🌳 Essential Techniques for Professional Pruning

/ by Jon Smith / in Blogs

🌳 Essential Techniques for Professional Pruning

This document outlines the key cuts and best practices for structurally sound and healthy pruning, focusing on the preservation of the tree’s natural defense mechanisms.

I. Core Pruning Cuts

Cut Type Objective Technique and Rationale
Heading Cut To shorten a branchand direct future growth. Cut approximately inch above an outward-facing bud at a slight angle. This cut encourages outward growth and maintains the tree’s desired shape.
Thinning Cut To remove an entire branch back to its point of origin. The branch is removed back to the trunk, a larger branch, or a side shoot, ensuring the branch collar remains intact. This opens up the canopy and does not stimulate dense regrowth.
Re-leading Cut (Reduction) To reduce the height or width of the tree/shrub. Directs growth to a strong, well-positioned side branch, effectively reducing the length of the parent branch while maintaining a natural form.

II. The Three-Cut Method (For Large Branches)

This critical three-step process is used for removing large, heavy branches to prevent bark stripping (tearing) on the main trunk.

  1. Undercut: A shallow cut is made on the underside of the branch, a few inches out from the trunk.

  2. Top Cut: The branch is cut off completely beyond the initial undercut, removing the majority of the weight.

  3. Final Cut: The remaining stub is removed by cutting just outside the branch bark ridge and collar, the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk.

III. The Critical Pruning Zone: The Branch Collar

The success of any pruning operation hinges on making the cut in the correct location to facilitate wound closure.

  • Optimal Cutting Location: Always aim to cut just outside the branch bark ridge (a raised line on the upper side of the branch) and the branch collar (the swollen area at the base).

  • Healing Rationale: These tissues contain specialized cells that help the tree form callus tissue to seal the wound.

  • Avoidances:

    • “Flush Cuts”: Cutting too close to the trunk damages the collar, hindering healing and inviting decay.

    • Long Stubs: Leaving stubs hinders the tree’s ability to seal the wound and creates an entry point for pests and pathogens.

IV. General Pruning Best Practices

Area Guideline
Tools Use sharp, clean loppers or saws to ensure clean, precise cuts that minimize tissue damage and promote rapid healing.
Timing For most deciduous trees, the optimal time is during dormancy (late winter or early spring) to minimize stress and sap bleed.
Goal Priority The first priority is to remove dead, diseased, or damaged (the 3 D’s) wood. The second goal is to thin and shape for good structural integrity and light/air penetration.