A method of trimming a tree, said method comprising:
- providing a tree trimming assembly, the tree trimming assembly comprising:
- a self-climbing platform;
- a motorized carrier disposed on at least a top surface of the self-climbing platform;
- and
- a trimming portion removably coupled to the motorized carrier, the trimming portion comprising:
- a base removably attached to the motorized carrier;
- an actuator attached to the base, the actuator comprising an extendable piston element that is extendable;
- a first articulating arm having a curved configuration to receive a tree trunk or adjacent peripheral growth of the tree;
- a second articulating arm and having a curved configuration positioned opposite the first articulating arm so that the first articulating arm and the second articulating arm form a central opening and are moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the open configuration, the trunk of the tree is receivable within the central opening, and wherein in the closed configuration, the first articulating arm and the second articulating arm substantially encircle the trunk of the tree;
- a plurality of cutting tools interchangeably attached to each of the first articulating arm and the second articulating arm to contact the trunk of the tree or adjacent peripheral growth of the tree to effect cutting or the trimming of the trunk of the tree or adjacent peripheral growth of the tree;
- and
- a wheel element attached to the base, wherein the wheel element directly contacts the trunk of the tree and serves as an indicator of pressure exerted by the actuator;
- wherein the extendable piston element of the actuator is coupled to the first articulating arm and the second articulating arm, wherein when the extendable piston element extends, the first articulating arm and the second articulating arm move to the open configuration, and wherein when the extendable piston element retracts, the first articulating arm and the second articulating arm move to the closed configuration so that the plurality of cutting tools engage with a surface of the trunk of the tree, wherein the first articulating arm and the second articulating arm move independently of each other;
- and
- wherein the first articulating arm and the second articulating arm each further comprise one or more wheels to control a cut depth and eliminate resistance from the first articulating arm so that rotational friction comes from the plurality of cutting tools cutting into the trunk of the tree or adjacent peripheral growth;
- mounting the tree trimming assembly to the trunk of the tree, wherein the self-climbing platform substantially encircles the trunk of the tree;
- climbing the trunk of the tree with the self-climbing platform to a desired location of the trunk of the tree for the trimming;
- driving the motorized carrier to a starting point of the tree;
- activating the actuator by extending the extendable piston element so that the first articulating arm and the second articulating arm in the open configuration to receive the trunk of the tree;
- retracting the extendable piston element so that the first articulating arm and the second articulating arm are in the closed configuration substantially encircling the trunk of the tree;
- aligning and centering the first articulating arm and second articulating arm by adjusting the pressure of the actuator, thereby ensuring that the one or more wheels of the first articulating arm and the second articulating arm, the wheel element of the base, and the plurality of cutting tools are in direct contact with the trunk of the tree;
- driving the motorized carrier on the self-climbing platform in one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction;
- and
- trimming the tree by cutting the adjacent peripheral growth of the tree by engaging the trunk of the tree with the plurality of cutting tools.