How to Trim a High Tree

Even the largest and seemingly healthiest of trees need to be pruned once in a while. Whether you suspect disease or weather has caused a limb to start dangling, it's important to remove the offending branch as quickly as possible no matter what time of year it is. When pruning for size or shape, however, it is best to wait until the tree is dormant to reduce the amount of shock to its system. Never prune off more than 1/3 of a tree's mass in 1 season.

Ladder
Pruning saw
Rope saw or pole pruner

Instructions

- 1
  Select the branch or limb that requires pruning and inspect the area for power lines or other hazards. You may want to hire a professional tree trimmer if there are hazards in the area.
- 2
  Set up your ladder securely underneath the branch you intend to cut. Have someone hold the ladder for you to keep the ladder from slipping.
- 3
  Make a small cut into the underside of the branch with a pruning saw, near the collar so that the bark will break when you cut down the limb. The collar is the swollen area at the base of the branch where the branch meets the trunk. This will prevent the bark from tearing into the side of the tree.
- 4
  Use a pole pruner or rope saw to cut off some of the end of the branch first. A pole pruner and rope saw are tools that enable you to cut tree branches off while standing on the ground rather than having to climb a ladder. It's easier and safer to cut the branch, especially a long one, off in pieces rather than all at once. Choose a place on the branch about halfway from the trunk and cut that piece off first.
- 5
  Cut the branch again, parallel to the collar, removing the rest of the branch.

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