You see a tree on your property that seems to be damaged at its crown or maybe it’s starting to grow into wires. Yet its branches are much too high to reach.
How do you cut tree limbs that are too high to reach? The most important thing is to be safe. Of course, we recommend you contact a professional tree service. We have the training and the proper equipment to cut tree limbs safely and efficiently.
And there’ll be no mess for you to clean up afterward!
But if you insist on cutting tree limbs that are at a high elevation, here are a few tips:
- Use a ladder or extension ladder to reach the branches. Make sure the ladder is stable and set it up against the tree in such a way that you will have a good grip on the tree limb when you cut it.
- Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect your hands and eyes.
- Use a saw with a sharp blade to make the cuts. A dull blade can cause the branch to split and may result in injury.
- Cut the branch slowly and steadily
Keep the Tree Crown Evenly Distributed
If you plan to trim only a few branches, keep the overall shape of the tree in mind. You don’t want to remove too much of the tree’s crown.
The crown of a tree is all the parts that extend from its main trunk and branches. It needs to be evenly distributed to reduce the risk of the tree toppling over. An uneven crown means an uneven weight distribution, which is particularly risky in areas that are heavily populated or on properties where there are structures, wires, and pedestrians nearby.
Tree topping, once a popular practice in Pennsylvania and other states, is no longer recommended unless the tree has grown in a way that it leans to one side or power lines are threatened. If you suspect a tree on your property should have the crown thinned or its top branches removed, contact a professional.
Professional pruning and trimming are the easiest and safest ways to remedy such situations. An uneven crown, even when the tree appears to be stable, can impact how the tree grows in the future and potentially cause unbalance.
Prune The Tree Correctly
When pruning a tree, always cut the branch off just above a lateral bud – that is, a bud that is facing sideways, not up or down. This will ensure that the tree will grow back healthy branches in its place. Removing a branch by cutting below a lateral bud can cause more damage to the tree than if you had left it alone.
Tools Needed for High Tree Trimming
When cutting a tree limb that seems too high to reach, the following equipment is the minimum needed:
- Ladder or extension ladder
- tree trimming saw
- gloves
- safety goggles
Always use a ladder or extension ladder to reach the branches. Be sure the ladder is stable and set it up against the tree in such a way that you will have a good grip on the tree limb when you cut it. Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect your hands and eyes. Use a saw with a sharp blade to make the cuts.
Keep in mind, these tools in combination are a formula for high risk. OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) reports that on average, there are over 100 landscape and tree fall fatalities every year. Tree care is not for the inexperienced!
The professionals at Reaching Higher have years of experience in the tree care industry servicing both Lancaster & Chester PA counties. We welcome your questions and can provide an estimate for how much it would cost to safely remove tree limbs that are at high elevations.