Video | Day in the Life

Let’s go on an adventure!

Hi, my name is Zeb, and I’m a certified arborist with Leaf & Limb. We are here on a property today to prune a variety of small trees and shrubs. Mostly to remove dead wood but also to provide clearance to the house.

These are pole clips which we use to make smaller cuts on ornamental trees mostly and cuts that are smaller then one inch in diameter. Ok, I’m going to make a few cuts to this tree to shape it up and keep its form a little bit tighter. The client really doesn’t want it that much different, so I’m going to be pretty conservative. You mostly want to target the top of the tree and look for the worst sprouts.

Ok, let’s make some snips to this Japanese Maple. Mostly to get it off of touching the house. We will also remove some dead branches if we find them. We have an interesting clustering of issues right here, with several conflicting branches right here in the center of this Japanese Maple. We can go ahead and remove it. We are going to have a make a cut up top to start and disentangle this first. So let’s make the first cut. We can get that out of here. Now I can make another cut down low. Then we can come in for our finish cut. There you go, structural issues fixed.

I’m about to climb this tree to gain a bit of structural clearance and weight reduction over the house. You will see what I mean in a minute, so let’s have a climb. A little bounce test to ensure I’m safe here. Feels good; we are climbing a Silver Maple today, which isn’t the strongest of trees. Alright, I’m clipped in, and let’s double-check on our buckles. Here we go. I think this branch in front of me violates our clearance. So I’m going to go ahead and take the tip of it off. Let’s get into good body positioning here.

Alright, I got a rope to me now, and I need to determine how I am going to pull this piece. I think I will rig it off itself, and tie a neat little bowline in here. Cinch it up really nicely. Ok, I am starting to make my cut. Back Cut! Ok, you are safe to move in. Lowering… Full Slack. Ropes free.

Well, we just got finished pruning a few trees, did a couple of climbs, and we finished most of the backyard. And I guess since it’s about twelve thirty we will take a lunch break here for a little bit and have a snack before we finish up.

I already got photos before and fun photos, so I don’t have to worry about that.