Introduction
Proper tree maintenance is important if you want to keep them healthy and preserve the beauty of your garden or landscape. The best way to do that is to search for “tree service near me” and hire the services of an expert arborist. However, if you want to do the task yourself, you need the correct tree trimming tools.
The Tools
Here are some of the best tree trimming tools to own:
- Hand pruners or Hand shears – Hand pruners or hand shears are one of the most basic starter tools for tree trimming and are generally used to cut through smaller twigs, limbs, and branches that are between 1-2 inches thick. These small and lightweight tools are not just glorified scissors they come with very strong blades and a tough short handle.
Pruning shears come in two types — bypass and anvil. It is recommended that you purchase and use bypass hand shears since these can cut tree branches cleanly in one go which allows the tree to heal faster. On the other hand, anvil shears can sometimes crush the branch.
It is also important to select the blade type. Stainless steel blades don’t last a long time, but they are resistant to corrosion. Carbon steel blades can last a long time with proper maintenance since they are more durable but are prone to corrosion and staining.
- Hedge Shears – Hedge shears are perfect for cutting trees that are thick and full of leaves and difficult to cut using hand shears. If you are low on budget, you can opt for manual hedge trimmers.
However, if you want to reduce the time it takes to trim the trees and decrease your effort, you can choose motorized hedge trimmers. However, they are more expensive. Motorized hedge trimmers operate using a cutting mechanism that is similar to finger-bar mowers. However, there is no need to worry about injuring yourself since they include built-in safety features.
- Loppers – Loppers are similar to hand shears except that they have extra-long handles that make it possible to trim branches that are in awkward spots or above your head. These operate in a similar manner to scissors and have very sharp blades that are suitable for cutting smaller branches and twigs up to 3 inches thick.
However, you need to utilize both of your hands to use them due to the length of the handles and to have more control. Modern loppers have an additional compound level system or a ratchet drive that helps to increase your force.
- Pole tree pruner – Pole pruners are a specialized tool suitable for cutting tree branches that are up to 3 inches thick and well above your head. Typically, these have a height of about 8 feet, but you can purchase telescoping pole pruners to connect multiple pole pruners and reach a height of up to 30 feet.
Pole tree pruners have a learning curve and are tricky to use since you have to carefully hook them to the branch you need to cut and then shut the second blade using the rope. Plus, it is important to keep your feet on the ground and ensure you don’t stand directly beneath the tree in order to reduce the risk of accidents. Thus, it is recommended that you hire the services of a pole pruner if you are having problems.
If you need to exert a lot of force to cut the tree branches or need more than one person to operate the tool, it can indicate that the blades have gone dull and need sharpening. An easier way to handle the job is to use an attachment that will turn it into a pole saw.
- Chainsaw – When you need to cut tree limbs thicker than five inches, you need to use a powerful mechanical machine such as a chainsaw. Unlike other tree trimming tools, you can use chainsaws to cut thick tree branches and limbs pretty easily. However, it is important to choose a chainsaw that contains a suitable engine and cutting bar.
Typically, smaller chainsaws that are powered by electricity are better than most tree pruning tools. In fact, they vibrate less and are much quieter than their gas-powered counterparts. However, it is better to choose gas-powered chainsaws if you want the maximum power for cutting large tree limbs.
Generally, it is recommended that you add two inches to the thickest tree limb or branch when you need to figure out the size of the machine. It is also crucial to have some safety gear such as chainsaw chaps, hearing protection for up to 130 decibels, and closed-toe shoes to prevent a life-threatening injury.
- Pruning Saw – Pruning saws are ideal for sawing through tree branches and limbs when you can get close to them. To reach higher areas, you need to make use of a ladder or climb the trees. Since these are not powered by gas or electricity, you need to exert the strength of your upper body to use them. Generally, these have a slight curve to the blade that helps them to remain on the branch that is being trimmed.
It is recommended that you choose a pruning saw that can be folded into the cover since this will allow you to store them safely when not in use.
- Gas pole saw – Gas pole saws require significant upper body strength to use but they allow you to easily and quickly cut through thick tree limbs and branches that are at a height without the need to climb the tree or a ladder. Alternatively, you can also opt for electric pole saws or cordless battery-powered pole saws.
Conclusion
Even if you have all the necessary tree trimming tools it can be a difficult job to maintain the beauty of your landscape without the proper experience, skills, training, and time investment. If you don’t follow the correct methods or learn how to use the tools properly, you can accidentally damage your trees. Thus, it is a good idea to search for “tree service near me” online and hire professional arborists to help you maintain your garden.
