Tree Limb Removal: How to Prune Tree Branches

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Promote healthy tree growth with these cutting tips
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Whether you are trimming and pruning your tree or removing a rotten limb, cutting a limb from a tree is easy to do if you follow the proper 3-cut technique. Make 1 partial cut on the limb close to the tree trunk, then make a second cut a little further down on the limb to remove most of the branch. Cut your tree limb a final time just outside the branch collar. In this article, we’ll teach you all the steps to properly cut a limb from a tree, plus teach you which cuts to make to promote healthy growth.

The Best Way to Cut Off a Tree Limb

Use the 3-cut method for best results. First, make a cut on the underside of the limb, cutting about ¼ through the wood. Then, move out about a foot and cut from the top of the branch, sawing all the way through. With the weight of the branch gone, saw off the rest of the limb at the branch collar to promote healing.

Section 1 of 2:

Cutting the Tree Limb

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  1. Pruning your tree when it’s dormant gives it time to heal before threatening pests arrive in the spring and summer. If you have particularly cold winters, wait until the coldest part of the season is over before pruning the tree. [1]
    • Pruning in the winter will also help your tree grow more during the spring.
    • Avoid pruning your tree during the growing season or you could stunt its growth.
  2. Using a chainsaw is the quickest and easiest method to chop down a limb. On the other hand, using a hand or bow saw gives you more control over your cuts, though they will take a bit more muscle and time to cut through a thick limb. [2]
    • When using a hand or bow saw, move the saw back and forth quickly to make clean, straight cuts. Make an initial mark on the tree limb, then go back and saw it off.
    • If using a chainsaw, handle the machine with care and read all safety warnings on the saw before you use it. Make sure to wear protective eyewear and gloves, as well.
    • If the limbs are small (with a diameter of 3 ⁄ 4 in or 20 mm or less), use a pair of pruning shears or loppers to remove them. Small branches can be removed with a single cut at the tree’s branch collar.
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  3. The best way to cut a tree limb is to use the 3 cut (or triple cut) method. First, make a small notch on the underside of the branch, about ¼ of the way through. This undercut, or notch cut, helps keep the bark from splitting. [3]
  4. Move about .5–1 foot (0.15–0.30 m) away from your first cut, and place your blade on the top side of the limb. This time, cut entirely through the limb so it falls off the tree. This is called your “relief cut,” and it removes the weight of the branch so it will be easier to make your final cut. [4]
    • If you skip over this cut and go right for your final cut, you might damage the trunk and expose your tree to pests and disease.
  5. The branch collar is where the swollen bump of the tree meets the smooth branch section. To make a healthy cut, move your saw along the slant of the branch collar to smoothly remove the remnants of the limb. [5]
    • Sometimes, the slant of the branch collar can be tricky to reach. Make your cut from the bottom up if it’s easier than going from the top down.
    • Make sure your hands are not in the way of your hand saw or chainsaw.
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Section 2 of 2:

Promoting Healthy Growth

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  1. It used to be popular to trim the limb as close to the trunk as possible, but that can actually cause your tree to get sick. Instead of cutting at the tree trunk, cut at the branch collar right before the trunk so the tree can recover easily. [6]
    • Cutting too close to the trunk can lead to rotten holes and seeping wounds in the trunk.
  2. The branch collar will heal after the limb is removed, but if the tree limb extends too far past the branch collar, it will heal more slowly. Any remaining branches or stubs will interfere with the healing process. [7]
  3. If most of the limb’s weight is removed before trimming the branch itself, your branches may split off. This can cause major damage to your tree. [8]
    • Your tree can become susceptible to disease or insect infestation if your relief cut is not made properly.
  4. One of the most important reasons for pruning a tree is to keep it healthy. Removing broken or damaged branches encourages wounds to heal, so cut off any limbs that have been injured by insects, animals, storms, or disease. Look for discolored leaves and bark to determine which branches need to be removed. [9]
    • If you’re not sure how to tell if a branch is dead, scrape off a small piece of bark. If the branch is alive, it will be soft and green underneath. If it’s dead, it will be hard and brown.
    • Diseased branches may lack bark or have wilted, spotted leaves. Certain areas may even ooze. These limbs should be cut back at least 6 inches below the diseased area to promote healthy wood growth.
  5. Crown thinning refers to the selective removal of limbs to help increase light penetration and air movement throughout the tree. When thinning, leave branches that are attached with a large “U” shape, and instead cut off limbs that connect with a narrow “V.” These V-shaped limbs (known as lateral or vertical branches) often form “included bark”, which is a section of inward-rolled bark between the limbs. This bark prevents the branches from attaching securely and can lead to cracks and breakage. [10]
    • When thinning the canopy, remove limbs from the outer edges rather than the tree’s interior.
    • Vertical branches mainly produce vegetative growth and very little fruit compared to horizontal branches.
    • Similarly, remove branches that cross or rub together to promote healthy growth. In most cases, it’s best to remove the branch that is moving toward the other and leave the one that is growing out normally.
  6. If you cut more than a quarter of the tree’s limbs at once, the tree may become stressed and produce excessive amounts of epicormic sprouts (also known as water sprouts or suckers), which can be harmful for the tree’s overall structural health. If you need to cut more than ¼ of the limbs, do so over successive years. [11]
    • Water sprouts are upright shoots that develop from dormant buds on the tree’s trunk or large branches.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What time of year should Dutch Elms be cut down?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Cutting limbs off of a tree is best done when the tree is dormant. If you are cutting the tree all the way down and removing it, the timing doesn’t matter as much.
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  • Question
    Can I use paint or a stain to seal a cut off branch?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Using paint or stain is unnecessary to seal a cut branch. The tree will heal well on its own as long as the cut was made properly.
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  • Question
    I have one dying branch on my apple tree. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    I would go ahead and carefully remove the dying branch. If the tree starts to die in other places, it may need to come down entirely.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Chainsaw, hand saw, or pruning shears
      • Ladder
      • Safety glasses
      • Gardening gloves

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      Warnings

      • Never overreach with a chainsaw. If you need to make a cut above shoulder height, try using a hand saw or consulting a professional.
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      • Consult with a professional if you cannot reach a tree limb without a ladder. For hard to reach limbs, it is best to hire a professional who has adequate equipment to safely remove a tree limb.
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      • Remove large tree limbs with care. Many large limbs are integral to the skeleton of the tree, and cutting them off could be hazardous to the health of your tree.
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      • Make sure to grip your chainsaw with both hands and that the area you are cutting is free of any obstructions.
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      • Always use caution when using a saw. If you use a chainsaw, be aware that a "kickback" may occur. "Kickback" refers to the reverse force that occurs when your chainsaw's tip touches an object. Always have control of the chainsaw to prevent any injury. [13]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs
      2. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs
      3. ↑ https://www.portland.gov/trees/tree-care-and-resources/how-prune-properly
      4. ↑ https://www.portland.gov/trees/tree-care-and-resources/how-prune-properly
      5. ↑ https://www.portland.gov/trees/tree-care-and-resources/how-prune-properly
      6. ↑ https://portal.ct.gov/CAES/Fact-Sheets/Plant-Pathology/Pruning-An-Introduction-to-Why-How-and-When
      7. ↑ https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/landscape/proper-pruning-techniques/
      8. ↑ https://extension.okstate.edu/articles/2022/pruning_wintertime.html
      9. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs
      1. ↑ https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/documents/thinning.pdf
      2. ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/resource/water-sprouts-or-suckers-trees/
      3. ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/resource/pruning-trees-home-landscape
      4. ↑ https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1243&title=chainsaw-safety-preventing-common-tree-felling-accidents

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