Why Tree Pruning Should Be Left to The Professionals

Seattle Tree Care tells you why tree pruning is better left to the pros - Greater Seattle region & Puget Sound area.

Seattle Tree Care Explains the Risks of DIY Tree Pruning and Why You Should Opt for Professional Care

In an attempt to save money, many homeowners are turning to DIY tree pruning. However, there are far more drawbacks than there are advantages to this. In fact, tree pruning can be an extremely dangerous proposition when attempted by someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. To save time and the possibility of injury, always contact a tree trimming service to perform any pruning that may be needed. At Seattle Tree Care, we are your experienced experts. Not only can we help you with all your tree trimming needs, but also we take the time to educate our customers, so they can make the best choices for their homes. So why is DIY tree pruning dangerous? Read on to learn more.

Attempting Tree Pruning Without Training Can Be Risky

Let’s face it… homeowners who are not trained in tree pruning should definitely not be climbing up into a tree with a chainsaw. Even for people trained in tree trimming, it is still one of the leading causes of on the job injuries in the country. The rate of injury for homeowners trying to do their own tree pruning is even higher, with a larger percentage of those injuries leading to fatalities.

In many cases, the injuries that homeowners face during tree trimming are related to not having the education needed to differentiate a rotten tree branch from a branch that is healthy. The problem with that is that untrained homeowners run the risk of stepping on an unhealthy branch, which could cause them to fall and seriously injure themselves, or damage the home or the tree itself.

Pruning Trees Poorly Can Lead To Potential Home Damage

While many homeowners are aware that pruning needs to happen at the first sign of a diseased or unhealthy tree, they are not often aware of the importance of having those services performed on a regular basis. If only the most obviously unhealthy tree branches are trimmed, a strong breeze or an icy day can take out branches that the homeowner didn’t see coming.

The same problem can happen with tree limbs that have been pruned the wrong way, with too much taken off in the wrong places. Trees need pruning in a certain way to preserve their health, and trimming them the wrong way can lead to an increase in tree rot and disease.

Some Of The Common Mistakes Homeowners Make With Tree Pruning

Arborists go through plenty of training and education for a reason, tree pruning isn’t an easy job! Homeowners who try to do it themselves often make a lot of the same mistakes, which could be avoided with just a quick phone call to a tree trimming service. Here is just a selection.

  • “Over lifting” – When homeowners spend time trimming only the lower branches, it creates a top-heavy tree that can be a serious risk of falling over or having those top branches become disease or break.
  • Not using clean tools – While this may not be obvious, it is important to always use clean, sanitized tools for tree pruning. Not doing that may lead to transferring diseases from tree to tree.
  • Not using sharp tools – Not using sharp tools can be just as damaging as using dirty tools. Dull tools can lead to jagged cuts, which invite diseases and a longer healing process.

There are, of course, many more mistakes that homeowners make when tree pruning, which is why an arborist is the way to go.

How Tree Services Can Help

Hopefully, the reasons that trying to DIY tree care isn’t a good idea have become a lot more clear. But what happens when there is a tree that really needs pruning?

That is where an arborist and a professional tree service company comes in.

Tree pruning services aren’t just about the actual cutting of unhealthy branches. A trained arborist knows how to trim branches while also being mindful of aesthetics. Homeowners don’t just want their branches trimmed, they also want their landscaping to look good.

A tree service company will also know what to look for to keep the home and anyone in it as safe as possible. By identifying potential sources of issues before they happen, they can safely prune the tree and avoid the problem.

Seattle Tree Care is located in Seattle, Washington, and has been family owned and operated since 2006. We are staffed by International Society of Arboriculture certified arborists who are qualified in tree risk assessment. Seattle Tree Care performs a variety of different tree services and inspections, including tree trimming pruning, stump grinding, and tree risk assessments.

Kelsey Gruenwoldt

Kelsey is the owner and CEO of Seattle Tree Care, a Certified Arborist, and founder of the Seattle Arborist Association. As a fourth-generation Seattle native, she has a great appreciation for this beautiful region and is dedicated to making sure our area's trees receive the best care possible. + Learn more about Kelsey

Looking for More?

We've got you covered with tips, resources, updates, how-to's, and other helpful information about trees and landscapes in Seattle, Puget Sound, and King County, WA. Join the thousands of smart local residents who get the monthly newsletter from Seattle Tree Care for helpful information you won't want to miss!

There's no spam - we promise! We are committed to keeping your e-mail address confidential. We do not sell, rent, or lease our contact data or lists to third parties.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.