Tree Trimming Tools
Tree trimming is a great way to encourage tree growth and health, and maintain a beautiful landscape. The right equipment and tools are essential for tree trimming and pruning success. Learn about the Georgetown Tree Trimming.
Here is a brief detail of tools used by professional arborists to help you choose the right trimming company near me and preserve the health of your trees.
Six Common Tree Trimming tools
The size of the branches that you wish to trim will determine the best tool. Because a tree can heal faster from a small wound than a larger one, it is better to prune smaller branches.
Hand Pruner
When cutting branches or twigs of less than one inch in diameter, hand pruners (also known as pruning shears) are the best tool. You can make precise cuts with bypass pruners if you want to cut branches and twigs cleanly. These have a curved cutting edge and can be used to cut branches at awkward angles. Anvil pruning shears can be used to cut dead twigs using a straight knife-like edge.
Lopper
A lopper, also known as lopping shear is perfect for cutting branches up to two inches in diameter. To help you choose the right one, it comes with a label that indicates the size of the branch it will cut. Loppers can be used as anvils or bypass - just like hand pruners. Anvil loppers can be used to cut dead limbs. Bypass cutting blades allow you to make better cuts while not damaging the tree's tissues. A few loppers have a gear-like feature, which increases cutting power. To increase your reach, it is a good idea to search for lopping shears that have handles of different lengths.
Pruning Saw
For cutting limbs between three and five inches in diameter, pruning saws are ideal. You can use them to prune larger branches with less effort. The blades are made of tempered metal and can be kept sharp. Pruning saws can be used for both pull and push strokes. They are available in many styles to meet different needs.
Rope Saw
A rope saw can be used to trim limbs up to five inches in diameter. You can cut through thicker branches with a more difficult chain-type blade. You can prune limbs up 25 feet tall while standing on the ground with most rope saws.
Chainsaw
When pruning limbs that are more than three inches thick, a chainsaw will help you cut the most precise cuts. If you feel your tree trimming job will require the use of a chainsaw, it's a good idea to consult a certified arborist. They are skilled and have the knowledge to do the job safely without putting at risk the safety of others or the health of trees.
Pole Pruner
A pole pruner can be used to trim branches beyond your reach. A pole pruner can trim branches up to 2 inches in diameter. A bypass pole pruner can be used to make precise cuts and maintain your tree's health. For large branches to be trimmed, you should choose a pole pruner with interchangeable tools such as a pruning saw or bypass pruner.
How to maintain your tree trimming tools
Sharpening
Sharp tools are more efficient and less fatigue-producing. Sharpening devices or stones are necessary to sharpen pruning shears, pole pruners, and loppers' cutting edges. You can have your dull pruning saw sharpened by a professional or replaced with a new blade.
Sanitizing
Pruning is a great place to introduce microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, into your tree. The tree's health is ensured by using sanitary tools to clean between cuts, especially when you are pruning a tree with a diseased condition. By cutting limbs in the dormant seasons, when organisms are less active, you can reduce the need to sanitize your tree pruning tools.
Do not infect
For disinfection of tree pruning tools after cuts, you can soak the blades for two minutes in Listerine or Lysol. Pine-Sol, bleach, and other sanitizing solutions can clean metal tools but they can corrode them. After using any of the sanitizing agents, clean the tool thoroughly with water and soap. Dry it well.
Cleaning and Care
After each use, make sure you clean your blades. Use a cloth dipped in solvent, such as turpentine, to wipe away sticky sap. Use lubricating oil on the pruning tools to prevent rusting and lubricate joints and moving parts. This will ensure that they are in good operating condition.