How to Prune Trees Like a Professional

In a world where many of the old values seem to be dying out, it is good to see that there are still noble professions in which hard-working man and woman can earn an honest living by doing something good. Arborists provide an essential service, they maintain the health and aesthetic look of the trees in our immediate surroundings. Their work involves various tasks that may require climbing and the use of power tools and chemicals, which means that there is a need for quality tools and safety equipment. Let’s take a look at some of the essential gear and brands that offer high quality equipment.

Step 1: Climbing Gear

Pruning or applying chemicals for insect and disease control will often require an arborist to climb a tree in order to reach the higher branches. As statistics from the construction industry show, falling from a height is the most common cause of death and serious injury among workers. Great care should be taken to minimize any potential risk. Here are some essential items for climbing trees:

- Saddle and harness
- Rope
- Ascender and descender
- Climbing boots
- Ladder

Petzl, Buckingham, Climb Right and Weaver provide excellent equipment that you can bet your life on. Werner makes good, sturdy ladders and so do Little Giant and Vulcan. You have a lot of options and can afford to be a bit picky when it comes to safety.

Step 2: Safety Equipment

The most important thing is that the arborist is safe while performing his job. Standard safety equipment includes:

- Helmet
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
- Respirator
- Chainsaw safety clothing
- First aid kit

These items will protect you from most of the things that you may encounter – e.g. loud noise, debris, chemicals - and climbing gear should keep you safe against falling. A hard helmet, some eye and hearing protection and sturdy, Kevlar-lined clothing can all be bought from reputable chainsaw manufacturers Such as Stihl and Husqvarna.

Step 3: Chainsaw

Pruning larger branches with a handsaw may be a bit slow and difficult, as it requires you to climb up the tree first and then manually saw through quite a bit of material. A chainsaw is a great tool that will quickly cut through even the hardest wood, and there are many different options available. An electric pole chainsaw, for example, allows you to work from the ground or a ladder. Electric chainsaws are very quiet, lightweight and produce no fumes, but still produce a lot of power, which makes them perfect for this type of work. However, electric chainsaws will require a power source unless you opt for a battery-powered model, although these tend to be a bit more expensive, smaller and less powerful. Some great manufacturers include Stihl, Husqvarna, Oregon, Poulan and Makita. Whichever type of chainsaw you choose, remember to keep things safe by wearing the right protective equipment and using the power tool in a safe manner.

Step 4: Handsaws, Hedge Shears, Hand Pruners and Loppers

There is work that requires precision, and when you get in close, you need something a bit more subtle than a chainsaw. Loppers are great for pruning smaller twigs and branches and also give you a good reach, while handsaws and pruners let you get real close and are great for doing the finishing touches. Some of the best manufacturers of these tools include Stihl, Felco and Okatsune. When working with hedges, a good pair of shears is a must, although hedge trimmers cut down on the work significantly. There are gas and electric models available, and you can’t go wrong with Black & Decker or Poulan.

Step 5: Sprays, Coating and Injections

When caring for the health of a tree, there are several things to consider. Insecticides and fungicides, fertilizers and wound treatment are all a necessary part of an arborist’s arsenal. ARBORjet offers great tree I.V. kits and Tree Tech has all the injectable antibiotics, deflowering agents, insecticides and fungicides that you will ever need. When it comes to spraying, you can strap on a large backpack sprayer – Stihl, Solo and Chapin make excellent equipment – although a truck with a spray rig is an excellent option for the serious arborists.

A good arborist needs to be fairly versatile and skillful. He depends on the right tools to help him stay safe and get the job done efficiently. In this article, I have mention a number of reputable manufacturers that offer great equipment. With a little bit of care, these items will last you a long time and make your job a whole lot easier.