Working in the forest does involve risks, and I agree with the principle that safety always comes first. The following touches briefly on my experience with many of the potential hazards, and some of the ways in which I have learned to be careful.
Before even beginning to work in the backyard forest I would have the trees evaluated by an arborist and hire a reputable tree service to remove any dangerous trees or limbs.
Watch Footing and Avoid Falls in Every Terrain
Stay Away from Yellowjackets, Wasps, and Bees
Wear Protective Clothing but Expect a Few Scratches and Mosquito Bites
Stay Out of the Forest During Windstorms
Avoid Dangerous Trees and Limbs
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Watch Footing and Avoid Falls in Every Terrain
In every terrain, I always try to watch my footing, especially when working off trail. I don’t want to fall, twist an ankle, or hyper-extend a knee. I’m especially careful when moving through heavy vegetation, and over fallen logs and limbs. I am wary of hidden holes in the ground, especially where Mountain Beavers live.
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Avoid Dangerous Slopes
Avoid working on slopes that are too steep and high. Any fall can result in serious injury. The steeper the slope the greater risk of falling, and the higher the slope the more a fall may result in serious injury. Factors that make slopes too dangerous to work on include not only steepness and height, but also the weather, condition of the soil, type of vegetation, and the amount of fallen trees and limbs. For example, it is easier to slip and fall if the understory is thick with vegetation and fallen limbs, or if the soil is slick from wet or freezing weather.
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Stay Away from Yellowjackets, Wasps, and Bees
Yellowjackets, wasps, and bees can be aggressive, especially near their nests, and especially during late summer and early fall. If they start buzzing around, I don’t idly try to swat them away and keep working. I immediately leave the area in haste, taking only enough care to watch my footing. If possible, I run! I go at least 10 yards away from the spot, stop for a moment, and determine if I have been followed. If so, I keep running away. I’ve learned the hard way that if I don’t act this way, I can get stung repeatedly by yellowjackets that keep pursuing far from the nest. I don’t go back to an area near a nest until late in the wet season. (See post on Yellowjackets.)
The other types of wasps don’t seem to be as aggressive as Yellowjackets, but I stay away from them as well. Most bees are friendly, except for the little fuzzy ground nesting bees. They can be almost as bad as Yellowjackets and should be treated the same.
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Wear Protective Clothing but Expect a Few Scratches and Mosquito Bites
Always wear protective work clothes and gloves but expect a few scratches and mosquito bites working in the woods. My legs get scratched at times by broken limbs or Blackberry thorns. I often get minor scratches on my lower wrists where they are exposed between my sleeves and gloves. When working around fallen trees, I’ve learned to watch out for sharp stubs left where limbs have broken, especially when they are hidden in the foliage. I often take my hand saw and cut these off cleanly next to the trunk to remove the hazard.
Mosquitoes can become quite thick and persistent at times. As soon as they appear in the spring, I begin to carry mosquito repellent in my pocket and apply it to exposed skin areas as soon as one starts buzzing around. They are annoying, even in small numbers, and can carry West Nile Virus. Certain years in certain places they can become so thick, that for me, work in the woods is only tolerable wearing a head net.
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Be Careful with Trash
The backyard forests of the Puget Sound region I have worked in contained varying amounts and kinds of trash and debris. It is not only unsightly, but it can be hazardous, especially for animals and children, and I try to carefully remove every last piece I find. It’s one more reason to always wear gloves and carry plastic garbage bags. I haven’t come across hypodermic needles or syringes in backyard forests, but organized work parties in public parks should be equipped with designated sharps disposal containers.
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Protect Your Back
Forest restoration work requires a lot of bending over and is not suitable for anyone with back problems. You don’t want to injure your back or aggravate an existing condition. When my back starts to get tired, I take a break, stand up straight, and relax for a few minutes. If, at any time, I start to feel pain, it’s time for me to stop for the day and come back only when my back is no longer sore. I also do regular floor exercises to maintain my strength and flexibility, including several that target my back.
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Use Tools Properly and Safely
Though very few tools are needed for forest restoration work, each has the potential to cause serious injuries if used carelessly. If you have never been instructed on tool safety, there are many good resources on the web. Very briefly, some of the guidelines for using tools safely include:
- Carry tools at your side with the points down and be careful with them around other people.
- Be mindful of the hand that is not holding the sharp saw or hand clippers. You don’t want to accidentally saw your thumb or clip your finger.
- Make sure nobody is standing close to you when you are using a shovel or a hand tiller and be careful where and how you leave them when they are not in use.
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Stay Out of the Forest During Windstorms
The forest floor is littered with fallen trees and fallen branches, most of which have come down during windstorms. You don’t want one falling on you, hence, stay out of the forest during windstorms. Note that forest safety is another reason to keep Ivy from growing up trees. The leafy masses of Ivy in the high branches of trees can act like sails, catching the wind and increasing the likelihood of the trees being toppled in windstorms.
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Avoid Dangerous Trees and Limbs
Be aware of what is above you as you work. Avoid working beneath trees and limbs that have started to fall but have been caught up for one reason or another and could break free and fall. Only attempt pruning limbs that you can reach while standing on the forest floor. Any tree maintenance needed beyond what you can reach from the forest floor should be left to a professional tree service. Don’t try to cut down large trees yourself.
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Keep Hydrated
If I am going to be out for 2-3 hours, I get a good drink of water before I leave and then carry at least a pint of water in cool weather and a quart in hot weather.