How is the proper way to remove a dead, dying, or diseased branch or limb of a tree? It will take three cuts. The first one is to go around 2 feet from the trunk and cut ½ through the underside of the branch.
The second cut is to go a couple of inches up from the first cut and cut down to remove the branch. This technique prevents the bark from ripping down the trunk.
The last cut is to remove the stub. It used to be that the experts wanted the cut to be flush with the trunk. That idea is correct now. You will see a slight outer swelling connecting the trunk to the limb called the collar. The final cut is just outside of this collar creating a slight bump on the trunk. Leaving this collar allows the tree to grow callus tissue quickly over the wound.
The time to start pruning is through March into April until new growth starts.
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