Homeowners can often handle light trimming on small branches they can reach from the ground with hand tools. Anything involving ladders, chainsaws, climbing, large limbs or branches near power lines is a job for a professional.
The line between the two comes down to size, height and risk. Knowing where that line sits can save you money on small jobs and keep you safe on bigger ones.
Small Jobs Many Homeowners Handle
Snipping small twigs on a young tree, clearing a low branch you can reach while standing on the ground, and removing suckers from the base of a tree are usually low-risk tasks.
Even with small jobs, less is often more. Remove only what you need to, and avoid cutting into the trunk or leaving long stubs. If you’re unsure whether a cut is a good idea, it’s fine to leave it and ask.
When to Call a Professional
Once a job needs a ladder, a chainsaw or someone off the ground, the risk rises quickly. Branches can be heavier than they look, swing unexpectedly when cut and fall in directions you didn’t plan for.
Large limbs over a roof, fence, car or driveway are especially tricky. So are dead or broken branches, which can snap without warning. These are good reasons to hire a tree trimming service rather than trying it yourself.
A professional crew also looks at the whole tree, not just one branch. That can help avoid cuts that harm the tree’s structure or leave it lopsided.
Stay Away From Power Lines
Never trim branches that are near or touching electrical lines. Electricity can travel through branches and tools, and contact can be deadly.
If a branch is close to a line, stay clear and contact your electric utility. Work near lines should only be handled by the utility or qualified line-clearance crews.
Common DIY Trimming Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes is taking off too much at once. Removing large amounts of live growth can stress a tree and lead to weak regrowth.
Topping a tree to make it shorter is another. It leaves ugly stubs, invites decay and usually makes the size problem worse over time. Cutting too close to the trunk or leaving long stubs can also slow healing.
Finally, many people underestimate cleanup. Even a modest trimming job can create a surprising pile of branches that needs to be hauled away or chipped.
Before starting any trimming, walk around the tree and look up. Dead limbs overhead, cracks in the trunk or branches near wires are all signs to stop and get help instead.
If you’re looking at a branch and wondering whether it’s safe to tackle yourself, a local Joplin tree service can take a look and tell you which parts are reasonable to handle and which are better left to a crew.
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