Leave Tree Cleanup to the Professionals.

• Position: WINTER STORMS

Wind--during winter storms especially--places loads on tree trunks, branches, and roots, leading to higher stress. The varying lengths and sizes of tree branches tend to dampen the overall effects of wind; however, as wind speeds increase, the loads placed on stress points within the tree increase exponentially. When the loads exceed tree strength, various types of failures occur.

It might be tempting to get out there with your brother's old chain saw and do the cleanup work yourself, but a better option would be to call a professional. Doubters should run an Internet search for videos of "tree cutting gone wrong" to see just what can happen, advises the Tree Care Industry Association, Londonderry, N.H.

* There could be overhead and/or nearby electrical wires that create potential hazards and limit the options for tree cutting. Torn, hanging limbs overhead could make it extremely dangerous to cut downed limbs underneath them.

* Most chain saw work on large limbs or trees requires the experience of a trained operator to prevent injuries. Wood under tension--one or both ends of the fallen tree or branch pinned under other branches or debris--can have various types of binds at different places...