Three quick steps leave a clean cut.
1 of 1
The three-cut process
This method of pruning leaves a clean cut.
Prune midsize branches without damaging
the tree by cutting them in three
stages. Make the first cut (1) on the
underside about 8 in. from the trunk,
cutting a third of the way up. Make
the next cut (2) at the top of the
branch 3 in. past the first cut.
Finally, cut the remaining
stump off at the trunk, just past
the slightly raised area, called
the branch bark ridge,
making the cut perpendicular
to the branch
to minimize the exposed
surface.
