Effizienter Baumschnitt mit Arbeitsbühnen: die richtige Bühne für die Baumpflege finden - BIBERGER

Praxis & Einsatz

Efficient tree pruning with work platforms: finding the right platform for tree care

Q: When is tree pruning permitted?

The tree pruning is in Germany through the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG) regulated. Between the March 1st and September 30th is that severe pruning or felling of trees in general forbidden to protect breeding birds. Exceptions apply to: maintenance cuts to keep the tree healthy dangerous situations , e.g. if branches could break approvals by authorities in special cases The best time for tree pruning is between October and February , as trees in the resting phase and tolerate the cut better.

Q: Which fruit trees should be pruned in February?

In the February is the ideal time for the pruning of many fruit trees , as they are in the resting phase and the wound closes quickly in spring. Particularly suitable are: pome fruit (promotes growth and fruit formation) apple tree pear tree quince Stone fruit (only light pruning, no heavy pruning!) plum Cherry (better to prune after harvest, but light winter pruning possible) Do not prune in February: peach, apricot, walnut because they are more sensitive to winter pruning.

Q: How much does professional tree trimming cost?

The cost of a professional tree trimming depend on the tree size, accessibility and workload Typical prices: Small trees (up to 5 m) : approx. 100 – 300 € Medium trees (5 – 10 m) : approx. 300 – 600 € Large trees (over 10 m) : approx. 600 – 1,500 € Additional costs may be incurred by lifting platforms , disposal and special cutting techniques arise. A on-site inspection helps to determine the exact price.

Summary

Crawler platforms for difficult terrain, truck-mounted platforms for great heights or articulated telescopic platforms for tight spaces – there is a suitable solution for every tree trimming job.The decisive factors are terrain, height, accessibility and safety requirements.

Compared to ladders, scaffolding or rope technology, work platforms offer greater stability, reach and efficiency – and therefore more safety for you and your team.Get advice on your selection and work safely and professionally on any terrain.

Summary

Professional tree trimming requires not only expertise but also the right equipment. Aerial work platforms are a safe and efficient solution for precise work at great heights.

But which stage is suitable for which application? The choice depends on tree height, terrain, and accessibility. Here you'll learn which types of stages are proven, what rules apply, and how to keep costs and safety under control.

How the terrain influences the choice of work platform

The terrain is a key factor. Soft or sloping ground requires crawler or all-terrain platforms , while solid ground allows for more compact models. A preliminary terrain analysis saves time and avoids risks.

Types of work platforms for tree trimming

Truck-mounted work platforms

Truck-mounted work platforms offer working heights of over 30 m and are quickly ready for use. They are suitable for tree work along roads or in municipal areas.

High range vertically and horizontally
Independent mobility without transport logistics
Can be implemented at short notice – ideal for changing locations

Crawler work platforms

Crawler platforms are the first choice for soft ground, slopes, or narrow access routes. Their tracked chassis protects surfaces and provides traction even in off-road conditions.

Distributed load = low floor load
Use on mud, grass or forest paths
Suitable for parks and sensitive floors

Articulated telescopic work platforms

Articulated boom lifts allow access to hard-to-reach areas. They are ideal for dense treetops or urban areas with obstacles.

Overcoming obstacles
Lateral reach through articulated arms
High mobility in tight spaces

Safety precautions when pruning trees

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

When using a chainsaw and platform , full PPE is mandatory :

Helmet with hearing and face protection
Cut-resistant trousers and gloves
Safety shoes with cut protection
Safety glasses

PPE against falls

Fall protection with a harness is mandatory in the cage. This prevents you from falling off the stage in the event of a misstep or a jolt.

Legal regulations for tree pruning

Time requirements (BNatSchG)

The Federal Nature Conservation Act stipulates closed seasons:

Prohibited: March 1 – September 30
Allowed: October 1 – February 28/29
Exceptions: Maintenance cuts are possible all year round

Approvals

Felling larger trees often requires a permit . Criteria include trunk circumference (approximately 60–80 cm or more), species protection, and local tree protection regulations. Fees typically range between €20 and €100, with processing times of two to six weeks.

Driving license and operator qualification

The following applies to operation: Minimum age 18 years, annual training and often an operator ID card (e.g. IPAF certificate).

Driving license classes for truck-mounted platforms

Vehicle type	Driving license class	Notice
Truck-mounted work platform up to 3.5 t	B	Standard car driving license is sufficient
3.5–7.5 t	C1	Special driving license required
Over 7.5 t	C	For large truck platforms

Rental costs for work platforms for tree trimming

Rental costs for work platforms vary depending on the rental period, type, and height. For a rough guide:

Stage type	Working height	Price/day
Trailer platform	13 m	approx. 160 €
Truck platform up to 3.5 t	20 m	approx. 280 €
Truck platform over 3.5 t	30 m	approx. 515 €
Crawler platform	20 m	approx. 360 €
Articulated telescopic platform	18 m	approx. 210 €

Additional costs arise for transport, insurance and deposit.

Optimal cutting times

Physiologically favorable periods are late winter before bud break and the middle of the growing season . Unfavorable periods are deep winter (prolonged wound healing) and summer/late summer (energy storage).

Practical tips for use

Check the ground and access roads in advance
Secure the work area
Only work in stable weather conditions
Have an emergency plan ready

Conclusion: The right stage for every tree trimming

Whether you need a crawler platform for off-road work or a truck-mounted platform for road work, you'll work safely and efficiently with the right solution. Pay attention to PPE, legal requirements, and trained personnel. This makes tree care professional and predictable.

Want to get started right away? Contact us or check out our rental fleet .

About the author

Martin Biberger

Managing Director

Martin is the founder and managing director of BIBERGER Arbeitsbühnen & Forklifts.

He is responsible for thetechnical areaTogether with his team, he is responsible for thetechnical purchasingthe machines thatFurther development of the machine inventoryand the smooth operation of over 1,500 BIBERGER rental devices.

From many years of experience he knows theStrengths and weaknesses of all device classes, the possibleAreas of applicationand thetechnical possibilities– always with a view to theDevelopment of the entire industryand future innovations.

0 comments

Our editorial quality standards

The subject content on biberger.de are editorially created, reviewed, and continuously updated. The basis is our daily work with aerial platforms, telehandlers, and industrial trucks – in rental, sales, operational planning, and technical support.

Each article draws on real-world experience and is editorially reviewed for clarity, accuracy, and practical relevance according to expert criteria. Technical statements are regularly compared against current industry standards and best practices.

The aim of our publications is to make reliable specialist knowledge accessible and to offer guidance to users, decision-makers and industry partners. BIBERGER sees itself as an independent information platform for safe, economical and modern height access technology – well-founded, comprehensible and free from advertising influence.

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Name

Message

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

FAQ

When is tree pruning permitted?

Thetree pruningis in Germany through theFederal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)regulated. Between theMarch 1st and September 30this thatsevere pruning or fellingof trees in generalforbiddento protect breeding birds.

Exceptions apply to:

maintenance cutsto keep the tree healthy
dangerous situations, e.g. if branches could break
approvals by authoritiesin special cases

The best time for tree pruning isbetween October and February, as trees in theresting phaseand tolerate the cut better.

Which fruit trees should be pruned in February?

In theFebruaryis the ideal time for thepruning of many fruit trees, as they are in theresting phaseand the wound closes quickly in spring. Particularly suitable are:

pome fruit(promotes growth and fruit formation)

apple tree
pear tree
quince

Stone fruit (only light pruning, no heavy pruning!)

plum
Cherry (better to prune after harvest, but light winter pruning possible)

Do not prune in February:peach, apricot, walnutbecause they are more sensitive to winter pruning.

How much does professional tree trimming cost?

The cost of aprofessional tree trimmingdepend on thetree size, accessibility and workloadTypical prices:

Small trees (up to 5 m): approx.100 – 300 €
Medium trees (5 – 10 m): approx.300 – 600 €
Large trees (over 10 m): approx.600 – 1,500 €

Additional costs may be incurred bylifting platforms, disposal and special cutting techniquesarise. Aon-site inspectionhelps to determine the exact price.

Relevant topics

View all

Sicherheit & Vorschriften

Wind und Arbeitsbühnen: Was Du für einen sicheren Einsatz unbedingt wissen musst

Wind and aerial work platforms: What you absolutely need to know for safe use

Key problem: Why wind loads are so often underestimated Wind load is one of the most underestimated risks when using aerial work platforms. At ground level, wind force 6, with 12.5 m/s or around 45 km/h, often seems relatively harmless....

Markt & Trends

Arbeitsbühnenmärkte weltweit KI generiert

Aerial work platforms worldwide: An international comparison of markets, manufacturers & costs

Aerial work platforms are indispensable on almost every construction site and in many industries. However, although the basic technology is similar worldwide, markets differ significantly in terms of regulation, manufacturing landscape, pace of innovation, and typical application profiles. Understanding international...

Praxis & Einsatz

Arbeitsbühne Privat mieten – Was ist erlaubt?

Renting a work platform as a private individual – What is allowed?

Aerial work platforms are primarily designed, standardized, and planned for commercial use. Typical applications include facade construction, plant and building technology, and industrial maintenance. Accordingly, equipment selection, insurance models, and rental procedures are geared primarily towards commercial users with trained...

Praxis & Einsatz Sicherheit & Vorschriften

Anschlagen von Lasten – Anschlagmittel richtig auswählen und sicher einsetzen

Lifting loads – selecting and safely using lifting equipment

Safely attaching loads is one of the most demanding tasks when operating cranes , forklifts , and lifting equipment. Errors almost never occur during the lifting itself, but almost always result from misjudging the load capacity, type of attachment, or...

Praxis & Einsatz

Become a forklift driver: safely, trained and responsibly

A moment of inattention 7:15 a.m. A forklift driver begins his early shift. Routine. He only gives the forklift a cursory check – time pressure, the truck is waiting. On the third lift, the fork tine snaps at an old...

Fehlerdiagnose & Wartung Technik & Funktion

CAN-Bus und J1939-Diagnose bei Baumaschinen - BIBERGER

CAN bus and J1939 diagnostics in construction machinery

Modern construction machinery is now highly networked systems. Sensors, control units and safety modules communicate with each other constantly – and this happens via the so-called CAN bus . The CAN bus is essentially the nervous system of every modern...

Fehlerdiagnose & Wartung

Magni Diagnose-Leitfaden: Fehlermeldungen richtig deuten - BIBERGER

Magni Diagnostic Guide: How to correctly interpret error messages

If your Magni telehandler (RTH / HTH series) suddenly displays a warning, it's rarely a total breakdown. Usually, a safety or protective function is being activated. This guide explains the most important error codes, their meaning, and how to react...

Technik & Funktion

3D arm on aerial work platforms: Technology, advantages and model codes at a glance

The so-called 3D arm – also known as a 3D basket arm , pendulum basket arm , or hybrid jib – is a state-of-the-art feature for aerial work platforms. Its three-axis mobility allows for particularly precise work in hard-to-reach areas....

View all