trunk on the underside of the branch you want to remove. Cut only 1/3 of the way through the branch. The purpose of this cut is not to remove the branch but to prevent a tear in the bark running back to the tree and damaging the branch collar or trunk wood. About 5 cm further out from your first cut, saw right through the branch, starting on its upper side. You've now removed the bulk of the branch and any tearing caused by its weight has been contained by your first cut. Now you can trim the remaining branch stub by making a third cut parallel to the trunk and just outside the branch collar. As there is very little weight in the stub there should be no risk of tearing. Tool Care Infections and diseases are easily spread to other trees by infected pruning tools. After pruning any tree, disinfect your pruning tools with a weak solution of bleach and water, then rinse and dry before moving on to another tree. Related Businesses Hawkes Bay Tree Surgeons Ltd is a locally owned and operated company providing specialist Arboricultural contracting and consultancy services to local bodies and private customers since 1982. Our professional affiliations include an active membership to the New Zealand Arboricultural Association (NZAA) and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Stephen Shaw, our Consulting Arborist, has over 15 years experience within the industry and possesses relevant NZQA qualifications, as do all our Arborists. - Hawkes Bay Tree