How to Cut Tall Grass & Small Trees

Cut the Grass

• 1

  Clean the lawn mower blades by wiping them down with a damp cloth. Dull or dirty blades can break grass instead of cutting it clean. Torn or broken blades of grass are susceptible to disease.

• 2

  Wait until the lawn is dry before mowing. Wet grass will tear and clog a mower. Early evening is best to avoid morning dew and afternoon sun.

• 3

  Set the lawnmower's height so that it will cut off the top 1/3 of the grass. Don't be tempted to cut more. Never remove more than 1/3 of a blade of grass at one time.

• 4

  Mow the lawn. Leave the cuttings where they fall to act as mulch.

• 5

  Repeat this process on a weekly basis until the grass is the desired height.

Trim the Trees

• 6

  Examine the trees and identify dead or diseased branches.

• 7

  Remove dead and diseased branches with pruning shears. Use a hacksaw to help cut through thick branches.

• 8

  Thin the crown by removing no more than 1/4 of the branches in the crown. Choose branches that rub one another or branches that form sharp V's with other branches. Prune evenly around the trees.

• 9

  Raise the crown of young trees by pruning the lowest branches. Never remove more than 1/3 of a tree's branches.

• 10

  Shape small trees by trimming errant branches.