That is a good question. Hedgetrimmers are heavy when doing thousands of trees. in the summer with the new soft branches it is faster and less tiresome to swing a light thin blade. In the winter branches are firmer and in the scenario in this video we are reshaping poorly shaped trees. This sometimes involves cutting back into the previous years branches that are bigger and woodier. It is helpful at this time to use the motorized blade.
@@FlanaganHomestead Ok, that you for a very swift reply. I have never seen a blade like that. Does it have a name or is it something you have made on your own?
When I first started farming I started shaping/ shearing and cutting leader back onthem very young. we found this slowed the growth and added a couple years to get to harvest. Now we don’t ever cut back the leader until they are about 5 feet tall. We do enough side shearing if needed when young to keep them inside their final width.
It is not technically a trimmer. It is their Kombi system motor. I can put in a trimmer attachmentor a chain saw on a pole, which I have there are other attachments you can get as well. I also have a 3 foot extension rod which I rarely if ever use trimming my trees but I do use it for cutting branches off big trees around the property or pruning tall fruit trees. I hope to make a quick video on this system when I get back from vacation in a week. The smaller motor I believe is currently about $200 the trimmer attachment will add about that much again
I have never used the electric. The battery powered tools in general have been getting so much better the last few years. I believe with sharp blades it could probably work. How many trees you could do before changing batteries would be a big question.
We use a dewalt 12” chainsaw to do a lot of tree cutting batteries last about 1/2 a day. We have all the dewalt stuff for our other business & Iam really happy with how they perform. Sometimes the 2 cycles are a bear to get running. If I end up going that way I’ll post something up.
@@schradertreefarm we have heard the battery chainsaws have really improved. Considering getting one for harvest season when we have guests all over the farm. Having four or five has chainsaws going can be quit e the ruckus.
@@FlanaganHomestead they aren’t as fast as a gas saw but much more quieter. They still take oil for the bar so you must monitor that. The bar length is something that still needs improvement.
Really appreciate you taking the time to make and share these informative videos. Great for beginners like me. Thanks!!
You’re welcome thanks for watching.
Great video on winter trimming!
Thanks for the content! Great job love your work
Interesting to see how much you can affect the overall shape of the tree through strategic trimming. I had no idea.
Would be nice to see these trees this year... if they are not sold :)
Great video. Very good examples.
Thank you. I appreciate the kind words
Thank you for showing this. I wonder why you dont't use a hedgetrimmer in the summer as well?
That is a good question. Hedgetrimmers are heavy when doing thousands of trees. in the summer with the new soft branches it is faster and less tiresome to swing a light thin blade. In the winter branches are firmer and in the scenario in this video we are reshaping poorly shaped trees. This sometimes involves cutting back into the previous years branches that are bigger and woodier. It is helpful at this time to use the motorized blade.
@@FlanaganHomestead Ok, that you for a very swift reply. I have never seen a blade like that. Does it have a name or is it something you have made on your own?
😊
Do you pick up tree trimmings or do they essential compost under the trees? Thanks
Compost on the ground
Do you ever get winter burn when you shear in the winter time?
I never have but our winters are not to harsh here
hi. when is the best time to shear the nordmann?
Here it is typically late July or early August. The new growth is to its full length but it is still soft and easy to shear.
Great vid! Is it possible to permanently limit the height of the tree without topping so natural taper continues?
Unfortunately no. A tree will always try to produce a center leader and grow up. You can really shorten it each year but it will continue to push up.
Does every tree in the lot need winter shearing or is it just corrective? Do you do it every year or just during certain years of growth?
This is corrective. If we did a good job sheering in the summer, the need for winter sheering will be minimal
Hi! Is that Fraser fir? Can i do this with blue spruce or nordman fir?
In this video I was doing it with nordman and noble fir. You can do it with Fraser or most any fir as well.
How old are the trees when you first start trimming them?
When I first started farming I started shaping/ shearing and cutting leader back onthem very young. we found this slowed the growth and added a couple years to get to harvest. Now we don’t ever cut back the leader until they are about 5 feet tall. We do enough side shearing if needed when young to keep them inside their final width.
I apologize if I missed it, but what’s the model on that trimmer? Looks versatile!
It is not technically a trimmer. It is their Kombi system motor. I can put in a trimmer attachmentor a chain saw on a pole, which I have there are other attachments you can get as well. I also have a 3 foot extension rod which I rarely if ever use trimming my trees but I do use it for cutting branches off big trees around the property or pruning tall fruit trees. I hope to make a quick video on this system when I get back from vacation in a week. The smaller motor I believe is currently about $200 the trimmer attachment will add about that much again
Do you think an electric Dewalt hedge trimmer would work?
I have never used the electric. The battery powered tools in general have been getting so much better the last few years. I believe with sharp blades it could probably work. How many trees you could do before changing batteries would be a big question.
We use a dewalt 12” chainsaw to do a lot of tree cutting batteries last about 1/2 a day. We have all the dewalt stuff for our other business & Iam really happy with how they perform. Sometimes the 2 cycles are a bear to get running. If I end up going that way I’ll post something up.
@@schradertreefarm we have heard the battery chainsaws have really improved. Considering getting one for harvest season when we have guests all over the farm. Having four or five has chainsaws going can be quit e the ruckus.
@@FlanaganHomestead they aren’t as fast as a gas saw but much more quieter. They still take oil for the bar so you must monitor that. The bar length is something that still needs improvement.