At Mr. Tree, we understand the importance of preventative maintenance in overall tree care. There are many types of services you’ll want to schedule with a professional arborist like The Local Tree Experts to ensure that your trees remain healthy and well-manicured. But we also understand that, in-between service appointments, you’ll want to perform smaller tasks to maintain your trees’ health and appearance. If you’re a novice arborist, you’ve come to the right place to learn more about what you’ll need to outfit yourself for these do-it-yourself projects. We’ve outlined the major equipment and accessories you’ll need to take care of your tree trimming needs.

Safety Gear

One of the most important types of equipment you’ll need in order to perform any tree trimming work is safety gear. Tree service can be incredibly dangerous so you’ll always want to leave the heavy lifting to the pros. Smaller tasks you can tackle yourself, but even if you believe that the task at hand is relatively easy and your risk is minimal, be sure to wear eye goggles and gloves.

You should also wear headgear protection, proper shoes, and UV protection, as well as hearing protection when working with noisy equipment. If working near a road or high traffic area, be sure to wear highly visible clothing. You should also wear leg protection when working with a chainsaw.

Tree Trimming Ladder

Once you’re properly outfitted for the task at hand, you’re ready to get to work. Unless you’re trimming a small tree, you’ll more than likely need a tree trimming ladder. There are many types of ladders you can use to perform tree trimming work. If the tree isn’t particularly tall, you may only require a step ladder to reach the full height of the tree. If you choose a step ladder to perform your tree trimming work, be sure that the spreader is locked before climbing on the ladder, and remember to never stand on the very top step.

If a step ladder doesn’t provide you with the height you need, then an extension ladder may be necessary. If using an extension ladder, raise it to the necessary height and then lock both sides. Make sure the base of the ladder is level and firmly planted on the ground prior to ascending it. You should also be sure to follow the four-to-one rule for proper positioning of the ladder.

Once the extension ladder is properly positioned, be sure to hold onto the side rails with both hands while climbing up or down the ladder. Never stand on the top three steps of an extension ladder and center your body between the rails of the ladder while you’re standing on it. It’s also a good idea to use a full-body harness or safety belt. Follow additional steps outlined here to ensure you’re using the extension ladder properly.

If your yard has soft or uneven ground, a tripod ladder could be a good option for you. Similar to a tripod, these types of ladders have three legs, which offer support and stabilization on difficult terrain. It’s important to note that the improper use of tripod ladders has led to many slips and falls, so you must take proper precautions when using one. The back of the tripod ladder should be positioned toward the center of the tree, for instance, to provide additional support in the event of a slip or fall. To ensure that you’re using a tripod ladder correctly, review these important steps.

Another option for tree trimming work is a closed-top ladder. This type of ladder has two rails that join together at the top. It’s a good idea to rent these types of ladders from a trusted source; for example, you can visit Lakeside-hire.co.uk/ for more details. Closed-top ladders are good tree trimming ladders for those who do frequent pruning. The closed top provides additional stability and also fits well within a tree crotch.

Hand Tools

Once you’ve picked out the right tree trimming ladder, you’ll want to secure the other tools you need to care for your tree. You should have a pair of pruning shears for trimming small, thin twigs. For live branches, you’ll want to use bypass pruning shears. For dead branches, you should use anvil pruning shears. If you want to trim out-of-reach branches and don’t have a tree trimming ladder at your disposal, try using pole pruners instead. Most pole pruners can reach heights of eight feet or more and can easily slice through branches. Pole pruners are best used on thin branches that are no more than five inches thick.

If you want to trim thicker branches, you may want to opt for a lopper instead. Loppers are similar to pruning shears, but the blades are thicker and the handle longer. This makes them a great supplementary tool for your toolbox. Loppers can be used on branches that are up to two and a half inches thick, and they’re particularly useful for pruning vines and fruit trees. For branches that are any larger, you’ll likely need a saw.

All of this trimming will of course cause tree clippings to fall to the ground, and leaves may blow all over your yard, so don’t forget to keep a quality leaf rake, like those you can find at https://www.backyardstyle.com/best-leaf-rake/, on hand in order to make clear up as easy as possible.

Disposal

Once you’ve trimmed your branches, you’ll need a way to haul them or repurpose them. Wood chips can be used for composting or as mulch, so you may want to rent a wood chipper. Otherwise, you’ll want to have a truck, trailer, or some other way to transport the branches off your property for proper disposal.

While you can certainly perform tree trimming work yourself, you should always call a professional arborist for major projects. As we mentioned before, tree service can be incredibly dangerous, so you’ll always want to leave the heavy lifting to the pros like Southampton Tree Service Company - removing even a single large limb could cause serious bodily injury if not done properly. Save yourself the time, energy, and risk of injury by contacting the experts at Mr. Tree for your tree service needs. We can help you with any size task. So don’t hesitate to give us a call!