Tall trees present magnificent structures providing plenty of shade and large habitat for a wide array of birds and other life forms. Like with any other tree, tall trees also need tree trimming and pruning at regular intervals to ensure their optimal health as well as your safety and the safety of your neighbors. If one limb of the tree gets too heavy or dies, it could detach from the trunk resulting in injury to persons in the vicinity and damage to properties. Generally, most homeowners prefer hiring a tree trimming service when tall trees are involved. When you understand the task in-depth, you can easily see the inherent risks involved. Check our site if you want to know more about how professionals take care of your trees.
But, if you are focused on a DIY, here are some useful tips to help you along:
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Your Ladder
To gain access to the top of your tall tree, the first step is placing a ladder against your tree. Ideally, you should choose a tripod ladder for stability on the soft turf surrounding the tree. When a tripod ladder is not available, an extension ladder or straight ladder can also be used. Ensure that ladder spikes are attached to the bottom of the ladder leg. These spikes are screwed into the side of the ladder and inserted into the ground so that the ladder is safe from slippage.
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Safety Harness
The next step involves climbing up the ladder and fixing a safety harness and wrapping the strap of the harness around the tree. Tighten the strap in a manner that it stays snug and lock the strap in place. No getting into the harness and tighten so that it stays firm around the hips. This way, you will be protected in the event of the ladder slipping, or you have a fall. Carefully examine the tree to ensure that no power lines are running across it since that could lead to electrocution when you cut through the line. Power lines close to the tree also pose equal danger, and you are better off hiring a professional tree trimming agency to handle the job.
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Once concerns from electrical lines are extinguished, you can start with removing damaged and defective parts of the tree, which is essential to ensure the health of the tree as well as the safety of people living or walking near the tree. Use a battery pole saw or a pruning pole saw and pruning clippers for removing diseased and dead branches that you may find. If desired, you should prune for aesthetic appeal. Visually divide your tree into three parts and avoid pruning any branch that is located above the bottom third of your tree. While removing the branches, make sure that you are cutting about a quarter-inch above the closest bud. Avoid pruning the leader branches which extend from the tree at about 40oangle.
Now let us examine the pieces of equipment and other ancillaries that you will need to execute a tree trimming job.
- Pruning Pole
- Pruning Clippers
- Safety Harness
- Tripod Ladder
Ensure that the safety harness is attached to a healthy and solid part of the tree to afford protection to you from potential falls.
Cut each branch at a slight angle in a manner that the uppermost part stays angled inward towards the trunk of the tree slightly.
Remember that removing over a quarter of the crown of the tree in any one season could lead to irreparable damages.
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Precautions
This is not a job for the faint-hearted people or those who fear heights or those who do not have adequate experience handling a chainsaw. If you embark on this task, know that you are expected to have good stamina and strength in the upper region of your body. In other words, this is arduous work.
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Power Lines
As you do know, high voltage power cables can arc several feet from its actual line. If you are employing an aerial truck, you could easily get in contact with or hit a power line, which can be life-threatening.
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Playing It Safe
Make sure that your pets, family members, or friends do not come under the equipment or where the branches could fall. You should always know where the branches are likely to fall. Do remember that if you accidentally drop a huge branch onto the roof of your home or it pierces through the roof of your new car, you would end up spending several times the money you saved through DIY.
You should also know in advance the max height that you are planning to reach. Look for potential obstacles and determine the type of lift that you will need. If you are unsure about this, have a knowledgeable employee from the equipment rental oversee this part of the work.
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Go Slow Taking Care
While trimming tall trees, you should be very cautious and never hurry through the process. Till you gain experience, cut only the branches which are about two or three inches thick. Cut the longer branches in 2 to 3 feet pieces and never attempt cutting a single branch that is 20’ in length, for instance. While sawing or cutting, do not try to reach over the head and always keep a hand-saw and loppers in the basket. Ensure also that your spotter who operates the control panel knows what to do if something happens while you are in the basket.
Conclusion
Pruning tall trees is no ordinary task. Consider every single safety measure before you embark on the task. Call a professional if you have the slightest doubt about your abilities.
