Tree Trimming

Tree trimming is a crucial aspect of maintaining healthy trees and a beautiful backyard. While it's always best to hire a professional arborist for tree trimming, sometimes you may need to do it yourself to save money or time. In this blog post, we'll guide you on how to safely and effectively DIY trim trees in your backyard.  Below is a step-by-step guide to the process you should go through every time you trim trees.

1. Assess the tree: Before you begin trimming the tree, conduct a thorough assessment of it. Look for any damaged or diseased branches, as well as any signs of insect infestation. If you notice any of these issues, it's best to call a professional arborist to handle the trimming. Issues like those are not something you want to deal with on your own.

 2. Gather the right tools: To trim a tree safely and effectively, you'll need the right tools. You'll need a pruning saw, lopping shears, hand pruners, and a pole saw. Make sure all the tools are sharp and in good working condition so you can trim effectively.

 3. Decide on the type of pruning: There are three types of tree pruning: crown cleaning, crown thinning, and crown reduction. Crown cleaning involves removing dead, dying, or diseased branches. Crown thinning involves removing branches to allow more light into the tree. Crown reduction involves removing larger branches to reduce the size of the tree. The type of trimming you'll require depends on your specific wants and needs. Decide on the type of pruning you want to do before you start trimming.  

4. Wear protective gear: Tree trimming can be dangerous, so it's essential to wear the right protective gear. Wear gloves, a hard hat, eye protection, and sturdy boots with good traction. 

5. Start pruning: Start by removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Make sure to cut them back to healthy wood. For larger branches, use a pruning saw. For smaller branches, use hand pruners or lopping shears. Make sure to make clean cuts to prevent damage to the tree. The priority here should be the health of the tree, even over aesthetic value--a dead tree won't look that good anyway, so make sure you're careful with it.

6. Trim the branches: After removing the dead branches, start thinning out the tree. Remove any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. Cut back branches to a lateral branch or the trunk. Make sure not to cut too much off the tree, as this can damage it--again, tree health is the priority.

7. Finish pruning: After you've trimmed the tree, step back and assess your work. Make sure the tree looks balanced and healthy. If you notice any other branches that need pruning, go ahead and trim them. Take your time with this job, and your tree will show the work.

8. Clean up: Dispose of sticks and branches that you trimmed/that fell off. You can use them for mulch or fertilizer or just haul them away to a dump in a trailer. Either way, get your ground back to what it used to look like before you started trimming.

 In conclusion, tree trimming is a crucial aspect of maintaining healthy trees and a beautiful yard. While it's best to hire a professional arborist for tree trimming, you can safely and effectively do it yourself by following these steps. Remember, safety should always come first. If you're not comfortable trimming a tree, call a professional arborist to handle the job.

Pxhere, 26 Mar. 2017, pxhere.com/en/photo/1271986#google_vignette. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.