How to Trim a Tall Tree
Tall trees are magnificent structures that provide ample shade, as well as a large habitat for many varieties of animals. Like all trees, tall trees must be trimmed and pruned occasionally to keep them in optimal health, and also for safety reasons. If one of the tree's limbs dies or becomes too heavy, it could break away from the trunk, causing injury to nearby persons and damage to property. While it is recommended that you hire a tree-trimming company to deal with extensive tree trimming for safety reasons, you can perform small pruning tasks yourself.
Place a ladder against the tree. Ideally, you should use a tripod ladder, which will provide stability on the soft turf around the tree. If you do not own a tripod ladder, a straight or extension ladder can be used instead. Use ladder spikes on the bottom of each ladder leg; these metal spikes screw into the sides of the ladder and are inserted into the ground to keep the ladder from slipping.
Fix a safety harness to the tree by climbing the ladder, then wrapping the harness's strap around the tree, tightening it so that it is snug and then locking it in place. Step into the safety harness and tighten it so that it is firm around your hips. This will help protect you in the event that you fall, or the ladder slips.
Examine the tree carefully to verify that no power lines run through it, which could result in electrocution if you cut through one of them. If any power lines are within the vicinity of the tree, hire a tree-trimming company to trim the tree for you.
Remove defective and damaged portions of the tree, which is necessary for both the tree's health and for the safety of those who live or walk near the tree. Using pruning clippers and a pruning pole, remove any dead and diseased branches you find.
Prune for aesthetic reasons if desired. Visually divide the three into thirds, and avoid removing any branches that are located above the bottom third of the tree. When removing branches, cut the branch 1/4 inch above the nearest bud. Avoid removing leader branches that extend from the tree at approximately 40-degree angles.
- Wear a safety harness attached to a solid, healthy portion of the tree to help protect yourself from falls.
- Each branch should be cut at a slight angle so that the uppermost part is angled inward toward the tree's trunk slightly.
- Removing more than one-quarter of a tree's crown in one season could result in irreparable damage to the tree.
Gemma Craig began writing in 1993, expanding to various websites in 2007. She writes about interior decorating and design, travel, film, literature, technology and consumer electronics. Craig's work has been published in "Spinner," "USA Today" and numerous regional newspapers.