A mature, tall tree is an asset to any garden – it provides shade, lowers temperatures, and adds beauty and character. But what happens when the top starts to "go wild"? Tall, out-of-place branches are not only an aesthetic nuisance, but a real safety hazard. At Abeni Holdings, we often encounter customers who have tried to solve the problem with a home ladder and a hand saw – and have discovered the hard way that pruning at height is a profession in itself. In this article, we will explain how to properly prune tall branches and why it is critical to follow safety rules.

Why are tall branches dangerous?

When a tree grows to a height without control, several problems arise:

1. Winter collapse: Tall branches are exposed to stronger winds. When they are laden with foliage (as in ficuses or eucalyptus), they become a "sail" and can break and fall on vehicles, roofs, or, God forbid, people.
2. Friction with infrastructure: Branches touching power lines pose an electrocution and fire hazard. Branches rubbing against tiled roofs can break them and cause water infiltration in the winter.
3. Light blocking: An overly dense canopy prevents sunlight from reaching the lower parts of the tree and the grass below it, which harms the health of the entire garden.

Our methods for height pruning (how does it work?)

Pruning branches at a height of 5, 10 or 15 meters requires much more than a good saw. We adapt the method to the terrain conditions:

• Pruning with a telescopic pole (medium height): For trees up to 4-6 meters tall, we use dedicated pole saws (telescopic poles) that allow the operator to stand safely on the ground and make precise cuts from a distance.
• Basket crane (the safest method): When there is access to a truck, the best and fastest way is to use a bucket crane. The crane allows the pruner to comfortably reach any point in the tree, and to perform the sawing in a controlled manner (piece by piece) to prevent heavy trunks from falling to the ground.
• Pruning while climbing (rappelling): In backyards or places where a crane cannot enter, our certified climbers come into play. Using harnesses, ropes, and safety equipment, the climber reaches the top of the tree and carefully lowers the branches using ropes (Rigging) so as not to damage the ground or vegetation below.

3 iron rules for high pruning that you must know

1. Insurance, insurance, insurance: Never let someone without third-party and employers' liability insurance climb a tree in your yard. A falling pruner or heavy branch could result in millions in claims. At Evin Holdings, we are fully insured.
2. Don't cut everything: Overly aggressive pruning ("topping") weakens the tree and causes it to grow weak, brittle branches in the future. A professional pruner knows where to cut to maintain the tree's health.
3. Safe evacuation: Top pruning produces a huge amount of cuttings. Make sure in advance that the price quote includes crushing the cuttings or removing them to an authorized site.

In conclusion Has your tree reached the sky? Don't take unnecessary risks. Pruning tall branches requires knowledge, proper equipment, and experience.

Need to lower the height a bit? Send us a picture of the tree and we'll take care of the rest.