Trimming & Removing Trees at Home

Tree work is among the most dangerous things homeowners do. Falls from ladders, branches that strike, chainsaw cuts and contact with power lines injure and kill people every year. Small, low pruning can be a DIY job. Anything that needs climbing, a chainsaw overhead, or is near wires should go to a professional.

• Homeowners
• Landscapers
• Renters
• Volunteers

Know your limits: when to hire an arborist

• Near power lines: Don't trim or let tools, ladders or branches touch anywhere near them. Stay at least 10 feet away from power lines (more for high-voltage lines) and call the utility. Only qualified line-clearance tree workers should trim near energized lines. See Overhead Power Lines.
• Large trees or heavy limbs over the house, cars, fences or neighbors.
• Any job that needs you to climb or use a chainsaw above shoulder height.
• Dead, diseased, leaning or storm-damaged trees, which can break unpredictably and are under tension.
• Tree removal: felling a tree is a skilled technique. Many insurers and cities also have rules. See Hiring Contractors.

If you hire an arborist, check that they have insurance and workers' compensation, references and ideally a certified arborist (ISA). Get a written estimate and beware of door-to-door storm chasers.

Planning small jobs

• Look up and around first: check for power and service lines, dead branches, wasp nests, weak limbs and obstacles. Look for the line to the house, too.
• Set a drop zone and keep people and pets out, with a helper watching. Plan where the branch will fall and your escape path.
• Don't work in wind, rain, ice or lightning, or when tired. See Thunderstorms & Lightning.
• Use proper tools: sharp pruning saws, loppers, pole pruners and, for small limbs, a hand saw. Keep tools sharp and in good repair.
• Wear hard hat or helmet, safety glasses or face shield, gloves, hearing protection, sturdy boots and long pants. See Chainsaw PPE.

Ladders and pole tools

• Don't climb into a tree from a ladder with a saw, and never use a ladder as a platform for a chainsaw. Use a pole saw from the ground instead.
• If you must use a ladder for light work, set it on firm level ground, tie it off, face the ladder and keep three points of contact. See Home Ladder Safety.
• Choose non-conductive (fiberglass) poles and still stay far from power lines. Wet or metal poles can conduct electricity.
• Cut small limbs at the branch collar, using the three-cut method for heavier limbs to prevent bark tearing and unexpected falls.
• Stand to the side of the falling branch, not underneath. Watch for branches that spring back or twist when cut.

Chainsaw basics

• Read the manual, check the chain brake, chain tension and sharpness, and fuel outdoors with the engine off. See Chainsaws for Homeowners.
• Use a firm two-handed grip, keep the saw below shoulder height, and avoid cutting with the tip to prevent kickback.
• Wear chainsaw chaps, a helmet with face and ear protection, gloves and boots.
• Don't use a chainsaw alone, in a tree, or if you're tired, impaired or hurried.
• Don't try to cut trees on or against power lines, or hung-up trees. Call professionals.

After storms

• Treat downed lines as live and stay away, keeping others back. Call the utility and 911. Trees touching lines can energize the tree and ground.
• Storm-damaged trees have hidden tension and split trunks and can kill. Wait for professionals. See Disaster Cleanup Safety and Hurricanes & Floods.
• Beware of unlicensed storm chasers who demand large payments in advance.
• Watch out for generator fumes, ladders on wet ground and heat. See Power Outages & Generators.

Tree trimming checklist

• I checked for power lines and kept at least 10 feet away
• The job is small and low; big, dead or high-risk jobs go to an arborist
• I set a drop zone, have a helper and wear helmet, eye, hearing and leg protection
• I use a pole saw from the ground, not a chainsaw from a ladder
• After storms, I leave leaning trees and anything near lines to professionals

Last updated: October 5, 2026