This story is part three in a four part series that talks about how different types of trees affect work.
The type of tree plays a role in how workers prepare for tree trimming jobs. Each tree has different characteristics. Hardwood trees such as oak, or American elm have strong fibers, whereas willows or cotton wood are more brittle trees. These characteristics change how the worker can do things. Strong fibers usually need a chainsaw to get through the branch, but a hand saw can cut through the branches of a brittle tree. If a worker is being tied into a tree, they need a strong branch to support them. If they are in a tree that is more brittle, they must find a larger branch to hold them properly.
The trimming of oak trees is focused on during the winter months because of oak wilt disease. During the summer months beetles are attracted to the smell of oak and red oak trees when they are trimmed. These beetles carry a fungus that can spread to the tree causing the disease, which can wipe out oak trees within a year. To decrease the spread of the virus from beetles, a majority of oak trees are trimmed during the colder months of September through March when the beetles are not in season.
Click here for part four which will conclude our tree trimming series.