Tree plantation is essential for a clean and beneficial environment. Trees and plants also play a key role in protecting the ozone layer. Trees develop and mature at a considerably faster rate which makes their pruning important. That is why you must have primary knowledge of how to cut tree limbs that are too high to reach.
Pruning is a method in which trees, plants, and herbs are trimmed and their excess material is removed to ensure their healthy and productive growth.
Therefore, when trees become extremely larger in height and width, pruning them essential to make the environment more pleasant and avoid hindrance. Apart from this factor, some of the trees need pruning for their better and productive growth.
While cutting down tree limbs and their larger branches, it is often difficult to reach the longer branches that require cutting when you are standing in an upright position. This can come with high risk too. Therefore, it is important to be well aware of the mechanism, steps, and ways to do pruning and cutting of larger trees. This article will tell you ideal ways of how to cut tree limbs that are too high to reach and other pertinent details which can be useful to avoid any damage.
Ideal Timings For Cutting Off Tree Limbs
This is the first and foremost question that comes with a lot of imprecision and confusion that what is the correct and ideal time to cut off tree limbs and branches and the answer is when trees are observing dormancy. Dormancy is a stage of trees and plants when they are usually inactive and suspended throughout the season; particularly winters.
However, there are two exceptions that when and how to cut trees that are too high to reach regardless of the climatic conditions. One is when there is a larger chance of the spread of pest infection and the subsequent contamination that will be caused by it.
Pest infections are not only harmful to human beings but also they can easily destroy complete trees and can spread them to other trees as well. The second reason is that larger branches and tree limbs can be a hindrance if your house is closely located in the vicinity of trees. It can pose danger to your family and hence should be cut down no matter what the season is.
Critical Elements to Observe
After deciding on how to cut tree limbs that are too high to reach and to finally cut off the tree limbs, there some critical and vital elements that need observation and understanding to ensure a safe and secure limb cutting process. Following are some of the things that should be kept in mind while cutting down high limb trees.
Always choose the adequate and correct element
The adequate and correct element indicates your clothing and personal equipment that you should wear under any climatic circumstances to ensure personal safety. It is essential to make sure that your health and your body are not at the slightest risk while cutting down tree limbs.
Pruning of trees require electrically mediated equipment, so it is also very important to wear body-fitted attire that is essentially a poor conductor of electricity so that it does not reach your body while carrying out the procedure. Always remember to wear an eye protector that will protect you from dust particles, needles, and insects. Besides these all, make sure that you are wearing anti-slip shoes and ear protectors to avoid the excessive noise of electrical equipment.
Proper inspection of trees for cracks
Before climbing the trees to cut down their larger branches, it is vital to inspect and look for any cracks. In case any cracks or fractures are present, it implies that the tree will not be able to tolerate your body weight and you might fall and end up having a fracture. If cracks are present, the alternative way to climb on it without falling is to take support from someone who is standing on the ground and you can place your limbs on them as a support. The ideal way is to use an aerial lift which will prevent you from hassle.
Prevent inadequate and incorrect pruning cut
Pruning cut of trees implies the death of tree which can be caused by an improper cut. This is why it is important to prune cut the trees in an appropriate and known way. Improper prune cut is of two types; one is called a “flush cut”, in which a tree is cut down near to the trunk. Another type is called “stub cut”, in which a tree is cut down far away from the trunk. The flush cut results in slower healing of the tree due to an extensive wound and removal of the branch collar. Stub cut results in the gradual death of the tree in a retrospect manner from the root to the trunk of the tree.
Seven Different Ways on How to Cut Tree Limbs That Are Too High to Reach
Following are seven various ways that can be used for prune cutting down tree limbs that are extensively higher and larger to reach while standing in an upright position.
Cutting Off Tree Limbs With a Pole Pruner
Pole pruner is an instrument that will make prune cutting of higher tree limbs easier, simpler, and quicker; as the name indicates. While buying a pole pruner, it is essential to calculate the exact and accurate height of tree limbs and branches because usually tree limbs are looking very near to the ground. However, in a real sense, they are quite high from ground level.
To calculate this, always make a height comparison between the tree limbs and branches with the closely located high buildings and towers or you can use a tape measure as well to access the correct height of tree limbs. Pole pruners are made in variable lengths and sections. It is completely your choice to buy the type of pole pruner you want, depending on the height of the tree limb you are going o prune cut.
Using a Pocket Saw With Rope
Basically, a pocket saw is a simple chain saw which is connected with rope from both corners. A Pocket saw is a piece of cutting equipment that is supposed to be thrown over the tree limb and then the rope is drawn backward to cut off the tree limb. The blade of the cutting instrument should be kept at the right angle to ensure smooth cutting. This tool is easily available in the market and is also economical.
Using a Pole Saw
Pole saw is another prune cutting equipment. Pole saw is usually a primary preference for tree diameters that are larger than 12 inches. This equipment consists of a blade that is curved in shape. The reason for the curved or semilunar shape of the blade is to ensure that it is cutting towards the highest part of the tree limb.
The cutting motion of the pole saw is a pulling motion. This equipment generally makes the cutting process harder due to the lack of pinching. During the process of cutting, when you observe that tree limb is coming nearer to the ground level, accelerate your cutting speed to prevent any type of tearing of limb from the tree bark.
Use a Sturdy Ladder With a Pruner
While cutting down the tree limbs, make sure to use a ladder and a proper pruner. Position your ladder on the ground at a tilted angle or slant position. To be on the safe side, it is better to have someone hold the ladder to ensure stability. To make it more stable, tie it with a rope so that it won’t move while you are standing on it. Keep the ladder away from the branch or tree limb you are cutting to avoid any accident.
Use a Bucket Lift
A bucket lift should always be available at your house when you plan to cut off the tree limbs. Bucket lift basically helps you in reaching and having easier access to the canopies that are supposed to be cut down. Bucket lifts are of two types; one is a trailer-type bucket lift that can reach up to a height of 40 feet.
The second type is a commercial self-propelling type bucket lift that can reach a higher canopy of almost 120 feet. Since the bucket lift is shipped to your doorstep, make sure that there are no obstructions near your house or your locality is not too bumpy or hilly for the bucket lift to make way to your desired location.
Use Rope And Harness For Climbing
Usually, the first thought that comes up in the mind while planning to cut off tree limbs is climbing. However, higher trees pose a large risk if they are attempted to climb without any harness or rope. Rope gives support to the body while climbing a tree because the rough texture and excessive height can cause hindrance in your way and can be full of risks. The important point to note here is that if you are carrying the cutting instruments with yourself then tie them with a rope around your body so that it does not obstruct your hands and limbs.
Call a Trained Arboriculturist
An arborist or arboriculturist is a trained professional who is expertise in tree limb cutting. If tree limbs are too high or too complex to cut off, then consider taking the help of a professional arborist. An arborist knows well how to cut tree limbs that are too high to reach and how to use the equipment. Health and safety should be your topmost priority and if you think that any tree is out of your reach and is too dangerous for you to handle then hire a trained arborist and take his professional help.
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Conclusion
Tree plantation is essential as well as crucial. However, when they grow extensively large then it is also important to cut off their branches and limbs. Cutting off tree limbs appears to be an easier task but it sometimes cannot be as simple as it seems to be. You need to make sure that you have chosen the proper equipment and have taken all the necessary safety precautions.
This article explains briefly the steps and measures that are obligatory to take while pruning tree limbs and branches. You can learn from this article how to cut tree limbs that are too high to reach and can prevent uncalled damage that can come from pruning trees.
