The plane tree at the end of the condo park's driveway has branches touching the power lines, or the cherry tree in the client's yard is overhanging the neighbor's roof and needs to be cut back before the dead wood comes down. In both cases, someone has to go up, and how they get there changes everything: the time, the risks, the quality of the cut.
Who can do this work
National and European regulations on working at height are clear on one point: anyone operating on a tall tree in a professional setting must have documented, specific training, must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate to the height and fall risk, and must work with certified attachments. Field experience alone is not enough: training must be traceable and PPE must comply with applicable standards.
In practice: helmet with face protection, certified harness, restraint or positioning lanyard, and slip-resistant protective footwear. Every item must be inspected before each use and replaced when it shows signs of wear.
When to prune: timing matters
The timing of the cut affects how well the plant recovers and how pathogens spread. The general rule is to prune at the end of winter, when the plant is still dormant but the hardest cold has passed. Cuts heal better and the risk of fungal infection is lower.
There are exceptions: some species respond poorly to winter pruning and do better with light summer work, after flowering. Before starting, it's worth checking the species and, in uncertain cases, consulting an agronomist. In historic districts or protected gardens, a schedule may be imposed by local municipal regulations or the managing authority: always verify before planning the jobsite.
Tree climbing or aerial work platform: two different approaches
Tree climbing is the technique of ascending with ropes and a harness directly on the tree. It gives access to difficult branches and works well on freestanding trees with a wide canopy and solid limbs to anchor the rope to. It's the right choice when there's no room to maneuver a machine on the ground, or when the tree is on a steep slope accessible only on foot.
Its limitations are real: the operator has both hands occupied most of the time, positioning on thin or rotten branches is risky, and fatigue builds up quickly. Every cut requires repositioning, and bringing the material down to the ground is almost always additional work done by hand.
A tracked aerial work platform operates differently: the operator rides in the basket, remains anchored to the structure at all times, has both hands free to use the chainsaw or handsaw, and can move at height without coming down. Time per individual branch is reduced and position control is constant. The platform works well on tree-lined driveways, parks, and private yards accessible even by foot only. Where it doesn't work: when the canopy is so dense and complex that it's impossible to reach in with the boom, or when the ground below is so unstable that the machine can't be supported even on tracks.
In the Cormidi lineup
The Cormidi tracked aerial work platforms KB20 and KB23 feature a boom that articulates around the tree and a basket from which the operator works safely. The tracks allow movement on uneven ground and passage through a narrow gate without removing anything. The KB11 mounts instead on the undercarriage of CMF multi-purpose machines. On the KB20 and KB23, an under-bridge boom is also available, useful when work needs to be done beneath a structure, along with a crane kit with log grab for lowering cut sections in a controlled manner without dropping them.
If you've already read the article on cutting tall hedges, you'll recognize the same logic: safe access at height solves the problem before the first cut is even made.
What to check before organizing the jobsite
Before sending an operator up into a tall tree, run through these checks in order.
Check whether the tree is in a protected area or subject to municipal regulations: in some municipalities a permit is required even for pruning alone. Assess the condition of the tree with a qualified technician: a tree with internal decay or compromised roots can be unstable during work. Verify the access route for the machine: gate width, presence of steps or grade changes, ground condition. Finally, plan where to temporarily stage the debris before loading it and hauling it out.
To choose the right platform for your work area, contact a local Cormidi dealer: they can show you the machines, assess access dimensions, and help you figure out which configuration you actually need.
