If you have a thick tree in your backyard and you want to make a little bit pruning or cutting the thicker branches from the ground then you have basically three choices. First is that you need to call a professional, second, you can use a ladder or you can make use of a pole saw to do all the work by yourself. If you don’t want to spend money by calling a professional then the best thing you can use is to make use of a pole saw. Here, I would like to explain how to use a pole saw correctly and in a safe manner.
Things to know before you start:
Before making use of this tool make sure to gather some information about how to make use of this powerful tool in order to prune the specific tree branches. If you have a good yard and you want to make your tree grow well and stay healthy so you have to keep an eye on the proper maintenance of the trees. These day’s people know that the pruning and trimming of trees are necessary to encourage fruit or flower production. If you are planning to make some cuts then the best time to trim the tree branches is during the winter months because it is that time when a tree is dormant and you can easily make the branches fall off the ground. However, if you are planning to trim something in the summer months then you just need to avoid the rainy days and clear the ground before making the final operation.
Some necessary Cautions:
- Keep in mind that whenever you are trying to cut something from the ground and 14 feet high in the air that’s the time when you are in a dangerous situation and you have to keep in mind your safety first before thinking of any cutting or trimming of wood.
- If you are cutting for the first time then you can have uncontrolled drops and it can hurt or damage your body so it is important to be perfectly alert.
- Make sure that you have proper control of a pole saw because many times these tools are very heavy especially when you are cutting something above 8 feet.
- Do not work around the power lines or cables because you are not a professional to handle if any mishap is taken place. In this case, make sure to call a professional and don’t be overconfident.
- You have to make yourself familiar with the cutting techniques especially when you want to cut a heavy branch. These techniques will let you know how you can reduce the weight of a branch before making the final cut and it falls off the ground.
An Easy Guide to Use the Pole Saw Correctly:
Clear the workspace:
It is necessary to cordon off the area where you want to work so that the people or kids can stay away from the place. Always clean the space under the tree so that you can make an easy retreat whenever there is some need. You should be able to quickly move under the trees and there should not be any hurdles in case something goes wrong.
Plan the cut:
Inspect the tree branches from different angles because it is necessary to make a good angled cut. If you want to remove a big branch then try focusing on some preliminary and jump cuts as it will reduce the weight of the wood. You should make some horizontal cuts for reducing the weight.
Adjust the position of the Saw:
First of all, make a firm grip on the saw with your hands. Now raise the pole saw to the position and control the weight firmly. Once you are able to have firm grip then move forward and take the saw to the cutting spot. In order to make a safe cut, let the saw sit on the branch.
Adjust your own position:
Once you have set the position of the saw, now it’s your turn to adjust yourself at an angle where you can easily make small cuts holding the stick at your chest level. At this you should never stand below the limb, always stand on the side making an angle. The angle of your pole should never be right above your head as it is dangerous.
Start Cutting and Pruning:
In the next step, start your work by going slow on the small branches. For best cutting, make a grove in the wood as it will make the later strokes faster. If you feel that saw is slipping on the side then you can take a break. During the work you will have to keep an eye on the branch and make final cuts. Once the final cut is made then immediately retreat yourself to avoid any injury.
Clean up the area:
Once you have done the cutting or pruning work then you need to clean the area properly. If you need to do further cutting then clean the already fallen branches before start another work.
Some More Pruning Tips:
- Always start from small branches especially when you are using the pole saw for the first time because it is better to trim small branches first before moving to the large vines. Once you start with small branches then gradually move towards the larger ones and take extra caution as well.
- Don’t cut the branches standing directly under the tree but always make an angle. First of all, look at the tree from different angles and then make small horizontal cuts. The jump cuts are made against gravity so make sure to balance yourself before making the jump cuts.
- Learn the techniques of reducing the weight before doing the final cuts because uncontrolled wood drops can be dangerous for you.
Always read the instruction manual that comes along with the pole saw so that you can have the full idea about the working of the tool and all the safety measures.