Neighborly Advice About Tree Care


Wide angled limb joints are much stronger and less likely to split under wind or ice loads. Prune limbs forming narrow angles. For medium and large limbs use the 3 cut method: 1) One foot from the trunk, saw 1/3 through the limb form below, 2) about 1 inch farther from trunk, saw off limb from above, 3) final cut at branch bark collar near trunk, leaving no stub.

For expert advice or help with high or large limbs, try those listed in the phone book under Tree Service.

For detailed do-it-yourself instructions request "Caring For Your Established Shade Trees", Guide Sheet A 1817 from the Extension Service at 266-4619 or check the Public, UW or MATC libraries for books like: Pruning and Grafting (631.542 A142), How to Prune Almost Everything, (631.542 B34), The Care and Feeding of Trees, (634.956 M97).

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