Removal of Large Tree Limbs
Removal of a large, heavy limb is not to be undertaken lightly. Primary considerations are safety to people on the ground. Good equipment and tools are essential. Depending on the size of the tree, you may need:
- A stout ladder.
- One or two strong ropes.
- A well-sharpened saw of suitable size.
- One or two short lengths of rope.
If the tree limb to be removed is quite small, (four to six inches in diameter) and the ground space where it will be dropped is not restricted, ropes may not be required. The limb can be easily removed and dropped. Place a ladder against the limb, one to three feet away from the trunk. Make an under-cut about one-third of the way through the branch. A second cut is then made from the top, a few inches ahead of the first under cut. Continue sawing until the limb drops off. This method leaves a stub but prevents the bark from tearing and stripping down the trunk. It also removes most of the weight from the point where the final cut is made. With a branch this size you can support the weight of the stump by hand as you finally sever the limb.
Make the final cut as clean and smooth as possible. The scar should be round to oval in shape. Smooth the edges of the scar using a sharp chisel. Finish off by covering the scar (leaving the bark edges uncovered) with a tree paint.
To remove a large, heavy limb, the basic procedures are the same but more attention is paid to safety, especially if space is restricted. One or two assistants may be needed. The limb should be securely roped. One rope is hitched over a higher limb to hold the weight and one or two ground ropes are used to prevent unsafe swinging and to control the direction of drop. It is also wise to secure the top of the ladder when cutting. Make sure all ropes are well-secured and that lowering is fully controlled. With very large limbs, the final stump should also be roped and lowered.
