Tree branches that are no longer living are called “deadwood.” Deadwood can be unsightly, and it can also be dangerous. Tree limbs that are dead or dying can fall and cause injury or damage to property.
Removing deadwood is one of the most important tree maintenance tasks that you can do. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, you can hire a tree service in Bryant by Urban Jacks that will do it for you.
Here’s a look at how professionals remove dead limbs on trees.
Inspect The Tree First
The first step in removing deadwood is to inspect the tree. This will give you a good idea of how much work you need to do and what kind of equipment you’ll need.
Noticing things like color changes, cracks, and decay can help you determine which branches need removal. For example, if a branch is brown and brittle, it’s probably dead. If it’s green and flexible, it’s probably still alive.
You should also look for other problems, such as disease or insect infestation.
Know How Much to Cut
Once you’ve determined which branches need removal, you need to figure out how much of dead limbs on the tree to cut.
As a rule, you should only remove about one-third of the living tissue from a branch. This will help ensure that the tree can still photosynthesize and remain healthy.
If you cut more than that, you risk damaging the tree.
Make The Correct Cuts
When you’re ready to start cutting, it’s important to make the right cuts. Make the first cut just above a bud or branch pointing in the desired direction of growth.
You should also angle the cut so that it’s slightly downward and away from the tree’s main trunk. This will help ensure that water runs off the cut and doesn’t sit on the wound.
Use The Right Tools
You’ll need a sharp saw to make clean cuts. It prunes your trees without damaging them.
If the branch is too big for a saw, you’ll need to use a chain saw. Be extra careful when using a chain saw to avoid damaging the tree.
Your tools need care in between uses as well. Be sure to clean and oil your saw regularly to keep it in good condition.
Taking care of the tree after you’ve made the cuts is also important. You should apply a wound dressing to the cut area to help protect it from disease and pests.
Use Professional Tree Services from Urban Jacks
If you have dead branches larger than a few inches in diameter, you will most likely need to hire a professional tree care company to take care of them for you.
This is not a job for the average homeowner! Removing large dead limbs on a tree is very dangerous, and only trained professionals with the proper equipment should take on the task.
Pruning trees takes lots of skill and experience to do correctly. It’s also a very physically demanding job, so it’s not something that most people can do.
If you have a tree on your property that needs pruning, your best bet is to hire a professional tree service company like Urban Jacks to do the job for you.
We have the experience and expertise to get the job done right, whether it’s ensuring your tree is healthy and looks great after pruning or handling more intensive tasks like dead tree removal. Take care of your trees and learn more about tree trimming and pruning techniques with help from the experts at Urban Jacks.
If you need help with dead limbs on a tree in or around Bryant, AR, contact Urban Jacks Tree Service today at (501) 547-4018, or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation.
