Bellevue Trailer Court Willow Pruning Project – Libby, Montana (October 2025)

Bobtail Enterprise completed a multi-day pruning project on five mature willow trees at the Bellevue Trailer Court in Libby, Montana. These willows ranged from 75 to 120 feet tall, with extensive branching typical of the species. Climbing heights were limited to about 30 feet due to willow structure, but the work required precise movement and controlled cutting.

The property owner requested pruning to improve tree appearance, remove dead or hazardous limbs, and reduce limb weight to prevent breakage during winter snow loads. The trees had not been pruned in more than 15 years, resulting in significant deadwood and overextended branches.

Four of the trees were growing around power lines feeding nearby trailers and light posts. Three trees had large sections extending directly over trailer roofs; in these cases, drop zones were extremely limited—sometimes as small as 20 feet. Working directly above homes, Bobtail Enterprise performed all pruning by climbing only, with no bucket truck access. Most limbs were removed using traditional climbing techniques, cutting branches into manageable sections and guiding them down under control. A few larger or more awkward limbs required rigging for safe lowering.

The trailer court owner provided a groundsman who assisted with moving slash to a designated disposal area using a small trailer and ATV. No chipper was used on this job.

Work proceeded at a pace of one tree per day, focusing on safety and minimizing risk to the residents and structures. All pruning was completed without damage, power line clearance was restored, canopy density was reduced, and snow-load risk significantly decreased. While willows can respond unpredictably, the pruning improved their structure and reduced immediate hazards. The client was very satisfied with both the appearance and the safety improvements.