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The ultimate tree trimming checklist – Ensuring safety and efficiency every time
Trimming branches and limbs from a tree is more challenging and riskier than completely removing them. This task requires specialized skills such as tree climbing and pruning, often involving the use of portable power tools like trimmers and chainsaws. Electrocution and falling from tall trees are among the primary causes of fatalities during tree trimming activities. This article is a comprehensive guide to safely trimming trees.
Select A Day With The Right Weather
- Selecting a day with ideal weather conditions is crucial when planning to trim or prune trees. The best times for pruning deciduous trees are in late fall or early winter after the trees have shed their leaves. During this period, the bare branches make the tree’s structure visible, enabling accurate and precise pruning.
Conversely, evergreen trees are best pruned lightly in late winter. It’s advisable to avoid pruning activities from January through early March. Moreover, exercise caution by avoiding tree trimming when it’s windy, stormy, wet, or icy. These weather conditions can pose significant risks, particularly when dealing with tall trees that require climbing.
Inspect for Potential Hazards
- Conduct a thorough inspection of the tree and its surrounding area for potential hazards, such as electrical lines and broken tree limbs, before trimming or pruning. Eliminate any identified hazards before working to maintain safety.
Utilize Appropriate Tools
- Ensure the selection of appropriate tools for tree trimming and pruning. Carefully evaluate the task’s requirements and choose the correct tools to facilitate efficient and safe completion.
Use Protective Gear
- When using equipment such as chainsaws or trimmers, protect your hands by wearing leather lineman’s gloves. Additionally, shield your head with a protective helmet or hard hat, your ears with appropriate ear protection, and your eyes with comfortable eye protection.
Ensure your footwear consists of shoes with heels and slip-resistant soles to minimize the risk of slipping. For added safety when working near electrical wires, opt for long-sleeved, close-fitting clothing paired with a non-conductive hard hat.
Obtain Adequate Training
- It’s crucial not to operate a chainsaw or an aerial lift without proper training. Ensure you’ve undergone sufficient training to use the necessary tools for trimming or pruning, including climbing the tree safely.
Verify Tool Condition
- Thoroughly inspect your tree trimming equipment, including harnesses, ladders, climbing ropes, and latches, to ensure they are in optimal condition.
Double-check the condition of your tools and sharpen them as necessary to guarantee both efficiency and safety during operation.
Close Supervision of The Tree
- Closely supervise the tree for weak or dead limbs. Remove or break any identified dead branches, as relying on split, weak, or dead branches for support is unsafe. During climbing, place hands or feet on separate limbs and progress cautiously, moving only one step at a time. If the tree’s condition poses risks, consider utilizing an aerial lift for safer access.
Plan Emergency Safety Routes
- Plan alternate safety routes in the event of an emergency. By planning for potential accidents involving yourself or nearby individuals, you can minimize the impact of such incidents as much as possible.
Ensure the Safety of Nearby Individuals
By clearly marking the work area, prioritize the safety of co-workers, pedestrians, and other individuals in the vicinity. If the tree extends over a roadway, consider using signs and cones to redirect pedestrian and vehicular traffic as needed. Additionally, wearing high-visibility clothing enhances visibility, allowing people to spot ongoing activities from a distance easily.
If you are looking for the best pruning and tree removal services for your trees, contact American Tree Experts Inc. today. We are a group of tree experts working in Montclair, New Jersey. Call us today at (973) 744-6091, and we will give you a fantastic quote for free.