Q: Can I trim a tree myself?

• <div><p>We don&rsquo;t recommend DIY tree trimming for a few different reasons. First, the tools required to trim a tree can be costly, up to <b>$1,100</b> or more, for the ladders and specialized saws needed. </p><p>Safety is another concern, especially when working with more mature trees. As a guideline, you should only DIY tree trimming when branches are less than two inches in diameter. Any more, and the safety risk becomes too high, which could lead to catastrophe. For this job, it&rsquo;s safest to let a <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/5-tips-get-best-tree-service.htm">tree-trimming professional</a> assess the work needed. </p></div>

Question 1

How do I find a reliable arborist near me?

Accepted Answer

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Finding a reliable arborist starts with researching specialists in your area and checking their licensing and certifications. Use online resources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to conduct research on each company. Next, contact the arborist and ask the following questions to see whether they are the right fit for your project:

Do you handle or specialize in dealing with the issue I’m having?
Are you fully insured?
Do you have customer references I can call?
Do you have any third-party certifications?
What equipment and strategies do you plan to use?

Question 2

How do you protect tree roots during excavation?

Accepted Answer

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The best way to protect tree roots is to avoid the roots entirely by excavating outside the root radius of the tree. For nearby projects, it’s a good idea to construct a temporary retaining wall. But that’s not always possible, depending on the project and the root system. In these cases, consider using alternative equipment like an auger to tunnel under the ground.

Remember, tree roots can damage nearby cement foundations as they grow. If a tree is close enough to interfere with large excavations, it may be better to remove the tree than risk future problems.

Question 3

Can I trim a tree myself?

Accepted Answer

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We don’t recommend DIY tree trimming for a few different reasons. First, the tools required to trim a tree can be costly, up to $1,100 or more, for the ladders and specialized saws needed.

Safety is another concern, especially when working with more mature trees. As a guideline, you should only DIY tree trimming when branches are less than two inches in diameter. Any more, and the safety risk becomes too high, which could lead to catastrophe. For this job, it’s safest to let a tree-trimming professional assess the work needed.

Question 4

How often do I need to prune my trees?

Accepted Answer

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Any tree that needs to be pruned should be pruned to remove dead branches at least once a year. You may need to prune far more often if you’re trying to maintain a certain shape or to save a tree that suddenly becomes infected.

Question 5

Can you remove a neighbor's tree?

Accepted Answer

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State and local laws vary, but in most cases, you are allowed to trim any branches from your neighbor's tree that cross your property line. However, it's important to ensure you do not damage the overall health of the tree in the process. Removing branches incorrectly can jeopardize the health of the tree and could lead to you being on the hook to replace it.