Tools and Equipment for DIY Tree Trimming

Trees are incredibly beneficial additions to any property; they reduce home heating and cooling costs, reduce wind and road noise, and increase curb appeal. Unfortunately, trees also require regular pruning and maintenance. Tree trimming can be difficult, potentially dangerous work; however, by using the appropriate tools and protective gear, safe and professional results are attainable. For most trimming jobs, you will need pruning shears, a pair of loppers, a few hand saws, a chainsaw, and a ladder to reach high branches with. Additionally, safety glasses, gloves, and a hard hat will help to keep you safe while working near trees.

Hard Hats, Gloves and Goggles

Sometimes called personal protective equipment, safety glasses, gloves, and hard hats offer some protection from the hazards associated with tree trimming. Safety glasses are an inexpensive and valuable way to help protect your eyes from flying splinters and wood particles. Safety goggles that fit snuggle against your face are preferred over those that leave gaps around the sides. Gloves protect your hands from abrasions and splinters — while economy gloves work reasonably well, premium gloves allow better dexterity and greater comfort, and are often worth the extra cost. Hard hats protect wearers from falling branches and tools, and you should wear one anytime you enter the work zone.

Ladders, Stepladders and Pole Saws

One of the greatest challenges to tree pruning is tending to branches that are high off the ground. A stepladder is the most appropriate way to reach lower branches that are between eye-level and 8 feet high, while an orchard or fruit-picking ladder is the safest method for reaching higher branches. Orchard ladders function as tripods, which makes them much more stable and safe than typical ladders. Another option, preferred by those who would rather keep their feet on firm ground, is to use a pole saw. A pole saw features a small chainsaw or static saw blade at the end of a very long pole. Pole saws require some practice to use, as they are heavy and somewhat unwieldy; because fatigue becomes a problem, it is always better to invest in models with chainsaws rather than static blades.

Pruning Shears and Loppers

Hedge clippers are not appropriate for use on trees; instead use pruning shears for cutting green vegetation, fruit and very small vines and branches. By contrast, lopping shears are appropriate for making cuts to branches and vines that are up to about 1 inch in diameter. Some lopping shears have telescoping handles, allowing them to reach much further than non-telescoping models. Loppers are one of the most important and heavily used tools for tree trimming; accordingly, it is wise to invest in a premium pair of telescoping loppers.

Bow Saws, Pruning Saws, and Chainsaws

Bow saws are efficient hand saws that quickly cut through branches and sticks up to about 3 inches in diameter. Larger models allow quicker cutting, but they are not as easy to use. Pruning saws are ideal for situations in which loppers are too small, and a bow saw will not fit between the surrounding branches or branch forks. Chainsaws are the appropriate tool for cutting through any branch more than 3 inches in diameter. When selecting a chainsaw, select the size carefully; while larger models cut through larger diameter logs more quickly, they are much heavier and more difficult to wield than smaller models.

Twine, Biodegradable Lawn Bags and Chippers

Trimming even a single tree creates a significant amount of debris. In some jurisdictions, homeowners must tie small branches and twigs together with twine for municipal pick up. For large amounts of leaves, needles or fruit, biodegradable lawn bags are ideal. If you must trim several large trees, purchasing or renting a gas-powered chipper allows you to transform excess wood into valuable mulch.