Tree trimming can be hazardous, not only for those trimming the tree but for the tree itself. If you will be trimming trees yourself, here are a few tips for addressing the major hazards the chore presents.

Hazard: Falling from a ladder.

It is not easy to cut through a tree branch while balancing on a ladder. You need to make sure you won't fall. Always have someone holding the ladder at its base so that it cannot wiggle. Also, make sure you wear rubber-soled shoes that do not slip. If you cannot get a good angle to a certain branch without putting yourself out of balance, leave it. You're better off leaving a tree on a branch than falling off a ladder.

Hazard: Cutting yourself.

It may sound contradictory, but one of the best ways to prevent cutting yourself is to have your saws and shears sharpened before you start trimming the trees. If the saws and shears are sharp, you won't have to apply as much pressure as you use them, so you are less likely to slip. You'll also make it through each branch with fewer strokes, which reduces your chances of cutting yourself.

Hazard: Infecting the tree.

This is a risk posed to the tree, not to you. It's common for pathogenic fungi to be introduced to the tree through the cuts you make during trimming. You can prevent this problem by sanitizing your tools between trees. Prepare a big bucket of bleach water, and soak your shears for a few minutes between trees. If a tree shows signs of infection, sanitize your shears after cutting an infected branch but before cutting healthy branches.

Hazard: Having a branch fall on you.

Falling branches could cause considerable injury, even if you are trimming from the ground. A good way to prevent this is to only cut partway through the branch, and then push the branch away from you to one side before cutting the rest of the way through it. This gives you more control over what direction the branch falls in.

If you follow the tips above, you can make tree trimming safer for you and the tree. However, you can avoid these hazards if you leave this chore to the professionals who are adequately prepared. However, that is not always an option.  If you are unsure whether you'll be able to trim the tree safely, reach out to tree trimming services.