Trees are essential to a healthy, luscious, and abundant garden. They improve soil health, minimize carbon dioxide levels, promote airflow, and stabilize oxygen levels. They also provide natural shade so you can relax outdoors without the risk of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
To keep your trees healthy, take a stroll around your garden and conduct a simple visual inspection. So what did you find out? Do your trees look dense? Are they growing out of hand? Do they have diseased or dead branches?
If your trees aren’t as healthy and luscious as they were, you might need minimal trimming to revitalize their condition, restore their beauty, and improve their health. But first, what is tree trimming?
Tree trimming is the process of removing unwanted tree parts, such as diseased limbs, dead branches, and dried twigs. Trimming is not only for aesthetics but also for proper tree development. It promotes a healthy structure and foliage development.
Tree trimming requires tools like a pole pruner and a chainsaw. Since the process is a bit risky, especially when using chainsaws, you should learn how to trim trees safely to prevent accidents and fatal injuries.
Here are some helpful tips to keep you safe when trimming trees:
Wear Chainsaw Chaps
A chainsaw is an automated saw with sharp teeth edges that can slice through giant trees. Because of its risk, using a chainsaw requires wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly chainsaw chaps.
Chainsaw chaps are trousers that can resist the powerful cutting action of a chainsaw. They’re specifically designed for arborists and other laborers in the logging industry.
Chainsaw chaps are different from regular site worker pants. These trousers are made with thick layers of Kevlar threads, which prevent the chainsaw blades from penetrating, protecting the lower body from injuries.
But can you still use them after they’ve been cut? Yes, you can. All you need to do is have the ripped Kevlar threads repaired. Don’t worry, because chaps have multiple Kevlar layers, so the chainsaw shouldn’t be able to touch your legs.
Wear Eye And Ear Protection
Trimming large trees can cause harm to your eyes and ears. The process can generate a significant level of noise and sawdust that can damage your ears and eyes when left unprotected. This is why wearing eye gear (e.g., arborist mesh safety glasses) and ear protection (e.g., muffs and plugs) are extremely important.
Eye protection can be a face shield, safety glasses, or a helmet with a face shield. You can use whatever makes you comfortable while working as long as it can prevent the sawdust from reaching your eyes.
Ear protection can be earplugs or earmuffs. They may be cheap, but they’re absolutely effective in blocking chainsaw noise, which can reach 120 decibels. Experts say that an 85-decibel noise is harmful enough to cause hearing loss.
Wear Hand Protection
Hand protection, or arborist gloves, is a type of PPE you must never ignore. Whether you’re moving, sawing, or climbing, your hands are important to execute your tasks and responsibilities as an arborist.
Also, it’s important to ensure that your gloves are appropriate for your job. Here are the two types of gloves ideal for arborists:
- High-Impact: These gloves are designed to protect you from severe injuries. They contain layers of Kevlar threads, which can protect your hands from chainsaw cuts and other punctures.
- Climbing Gloves: These gloves are ideal when climbing a tree. They can also protect your hands from chainsaw injuries, although their main purpose is to help you climb trees safely, thanks to their anti-slip technology.
Wear A Helmet
Wearing a helmet is necessary when on the job, whether at the top of the tree or from the ground. Helmets can protect your head from falling debris, such as branches, limbs, and twigs, or out of the tree.
Here are the two types of helmets you might need:
- Cap-Safety: This helmet is ideal for an arborist working from below. This meets the minimum safety standards, keeping you safe from falling branches, limbs, and other debris from the tree.
- Climbing Helmets: You’ll need this type of helmet if you plan to climb up to the tree. These helmets have chin straps to prevent you from falling off the tree.
To make sure you’re protected, ensure that your helmets meet the safety requirements of European and American standards.
Final Words
Arborists are prone to serious injuries, especially when trimming trees. Therefore, you want to make sure to keep yourself secure before you start working. Make sure to buy chainsaw chaps, eyewear, ear protection, gloves, and helmets to protect yourself from chainsaw injuries, sawdust, noise, and falling objects, respectively.
