A website about the right tree cutting

Cutting tree branches or overhanging branches is an inseparable part of a property owner, whether it’s trimming of the beloved tree that has been amusing you for several decades now or cutting off that branch that has been hanging over your parking slot dangerously close to the ground.

Whatever your case is – we prepared a short guide for you to understand what steps you should follow to get your tree branches cut and make it safe and sound.[/color-box]

Before you start cutting tree branches

As scary as the process might appear to you when bracing yourself and preparing to type in the search bar “How to cut tree branches?”, removing tree limbs is actually not that much of work.

First things first, let’s review all equipment and skills you would need for this unforgettable adventure – cutting tree branches.

Backed up with bravery and the absence of the fear of heights, please make sure you do not have any dizziness, headache, increased blood pressure, balance problems, or anything that can cause falling down from the height. Next, we check the equipment for limb removal:

• An extension ladder
• A chainsaw
• A rope
• A pruning saw or pole saw
• Safety equipment, like goggles, gloves, and other things you believe you may need to protect yourself from small branches, insects, etc.

Before you start, read the instructions on the equipment used and make sure to strictly follow them. We also strongly advise you to have an assistant during the whole process (you can ask your relative, a friend, or a neighbor) who would be able to give you a hand in case you require help or things get out of control.

If you do not feel confident of cutting tree branches yourself, lack the equipment, possess any of the symptoms from the list of medical precautions, it would be best if you could hire the professionals to do the job.

10 easy steps to cut tree branches

If you still are full of energy and determination to push through this dangerous mission yourself, here are the steps you can follow to make tree limb removal flawless and easy.

1. Place the ladder at a 75-degree angle to the roof against the building next to the tree a branch of which you wish to cut. Make sure to have your ladder extended enough (3 feet above the roof at least)
2. Get to the top of the ladder and make it to the roof so that you have solid support during the operation. Important: if you cannot find the spot that allows reaching the branch without leaning over the space with no solid support, do not risk your safety and order professional service with a cherry picker to get the job done.
3. In case you are able to reach the branch from the stop you chose, cut a small section of the branch with the chainsaw or pruning saw. This section should be small and light enough to hold it and drop when doing the cut without difficulty and/or putting your balance in jeopardy.
4. Repeat step 3 several times until you are not able to reach the branch anymore (the branch, however, might still have some undesired length)
5. You may stop at this point if you find the results of your work satisfactory. However, if you desire to cut the branch further, you need to change your location and make the following preparations:
6. After thoroughly examining the branch and ensuring it can support the ladder and your weight, you can lean the ladder next to it and continue cutting the branch in small sections. Look out to not cut too close to the point of contact between the branch and the ladder! In case if you have your doubts about the security of this step, we encourage you to skip it.
7. Once there is no more space on the branch to put the ladder against, it is time for the third (and the last) phase of the operation. Make your way up the ladder to the branch and tie a rope to it at least 1 foot away from its edge. The end of the rope should reach the ground and have a slack of the length of the remaining branch.
8. This time the ladder is to be put against the tree trunk; the position should be stable and solid, close enough to the branch so that you can reach it with the best saw for cutting tree branches without much leaning forward.
9. While you perform the cut, ensure your assistant is pulling the rope away from the property to avoid any possible damage. If the branch is too thick or heavy for a person to handle it, ask you, assistant, to tie the rope to the car to effectively pull it away.
10. When the mission is accomplished and the branch is successfully cut, make sure to fold down the ladder back to its storage state and collect all your instruments. Check the roof and the other branches of the tree for any items left behind.

Useful Videos: Step-By-Step Cutting Tree Branches

In these videos, you will find out how to cut tree branches properly and how to trim a tree limb that is out of reach

Cutting a tree branch, bear in mind

Speaking generally, cutting limbs and trimming trees is not a difficult procedure. However, it does involve a certain level of risk and a set of precautions is to be taken (we talked about them at the beginning of the article, if you skipped that part, we advise you to get back to it and devote a minute of your time to look them through).

Now that you have a clear picture in mind about how to cut tree branches, we have some tips to share with you that would enhance the safety of the operation and make the experience more enjoyable.

Thorough preparation is the key. Not only you need to have all the equipment at hand and gather all your courage to cut the limbs yourself, but also there are preparation actions to be taken.

Inspect your tree first; understand what exactly it is that you need to remove (if there is anything to remove at all), and look out for slippery spots, and unstable surfaces as you move around during examination.

Such checks better be run permanently with desired frequency (however once a month is considered to be sufficient). You do not necessarily require a ladder to inspect your tree; a pair of binoculars can be used for the inspection of branches that are hard to see from the ground.

Next, when you understand the scope of upcoming work, make a plan. Choose carefully in what sequence you need to cut the branches when there are several to be cut and where and how you place the ladder.

Cut by small pieces. As we mentioned in the easy steps, the branch is always to be cut not the whole one at once, but step by step in small pieces that you are able (except the last one) to hold with your own hand.

This way you would keep the situation under control and not risk dropping the piece of wood, jeopardizing your balance or risk to fall.

Don’t cut the branch collar. When it gets to the last final cut, which is believed to be the most difficult to perform, you would want to make your cut right above the spot where the collar is. Please ensure not to remove any part of the collar itself! Collar plays an utmost important role in the healing process.

When damaged, it cannot perform its function right, and the tree risk getting infected or rot. It is a highway to a tree’s death.

• Make the branches short enough. First, it will give you the ultimate level of satisfaction with the completed job, because what can be more beautiful than admiring the fruits of our own efforts?
• Second, leaving part of an unnecessary limb would result in the tree having difficulty with forming the scar tissue that keeps the wound open for too long and can result in potential infection.
• Do not use tree paint. Despite common beliefs, tree paints that are advertised as tree wound dressings and healing supplies often do more harm than good.
• Trees have the amazing ability of self-healing, as long as they are provided proper opportunities and conditions. Let that tree cuts dry, and you will see your tree happy and healthy in no time.
• Use the right tools. All the tools you decide to use for tree limb removal must be clean and sharp. Dull rusty saw leads to infecting the fresh wound and drastically decrease the tree’s chances of healing properly.
• Timing matters. Just like for human beings, trees are very sensitive to the season changes, temperature, humidity, etc. Certain times of the year are better for trimming than the others.

Winter is considered to be the best season for such manipulations due to the favorable temperature conditions; in cold the flow of the tree sap is slowed down since there are no leaves to nurture, and the infections and bacteria are less active during this period of time, so your tree is less likely to get sick during its healing.

• Don’t hesitate to ask for help. It might be the hardest part of all – to admit you have problems and call the specialist to assist you with them.

However, we assure you, the money you pay and the displeasure you might experience is worth having your tree treated properly, saving your property from potential damage, and avoiding risking your health.

Sometimes many homeowners wonder how to cut down a small tree. Trees certainly go a long way towards your garden, but there may be situations where cutting down small trees is simply unavoidable.

That might be the case when you want to clear your yard and make it visually spacious or, for example, when a tree interferes with your actions. If you still need to cut down a tree, heed our advice.

Having a good chainsaw doesn’t mean you’ll cut the tree right. You must not only have the necessary tree removal equipment but also know certain techniques, have special skills in order to know where to cut correctly and not to injure yourself.

Knowledge of safety rules is very important!

We suggest you learn five must-know tips that even beginners can use. These five tips will help you find out how to cut a small tree without hurting yourself!

A guide to properly cutting down small trees

Observe the following guidelines if you wonder how to cut small trees:

1. Prepare the equipment and materials you need;
2. Plan your actions;
3. Clear the Base of the tree;
4. Assess the cutting area;
5. Сut the tree at a comfortable height for you;

First of all, you should consider what equipment will be useful to you. Look on the internet or ask professionals about the necessary tools. You will probably need a chainsaw, stump grinder, or ax to cut down a tree. A cross saw may be useful too.

Also, take care of your safety and wear gloves, goggles, and even a safety helmet. Wearing these things will protect your head and eyes.

Useful Video:  Recommendation How To Cut Down A Small Tree.

In this video, you can see practical advice on how to cut down a small tree.

When the equipment is ready, estimate the direction of the tree falling. It should not fall on your crops and damage you and your property. Even small tree cutting, if not carried out properly, can be a disaster.

Next, you need to make sure the base of the tree is clear of debris. If dry leaves or grass are growing, remove it. These actions will help you not to be distracted from your main work. The preparatory phase is extremely important!

In addition to this, assess the cutting area. Sometimes trees can be taller than you imagine, so they should not be underestimated. Calculate everything well, even if the trees seem small to you.

After your preparations, when the process of direct cutting of trees begins, we advise you to follow these steps:

• do not squat while felling a tree;
• keep your small tree cutter in a convenient state for you;
• tilt your body forward and backward and make sure you feel comfortable;
• do not cut the tree too close to the ground, work at a comfortable distance: it is easier and faster to remove the stump later;

Remember that cutting down even a small tree can be difficult if you don’t know the simple rules.

When you know how to cut down a small tree correctly, everything will go well. The most important thing is that you do not harm yourself. Accordingly, the issue should be approached very seriously.

Correct and safe felling of a tree is real even for beginners! We hope that our tips will be useful for you and you can put them into practice. A well-thought-out plan and tree cutting techniques of action will help you avoid a possible disaster.