For many homeowners in Cleveland, a lush, green yard dotted with healthy trees is a point of pride. But trees, like any living thing, require care and maintenance. That's where tree trimming comes in. While the idea of do-it-yourself (DIY) tree trimming might seem appealing for the cost-conscious homeowner, it's critical to understand when it's safe to tackle this task yourself and when it's absolutely time to call in a professional like Cleveland Tree Service.

Before we delve into the DIY vs. professional debate, let's understand why tree trimming is essential, especially here in Cleveland,

• Health & Longevity: Trimming removes dead or diseased branches, preventing the spread of harmful conditions and encouraging healthy new growth. This is vital in our region, where trees face challenges like the Emerald Ash Borer and harsh winter weather.
• Safety: Overhanging branches can pose a risk to your property, power lines, and even your family during storms (which we know Cleveland gets its fair share of!).
• Aesthetics: Proper trimming shapes your trees, improves their appearance, and can even increase your property value.
• Sunlight & Airflow: Thinning the canopy allows more sunlight to reach your lawn and garden, and improves air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

While some tree trimming tasks are manageable for homeowners, it's crucial to be realistic about your skills and equipment. Here's a good rule of thumb.

If you decide to tackle some basic tree trimming, safety should be your top priority. Follow these guidelines:

• Wear protective gear: This includes safety glasses, gloves, long sleeves, and sturdy footwear.
• Use the right tools: Sharp, well-maintained tools are essential for clean cuts and prevent accidents.
• Inspect your ladder: Ensure it's in good condition and have someone spot you while you're working.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Look for power lines, obstacles, and uneven ground.
• Never overreach: If you can't comfortably reach a branch, reposition your ladder or call a professional.
• Cut branches correctly: Learn proper pruning techniques to avoid damaging the tree (more on that below).
• Know when to stop: If you're feeling tired or unsure, it's best to take a break or call in an expert.
  

Even for DIY tasks, it's important to understand basic tree trimming techniques to avoid harming your trees:

• Make clean cuts: Avoid tearing the bark by using sharp tools and making clean, precise cuts.
• Cut just outside the branch collar: This is the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk. Cutting too close can damage the tree.
• Avoid flush cuts: Don't cut branches flush with the trunk, as this can hinder the tree's ability to heal properly.
  
• Don't top trees: This harmful practice involves cutting off the top of the tree, leading to weak growth and increased risk of disease.

Tree trimming can be more complex than it seems. If you're unsure about any aspect of the job, it's always best to err on the side of caution and call a professional tree service like Cleveland Tree Service. Here's why:

• Expertise: Certified arborists have the knowledge and experience to assess your trees' health and make informed decisions about trimming and removal.
• Safety: Professionals have the training and equipment to work safely at heights and handle complex situations.
• Efficiency: With the right tools and techniques, professionals can complete the job quickly and efficiently.
• Peace of mind: Knowing your trees are in the hands of experts gives you peace of mind and ensures the job is done right.

At Cleveland Tree Service, we're passionate about helping homeowners maintain the health and beauty of their trees. Our team of certified arborists has the expertise to handle all your tree care needs, from basic trimming to complex removals. We're committed to safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us take care of your trees!

As a homeowner, you want to make sure your landscape look its best. You plant beautiful trees and pave the pathway so that your landscape would be perfect. However, even a well-tended landscape can look neglected if the trees are left untrimmed. There are types of trees that can grow excessively if not appropriately trimmed. Overgrown trees can result in different serious problems that are why having a professional tree trimming service can help you ensure the beauty and safety in your yard. If you are still not convinced of the benefits of hiring professional to trim your trees, keep reading. Here are three reasons why you should hire a professional tree trimming service.
 
Safety First
 Tree trimming is not intended for amateurs because the process involves the use of the right equipment and safety gears that an average homeowner may not have. You cannot just cut the tree with loppers because every cut should be planned and executed correctly. Although you can borrow the proper equipment for the job, it usually requires rent payment. Save yourself the hassle of going through these things by hiring an expert. A professional arborist doesn't only have the equipment but the knowledge to do the job as well. This gives you the confidence that your tree is taken care of properly.
 
The Right Timing
A professional arborist knows the essential things about trees that you may be unaware of. There are correct methods in trimming that should be followed to ensure the tree doesn't get harmed. Also, there is a proper timing for trimming. Some trees should be trimmed before they get dormant while others can be safely trimmed all year round. When you let the professionals do the job, you can assure that they know the right time to prune your tree and avoid causing health problems in the future.
 
Tree Health
If you are planning to put off trimming until you have learned everything there is about trees, then you are putting the health of your tree in danger. Trimming is necessary to get rid of diseased or decaying branches that can fall onto your roof. It also ensures that your tree is getting enough sunlight it needs to thrive. While a professional arborist is doing the job, he can also tell if there are issues about your tree that needs to be addressed. If you think tree trimming is beyond your capacity, call a professional trimming service.

Upon hiring a tree service company, they each have their procedure and equipment when it comes to handling different types of trees. More often than not, they know the proper steps to handle different kinds of situations, but you have to watch out for one specific equipment that may cause more harm than good, and these are climbing spikes.

Climbing spikes, also known as climbing spurs, are leather straps or padded support wrapped on the climber's leg with sharp steel spikes attached to it. When climbing trees for whatever purpose, arborists usually use spikes to help them navigate through the tree, which is alright as long as they use it on a tree that will be removed. Using spikes on a healthy tree could lead to a lot of puncture wounds causing tissue death. Although smaller wounds would heal, larger ones that grouped can point to that area of the tree to die.  There is a fragile layer of tissue that helps produce new cells for the tree, using spikes could increase the likelihood of this area to be pierced. Repeated damage like this could cause permanent damage and is very harmful.

We have established that the use of spikes may damage the tree, but there are instances wherein the application of spikes is unavoidable. Below is a list of situations where the use of them is acceptable and appropriate:

• When the branches are too high, above 50 feet, and there are no cranes or aerial lifts available in sight.
• When the tree is infected or decayed, or in the process of being removed.
• When obstacles surround the tree, may it be electrical wires or another person's property, if it cannot be accessed safely by other means.

Professional tree care companies know of the dangers of spikes, and along with proper tree equipment paired with experience and trained professionals, they will do whatever means necessary to preserve the health of your tree.

Here is a list of good qualities you should find in quality tree service company:

• Reputation: Quality companies would leave good lasting impressions on their clients as well as professional affiliations with organizations such as the Tree Care Industry Association.
• Insurance: To protect you from any possible damages or liabilities ask for proof of certificates for liability and worker's protection and always be aware if they don't have a legal company. Worst-case scenario, you could be held responsible for the contractor.
• References: Having a group of good recommendations, speaks a lot about their work and how they handle it. Quality companies would be happy to share with their client's possible testimonials and good reviews from previous jobs done.
• Contract: A written agreement containing the date when the work is scheduled, the amount of work and services you're planning to avail, and the total cost. It is strongly recommended that you request them to avoid using climbing spikes unless the tree is to be cut down.