Cutting Large Branches Off Trees

Cut underneath first then the top to tidy it all up.

Cutting large branches off trees.

An inexpensive and safe way to trim tall trees that are too high to reach. When you cut tree branches you create wounds that can act as open doors for disease. That scarred part of the tree will be there forever sealed off so that the rest of the tree can keep growing. Cutting off large limbs could end up killing the tree.

Does pruning hurt trees. If tree branches are not cut correctly this can be hazardous to its healing process thus resulting in the tree becoming weak and potentially no longer growing. When you cut off a tree branch the tree forms a special callous tissue like a scar that covers over the wound to keep out disease and decay. Most tree branches that are cut back to the trunk or a main branch will require three cuts to prevent damage to the bark.

Once a branch is cut off from the tree the tree forms callus tissue that covers the wound. You can do it yourself without a ladder a lift or a professional. You don t want to go overboard and cut off too many branches. The first two cuts remove the weight from the tree branch and the final cut is designed for the best callus growth.

The last small cut should be about 2 feet from the trunk and the final cut should be 1 to 2 inches. The wound will callous over. If it is a large branch cut it back in sections to avoid the risk of it tearing back into the trunk. This callus tissue acts as a scar that keeps disease and decay out of the tree.