Why You Might Want to Think Twice About DIY Tree Pruning

When it’s done correctly, tree pruning keeps trees healthy and beautiful. But when it’s done improperly, it can be dangerous to the tree and to people and property below the tree if a branch falls off because of bad pruning. For most homeowners, it’s best to leave tree pruning to the professionals.

Here are a few reasons you should hire a Denver tree service company to handle needed pruning.

DIY Tree Pruning Can Be Hazardous

Any job that requires chainsaws, ladders, and handsaws can be a dangerous one. In fact, tree trimming is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States. In 2019, 19 tree trimming professionals lost their lives while on the job. And these are the professionals who know what they are doing.

One of the dangers of DIY tree pruning is also that it’s not easy for the average homeowner to distinguish between a rotten and healthy branch. If you transfer your weight to a dead branch, it may not be able to hold your weight—and you could go crashing down to the ground. This is unsafe for both the homeowner and the tree.

Another danger is using sharp tools at an elevated height. It can require a lot of coordination to wield a chainsaw while on a ladder. Tree service professionals have access to the tools and safety equipment to do the job effectively—and safely. Most homeowners do not have access to safety harnesses and bucket trucks.

Common Mistakes People Make With DIY Tree Pruning

Tree service professionals have the expertise to assess and plan a tree pruning project without making a mistake. For example, a homeowner might cut through a branch, only to have it fall on top of a vehicle or building because it didn’t fall the way they expected.

Other common mistakes include:

• Using inappropriate tools. Homeowners who haven’t done tree pruning before might only have access to old tools that are dull and ineffective. This can slow down the healing process after a branch is removed from a tree. It also makes the job more physically challenging, which can put the homeowner in danger of making a mistake.
• Using dirty tools. Most people don’t think about dirty tools damaging their trees, but using them could transfer soil-borne diseases.
• Thinking it’s okay to cut branches anywhere. For example, if a tree branch is encroaching your home or another structure, you might think it’s fine to just cut that branch off. But this is not the best approach. You could be creating a hazard as well as health issues for your tree.
• Pruning too heavily. No more than 25 percent of a tree should be pruned at any given time. More than that can make it tough for the tree to recover.

Avoid Tree Damage By Hiring the Professionals

While homeowners may be well-intentioned, DIY tree pruning without fully understanding how to do it properly may not only damage your tree’s health but create safety risks down the road. Working with a professional Denver tree service will protect you, your home, your family, and your tree. Contact Root Tree Service today!