How To Prune Trees

Proper pruning keeps trees healthy, safe, and attractive.

Here’s a step-by-step guide based on expert recommendations...

1. Use the Right Tools

Use sharp, clean bypass pruners for branches under 1 inch, loppers for branches up to 2–3 inches, and pruning saws or chainsaws (by qualified users) for larger branches.

2. Identify What to Remove

Remove dead, diseased, broken, or crossing branches first. Thin crowded areas to improve airflow and light penetration.

3. Make Proper Pruning Cuts

Always cut just outside the branch collar (the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk or another branch). This helps the tree heal quickly and prevents disease.

4. Use the Three-Cut Method for Large Branches

Make a small notch on the underside of the branch, a few inches out from the collar. This prevents bark tearing. Move an inch or two farther out and cut through the branch from the top. The branch will break off cleanly. Remove the remaining stub just outside the branch collar at a slight angle away from the trunk.

5. Types of Pruning

• Crown Thinning: Remove select branches to allow more light and air through the canopy.
• Crown Raising: Remove lower branches to increase clearance.
• Crown Reduction: Shorten branches to reduce tree size, cutting back to a lateral branch.
• Crown Cleaning: Remove dead, diseased, or weak branches.

6. Timing

Light pruning and removal of dead wood can be done anytime. Major pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.

7. Avoid Common Mistakes

Don’t cut flush with the trunk or leave long stubs. Don’t remove more than 25% of the canopy in a single year. Avoid “topping” (cutting main branches back to stubs), which harms tree health.

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