5 Ways to Trim Really Tall Trees Properly and Safely
Trees are a lovely addition to any garden or yard and help to improve air quality. Plus, lush, tall trees, provide a decent amount of shade for birds and animals and for your family on hot days. However, some trees can grow extremely tall and start to become unmanageable.
And, if you stop pruning and maintaining their branches, these can start to encroach on buildings and public walkways, which can become a hazard. Plus, dead branches may break off, which can potentially cause an injury to someone.
If you have a tall tree that needs trimming, let’s look at your options.
Pole Pruner
A pole pruner is a tool for cutting and pruning high tree branches. They range from 6 to 12 feet long and are best used on branches less than inch thick. The pole pruner makes quick work of soft woods such as magnolia or pine, but dead maple or oak branches, may be tougher to cut. If your high tree limbs are mostly dead or extremely thick, call in an arborist to do the work for you.
Pole Saw
Pole saws are similar to the pole pruner and are used to trim high branches or the top of hedges. You can choose from three types, including the manual pole saw, electric pole saw and gas saw. The manual option is similar to the pole pruner, but the electric option is powered by a motor, meaning it’s better to use on thicker branches. Pole saws come with either a fixed pole or a telescopic pole which allows you to extend the length and reach greater heights.
Ladder with a Pruner
The third way to trim really tall trees is to get off the ground by using a ladder. This of course, comes with some risk, so you must ensure the ladder is properly stabilized and that you’re confident at heights. It’s also a good idea to tie the ladder to the tree for safety and to wear a helmet. When the ladder is secure, you can climb up and trim dead or dying tree branches.
Rent a Bucket Lift
Bucket lifts can be rented from specialised contractors in your area. They come in a variety of sizes and can reach up to hundreds of feet high. You can also choose ones that need pulling with a truck or that can be delivered to your property. Once you have your bucket lift next to the tree, ask your lift operator to move you upwards next to any dead branches, which you can trim with your pruner.
Call a Local Arborist
The final way to trim really tall trees and the safest option, is to call your local Brisbane arborist. Tree pruning and trimming is extremely dangerous work and without the right training, you are putting yourself at risk if you complete the work yourself. Another benefit of using professional tree services is that they know how and where to trim tree branches, to encourage new growth.
If you prune a tree at the wrong time and cut in the wrong places, you can cause it to die.
