Trimming a tree is essential for various reasons, including:
- Increasing visual appeal and your property’s value
- Facilitating healthier growth
- Preventing issues like falling branches damaging property
- Minimizing the risks of pest infestations and tree disease
However, tree trimming and pruning aren’t tasks to be taken lightly. Homeowners need to implement the proper tree trimming safety measures. Doing so will protect both themselves and their tree’s health.
For a professional touch, tree trimming in Alpharetta by Georgia Tree Company can eliminate common safety risks.
Start With the Right Equipment
Before beginning any tree trimming job, ensure you have the right equipment. Start with safety equipment such as:
- Helmets and face shields to protect against falling debris
- Heavy-duty gloves for protecting against poisonous vegetation or cuts
- Earmuffs for protection against loud woodchippers and chain saws
- Steel-toed work boots for better climbing
- The proper protective equipment for climbing, including ropes, carabiners, belts, slings, and lanyards
Check the Weather Beforehand
Weather can play a significant role in tree trimming safety. For example, you shouldn’t try trimming a tree during heavy winds, rain, snowstorms, ice, etc. If there’s inclement weather in the forecast, plan your trimming for another day.
Exercise Extra Caution for Electrical Lines
When dealing with electrical or powerlines, you should always exercise extra caution. Even brief contact with an electrical conductor can be life-threatening. A worker doesn’t need to contact a power source directly for electrocution to occur either.
Even if you believe a local power source is de-energized, it’s best to avoid it. You also shouldn’t trim branches within ten feet of powerlines with high voltage. Instead, you should contact a professional tree care service team.
Assess the Area for Hazards
Nearby hazards may include low-hanging branches, vines, and debris around the tree. Additionally, ensure items such as vehicles and tables are far from the tree.
Check the Tree Itself for Hazard Risks
Before climbing, you should also check your tree’s stability, tree limb conditions, trunk, etc. If something feels off, you shouldn’t climb the tree. A thorough inspection from an arborist ensures a tree is safe to climb.
Be Extra Careful When Climbing
When it comes to tree trimming safety, it’s better to work slower than faster. Utilize extreme caution when climbing by always putting your hands and feet on separate limbs. Move one foot and hand at a time. You also don’t want to climb with tools in your hands.
Have Drop and Hazard Zones
You’ll want to establish a hazard and drop zone. Using a caution barrier can let you easily mark these two zones.
Let Other People Know What You’re Doing
Ideally, you should have help with trimming. Additionally, you should let other people, like your neighbors, know what you’re doing and when. Have at least one first-aid kit on hand as well.
Know When to Call Georgia Tree Company
Lastly, for optimal tree trimming safety, you should know when to call our Georgia Tree Company. Our residential and commercial tree services can safely and effectively handle trees of any size.
Discover the best season for tree trimming by calling Georgia Tree Company at 404-990-0010!