Safe, Injury-Free Tree Maintenance: Tips for DIY Work

Welcome to my blog. My name is Kerry, and I love to do DIY work around the home. While painting high ceilings and putting in garden beds seems to be easy for me, I find climbing into a tree with a saw to trim branches very scary and potentially dangerous. Luckily, over the years, I have gotten past the fear and have found ways to service my trees safely and efficiently without risking grave injury to myself. Sometimes, I admit that I have to call in the pros, but I'll help you identify when that's a necessity as well. Take a look at these posts. I hope they move, entertain and inform you.

Try Tree Lopping As An Alternative To Tree Removal

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Tree removal is a commonly sought-after process when one wants to get rid of a tree that is either damaged, rotten or is simply unwanted at a particular location. If you are thinking of getting rid a tree for reasons to do with its size, position or structure, a second alternative is also feasible; tree lopping. Through tree lopping, you get to retain the tree while solving the issues that led you to want the tree felled. Read on to learn more.

What is tree lopping?

Tree lopping is a tree cutting process that aims to scale down the structure of a tree. While tree trimming and tree pruning focus on reshaping the crown of the tree, tree lopping focuses on making the tree smaller. This is done by cutting the large branches of the tree off. If the tree is tall, the upper section of the tree trunk may be cut as well. Tree lopping can focus on the entire tree or just sections of it.

What happens after tree lopping?

After tree lopping has been carried out, the tree may either remain in that state or it may sprout branches all around the cut branches and stem. This will depend on the season of the year as well as the specific species of the tree. Some trees will sprout lots of branches that will then need to be pruned and reshaped to create a good-looking crown. In either case, the tree's growth is limited to a more manageable size that does not pose a hazard.

When should it be carried out?

Tree lopping can be recommended in various situations. These include the following:

  • Where a tree is obstructing views from your home.
  • Where tree branches pose a risk to electrical wires.
  • Where tree branches are dropping too many leaves on your roof, pool or compound.
  • Where sections of the tree are rotten and pose a risk of infection to the remainder of the tree.
  • Where parts of the tree have sustained damage from lighting or an accident.
  • Where tree branches pose a threat of falling and causing damage.

What are the benefits of tree lopping?

  • Tree lopping has various advantages. These include the following:
  • You get to retain the tree as opposed to cutting it down
  • You eliminate any risk posed by the tree, e.g. falling branches
  • You save the tree from risk of infection
  • You get a second chance to reshape the tree to your liking

If you think tree lopping can work for you, talk to a tree arborist/removalist and have them view the tree(s) in question. If lopping is viable, then by all means go for it and keep the tree standing.

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4 October 2016