More people have been realizing the value of DIY know-how – especially when it comes to maintaining the health of their trees! From planting to mulching and everything in between, people have really starting to exercise their green thumbs. Yet when it comes to tree -trimming, it’s best to have a key set of tips under your belt before you start wielding those pruning tools; after all, one wrong move, and you can kiss that beautiful tree good-bye!

Here’s what you need to know about successful DIY tree-trimming:

Safety First. Before you get started, it’s important to protect yourself from any possible injuries, even if you’re trimming a smaller tree. Remember to always wear a pair of goggles (this will prevent splinters from getting into your eyes), thick pruning gloves and a helmet. Additionally, make sure that any ladder you use is sturdy and firmly rooted on the ground – otherwise, you could seriously injury yourself in a fall. After all, your tree-trimming efforts will go to waste if you end up in the hospital!

The Key Is In The Cut. When trimming, don’t cut the branch too closely to the trunk of the tree; this risky move might backfire, as healthy bark will be torn from the base of the tree when the limb is removed. On the other hand, you don’t want to leave too much of the dead branch. Hit a happy medium by cutting at “the collar” of the branch, which will leave a bit of a stump. 

Know When To Trim.Most landscaping experts and arborists agree that you can trim most trees anytime.  There are a few species of trees as well as fruit trees that you may want to trim in the fall months, but most trees can be trimmed any time of the year.

Don’t Tackle Major Branches.A savvy DIY-er will always know when to call in the professionals once the job gets to be too big; so if you’re thinking about tackling any major branches yourself, put down the tools and back away slowly. Major branches should be taken on by professionals, so ask your arborist to handle these bigger – and more dangerous – tasks.

Whether your tree trimming in Twin Falls Idaho or anywhere else the process is not that difficult.  If you are not sure whether you can do it yourself consider hiring a certified arborist as the expense is insignificant when compared to the immediate results.