(Go Back)Proper Pruning Cuts

Be careful when pruning a tree, because trees get much of their nutrients from the leaves and branches through photosynthesis. Cutting off a branch is cutting off part of the tree's food supply. Cut off enough and the tree starves and dies.

The best rule of thumb is to never remove more than a fourth of the live foliage.

What you do remove usually falls into one of three categories: Dead or diseased branches, branches that are rubbing against each other, creating an open wound; and broken branches.

Pruning is usually done for one or more of these reasons:

• Cleaning - general removal of up to 25 percent of live foliage
• Thinning - selective pruning to reduce the density of live branches
• Raising - near roads to "raise" the limbs
• Reduction - decrease the height or the spread of the tree.

You might do well by consulting a professional tree service. Ask your friends for referrals. Get estimates from several and ask them for references.