The 5 common mistakes made by homeowners when tree trimming

As home homeowners find out, at some point there will come a time when tree trimming or even tree
removals are necessary. These practices can greatly increase the trees health and is essential for its
growth. Regular maintenance including tree care and other tree services can minimize the risks of
certain things happening. Falling limbs, and dead branches that are regularly trimmed and cared for can
help avoid costly tree service in the future.

Let’s face it, nobody wants to hire a local tree service when they feel they can do the job themselves.
Handling this task will sound tempting to a lot of DIYers who want to save time and money. We don’t
recommend anyone try tree service because the most dangerous job in world. Statistically more people
are injured doing tree service that any other job. It is best to hire a professional tree service company for
tree trimming and tree removal. Not all will listen so we will try and list some of the common mistakes
homeowners make when attempting to do it themselves.

1 – The first and most common mistake is not using personal protective equipment (PPE) and ignoring

safety. Most homeowners don’t even know what PPE is available to them. When your local tree service
is called and shows up in a long sleeve jacket and pants that match it’s not to make a fashion statement.
This is a special arborist pants and jacket. They have a proprietary material that will stop a chainsaw
immediately if the saw comes in contact with any part of the garment. You will also notice your arborist
wearing his or her helmet, face shield, and hearing protection which is also very important. A lot of tree
service professionals also have special tree service boots and gloves. All this is needed to protect
yourself from the hazards of tree trimming and tree removal. Once slip with a chainsaw could be a fatal
event.

2 – Some homeowners have had their chainsaw for years and have never serviced it. Proper service

and sharpening can help a great deal when attempting to trim and prune a tree. Regular maintenance
will stop you from having to fight an hour or two with a chainsaw that won’t start because you left last
years gas in the saw. Or maybe your chain keeps falling off because it’s not adjusted correctly and/or
dull. Most tree service companies have one day a week when maintenance is done on equipment. This
mitigates the risk of having issues on the job when performing a tree removal. So, if you’re going to do it
yourself, make sure you service your equipment or have someone do it for you. It could make the job
safer, less stressful, and not cumbersome.

3 – While some homeowners have keen eye for trimming, other homeowners may go overboard.

A tree service professional can spot dead or damaged branches that need tree trimming. They also
understand the importance of maintaining the tree’s integrity while removing branches to make room
for future growth. Generally speaking, if the limbs of the tree are healthy, you shouldn’t trim any more
than 20 % of the leaf-bearing branches at the crown of the tree. These are all great reason to contact a
tree service company near you to address any tree concerns you have.

4 – When tree trimming another common mistake made is not leaving a stub.

A common misconception is that you should cut a limb flush to the trunk of the tree. This is known as cutting the
branch collar. It Seems to make sense, right? You don’t want the limb to grow back so cut in flush is
what the average homeowner thinks. Have you ever run out in the rain or snow just to feel it fall on your
arms? The tree is doing the same thing only its essential to the health of your tree. A tree needs water,
sunlight, and nutrients to grow and flourish. Although some of this is supplied at the roots, the branches
play a major role in the delivery of these necessities. That is why it’s important to leave a good size stub
when tree trimming and pruning. Not doing this can cause a number of serious problems including tree
disease, fungus growth, insect infestation, and uneven bark. Instead of worrying about this, contact a
tree service company and avoid the hassle.

5 – Tree trimming and pruning the wrong time of year can lead to a number of issues.

Trees grow significantly during summer and spring. If the trimming is due to damage or dead limbs that’s one thing,
but maintenance trimming is something that’s tough to understand. Certain trees may need tree
trimming at certain times. Trimming certain trees in summer can cause sunscald where the bark has too
much exposure to sunlight creating this visible damage to your tree. If you’ve read this far you probably
have realized that tree service is a lot more than just buying a chainsaw from the local hardware store.
There’s a lot to know and research. Most arborists go to continuing education classes and stay up to
date on any new information regarding their craft. That’s why it’s best to contact an arborist at your
local tree service company to help with your project.