the Tree

Unless you have X-ray vision or a giant magnet, you have no idea what’s hiding inside a mature tree trunk.

Many large trees next to homes have:

• Old tree stakes, fencing, nails, or even rebar that were driven in years ago

• Metal hardware completely grown over by the tree

If one of these objects is hidden near the hinge cut, it can cause the cut to fail, redirecting the fall in a completely unpredictable direction—sideways, backward, or right toward your house.

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Ropes Can Snap — and So Can Plans

Even if you’re using a rope or winch to try and “steer” the tree, things can go wrong fast.

• Over-pulling on a rope can cause it to snap, potentially injuring you or anyone nearby.

• A compromised tree (due to internal rot or metal) may not hinge as expected.

• If the structure is weakened, it can split or twist suddenly under pressure.

You should never use a truck or heavy equipment to pull over a tree.
If it takes that much force to make it move, you’re doing it wrong. It’s not only risky—it’s a recipe for disaster.

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Large Trees Near Homes Should Be Dismantled, Not Dropped

The right way to handle a big tree close to a structure is to dismantle it carefully, piece by piece.

This means using:

• Rope rigging systems

• Climbing gear

• Specialty pulleys and mechanical advantage tools

At Swearinger Tree Care, we use tools like snatch blocks, pulleys, and fiddle blocks—these are force multipliers that allow controlled movement without overpowering the tree. With the right setup, one man can pull a large branch or trunk section safely—without relying on risky brute force.

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What Happens When It Goes Wrong

If you try to drop a tree and it hits your house, the results are often catastrophic:

• Roof collapse

• Structural failure

• Broken plumbing or wiring

• Foundation cracks

• Long-term, expensive repairs

To make matters worse, your insurance company may deny your claim if they determine the incident was caused by negligence. That means if you—or someone you hired without proper credentials—caused the damage, you’re likely responsible for all of it.

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Why You Should Call Scott Swearinger

I’ve been working in professional tree care for over 30 years. I learned from the best. 
In all that time, I’ve never had a lost-time accident—because safety, precision, and experience are at the core of everything I do. I have never damaged a home.

I don’t drop large trees near homes—I dismantle them carefully, using safe, modern rigging techniques and force-controlled systems. If there’s a safer way to do it, I use it.  

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Final Thought

Don’t risk your house, your health, or your future trying to remove a tree with guesswork and hardware store tools.

If you have a large tree near your home, call me, a Professional Arborist who understands tree structure, safety, and liability.
Call Scott Swearinger. I’ll take it down the right way—the first time.