What is Tree Trimming?
Tree trimming is more than cutting away a few branches here and there. It is an essential aspect of tree care and is crucial to your tree's health and aesthetics. Keep in mind that there is a proper approach to trimming and that you should not overdo it. Over trimming can lead to the tree's sudden deterioration. Safety should be the top priority in trimming. Untrimmed trees that grow near power lines can start a fire. Overgrown trees also tend to become an obstruction to pedestrians and drivers alike.
 
Tips

• It is recommended to trim trees in its dormant state. But, if you see any broken or dead branches, you should cut them away no matter the season is.
• Consider the size of the branches that you will trim. It is safe to remove a branch that is less than 5 centimeters in diameter. If the branch is between 5 to 10 centimeters in diameter, leave it be. Further, if the branch is beyond 10 centimeters in diameter, you better have a valid reason to remove it.
• Only trim branches that are V-shaped and have narrow angles, while keeping those with U-shaped angles. Side branches that are between ½ and ¼ the total diameter of the stem are safe to be removed.
• You should keep the ratio of living crown to the tree height at 2/3.
• Start trimming your trees in the early stage of their life because it reduces the risk of leaving scars.
• Be careful not to harm the branch collar or leave a stub. Don't trim the branch too near the branch collar.

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What is Tree Pruning?
Tree pruning is as necessary as tree trimming. It is one of the standard methods in tree maintenance. For trees that are planted in a forest, nature usually takes care of pruning these trees. However, the same is not the case for landscape trees. Pruning should be done with a deep understanding of the tree's needs and the right technique to do it.
 
Tips

• Lateral branches, especially on young trees, should be appropriately spaced.
• Get rid of branches that grow towards each other or rub against them.
• Avoid pruning more than ¼ of the crown in one session. If there is a need for you to do so, spread it out in several years.
• You can raise the crown by pruning to give clearance for vehicles and pedestrians. Keep the branches at 2/3 of the tree's height. Removing too many branches at the lower part of the tree may cause weak stems.
• If you will need to prune more than half of the leaves from a branch, it is best to remove the entire branch.

 
Conclusion
Trimming and pruning are essential for a healthy and well-maintained look of your trees. You will do your trees a favor if you invest in professional tree pruning and trimming because it doesn't only impact their development, but their aesthetics as well. An expert tree service can provide tree care that it exactly needs.

If you have ever cut a tree down in your life, you know that it is not a simple job. The truth is, cutting a tree is a dangerous task, and it can cause severe injuries if not done correctly.

If you are planning to cut a tree on your own, you should make a careful consideration of the things you need to do before getting the chainsaw and cutting the tree. You don't want to end up on a hospital bed because of negligence and the wrong thought that it is a job that an average guy can do. In this blog, we will discuss important things that you need for cutting a tree. We hope that this can help you cut that tree down correctly and safely.

Materials You Need
When cutting down a tree, you will need:

• Logger's helmet- This is important to protect your head from falling limbs and branches that can cause head injury during logging.
• Earmuffs- The chainsaw can create too much noise, and you need earmuffs to protect your ears from the noise. When there are too many trees to cut down in a day, you might find it difficult to hear correctly at the end of the day.
• Face Screen- Tree bark and other tree debris scan fly from all directions when you are cutting a tree. A face screen is essential to protect your face, especially your eyes from flying wood chips that can cause you to go blind. We highly recommend you using eyewear to protect your eyes, as well as, a mask to cover your mouth to avoid ingesting small particles of bark.
• Chaps- Working with a chainsaw instantly puts yourself in danger. Chaps stop the chainsaw right away in case you accidentally drop it against your leg. Once the chainsaw gets any close to you, chaps significantly lessen the possibility of damage. You don't want to risk your life for cutting down a single tree.
• Felling Wedges- Felling wedges are a significant investment. It prevents your saw from tweaking during a chainsaw cut. They will not cost you much and will help you cut down larger trees easier.

 
Check the Tree to See if it is Out of Your Capacity
Before you begin cutting the tree, the first thing you should do is assess the tree and the entire situation and see if it is something within your limits. It is best to know what you are capable and not capable of doing before you start cutting that tree only to leave it unfinished. Remember that not all trees are the same. They should be handled differently, and they need a proper approach to be able to cut them down correctly. One good example is a tree close to a power line, fences, or building. If you see that this is the case for you, it is much better to call a professional tree company to handle tree cutting for you. If you try to do it yourself and it falls in the wrong direction, you will be held financially liable for damaged properties.

Also, the lack of proper equipment can make it difficult for you to cut down a tree. If a tree is leaning heavily on one side, chances are it will fall on that side. Having a crane will make the work more comfortable for you, but you may not have it at your disposal that is why in this situation, leave it to the professional.  Further, you may also want to check if it is safe for you to climb up the tree. Inspect the tree for dead or broken branches. One wrong step on these branches can cause you injury, so you have to be extra careful.
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Estimate the Falling Distance
Once you are done assessing the tree and you have your safety gears on, the next step is to estimate where the tree will fall. This is a crucial part of the process of cutting down a tree. If a tree falls on you, you will inevitably end up in the hospital, and that's the least we want to happen. Some trees reach a height of more than 200 ft. That is why it can be challenging to tell where it can be falling. To accurately estimate where the tree will fall, you should measure the height of the tree using a crane. Use a tape measure to find out the exact distance of the fall. Another technique is by holding your ax upside down and outstretch your hand. Move back with one eye closed until the ax barely "covers" the sight of the tree. This will help you determine whether the top of the tree will fall in the direction you desire. This is an essential part of making sure you and your property are safe when the tree falls, so we highly recommend you to give it time and effort. You don't want to be surprised that the tree falls exactly on your roof once the process is done.
 
Clear a Separate Escape Route
Without the aid of cables and braces, it will be difficult to say where the tree will exactly fall. There are also other natural forces that can make it challenging for you to cut it down. One example is wind. We cannot control where the wind blows, and the wind may cause the tree to fall on the opposite direction of where you originally planned it to take down. If this happens, you should be ready with a plan. Make sure you clear an escape route opposite the direction of where you wanted your tree to fall. This will allow you to have a place to run to in case the tree falls toward you. Safety should always come first; that is why you need to be ready with an alternate path for yourself when the unexpected happens. Cutting down a tree is never an easy task. Even the most professional tree service can still get themselves hurt due to unforeseen situations that is why we encourage you to practice caution when cutting down a tree.

How beautiful are green palm tree leaves against the bright sky? It is easy to think you are in paradise. However, when you see discolored leaves and saggy palm trees, you can get easily snapped back to reality.
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If your palm tree is browning, read on for some professional tree care advice on how to restore the health and beauty of your palm tree.

Why Palm Tree Leaves are Turning Brown on Outdoor Palm Trees
There could be a number of reasons for your palm tree's sudden decline in appearance. Brown or yellow leaves can mean:

• It is not getting a sufficient supply of water
• There  is not enough supply of nutrients like nitrogen or magnesium in the soil
• Palm tree weevils or other kinds  of  insects infested your tree
• Your tree might be infected with fungal infection such as Ganoderma root rot
• The natural flow of palm leaves is making the leaves of your palm tree yellow
• There is a lot to consider in determining the problem of your palm tree. Let's figure out the root cause of the problem of your palm tree.

What If I See Brown Leaves on my Queen Palm or Majesty Palm?
Canary Island Date palms or commonly known as majesty palms can be diagnosed with any of the above mentioned situations. However, they can be affected differently by some pests or diseases.

Majesty palms are prone to Texas Phoenix Palm Decline or most popularly known as Lethal Bronzing. It is a kind of disease that turns palm trees yellow during the early stages. However, it is safe to disregard TTPD on your majesty palm because it is not in the list of common tree targets.

Should I Cut Off Brown Palm Leaves?
Don't call professional pruners yet when you see the tips of your palm trees turn brown. Typically, brown tips mean that your tree is under stress, but it can still recuperate. You might hurt your tree more if you immediately remove its leaves that are not entirely dead.

However, if your tree's leaves are in full brown, the leaves should be pruned to prevent the problem from getting worse. This will help your palm tree regain its former health and appearance. If you are unsure on how and when you should prune your palm tree, ask tree professionals to help you out.

How to Help Palm Trees With Brown, Drooping Leaves?
You have to be aware that there are instances when turning of yellow of your palm tree is natural and is part of its growth. You don't have to worry if the yellow leaves are only below the canopy.

You can also check the soil where it's planted. Both dry and saturated soil can cause the leaves to change their color. Water your palm tree before the dry months. You can do a soil test to determine the problem, or you can ask a tree expert to do it for you. By doing this test, you will find out what nutrients your tree needs and this will help you decide which fertilizer to use to supply the gap.

Who doesn't want to save money on tree trimming? You may have thought of doing your own tree trimming to do so. However, is it worth the danger? You might be tempted to trim your tree on your own, but weigh the pros and cons first before having a final decision. You may be able to save on tree cost but pay higher on hospital bills.

If you are unskilled, you may not know how to properly prune a tree that will result in a damaged tree. Over-pruning the tree can put your tree in danger. Topping or cutting too much from the tree's canopy can be equally harmful. You may have the right tool but if you don't have the right technique, your tree will still suffer in the end.

Sadly, many homeowners have been injured from 2009 to 2017 due to doing their own pruning. These people don't know the right approach to tree pruning. It is important to know if a branch is sturdy or not, especially if you are climbing it. You can also be hurt by insects or pests that house that tree, so you need to be extra careful. Further, it is extremely dangerous to prune trees that are near a power line. This kind of job requires professional attention to be performed safely.

A professional tree trimmer can improve the appearance of your tree. They don't only ensure that your tree is healthy, but also take care of its aesthetics. They're experts not only with the science of tree trimming, but also the art involving it. A beautiful tree can add value to your property.

You may have your own health insurance but that will not cover for any damages or injuries that you incur while doing your own tree trimming. A professional tree service company will have this important document that will ensure you of zero liability in case a problem occurs while they are in your vicinity. This is an important aspect when hiring a tree service company because it lessens the risk of being responsible for any legal and financial costs if the worst happens. 

When you hire a professional arborist, you can have peace of mind that they can do it safely. They will also just need a few hours to complete the task. They know every detail involved in tree trimming and more importantly, they have the proper equipment to aid them. They are skilled and years of experience have honed their expertise when it comes to different tree services. 

​Regardless of the reason why you need to have your trees trimmed, consider using a Tampa Tree Service to for professional yet affordable tree care.