How to Cut a Tree Branch Properly

Рет қаралды 346,412

Күн бұрын

Mature trees are an investment. So when pruning a branch, it's important to make the right cuts to ensure you're protecting the ongoing health of the tree. Joe Lamp'l, host of Emmy Award-winning Growing a Greener World demonstrates the key steps.
There’s MUCH more great garden info from Joe Lamp’l of joegardenerTV - including Joe's Online Gardening Academy (joegardener.com/learn) and links to The joe gardener Show weekly podcast series (joegardener.com/podcasts), garden blogs (joegardener.com/blog) and e-book resource guides to teach you everything you need to know about composting (joegardener.com/resources) and more.
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Joe Lamp’l, the “joe” behind joe gardener is the creator, host and executive producer of public television’s Growing a Greener World. Watch episodes of his Emmy Award-winning show on our sister channel, GGWTV ( / ggwtv .

Пікірлер: 111

@wiesbadengera1 4 жыл бұрын

woo hoo...somebody knows how to make a crystal clear detailed video. how refreshing!!

@jenniferlego4221 2 жыл бұрын

First time home buyer. Subscribed.

@therealbacaboo Жыл бұрын

Thank you. I’m glad I watched this and I’m glad you made it. Undercut! 😁 👍

@ReinisJaunais 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you. This helps

@elijahbey3366 2 ай бұрын

Excellent. Nice, short, and to the point. This cutting technique worked perfect for me.

@joegardenerTV Ай бұрын

Great to hear! Thanks.

@blknmild2004 11 ай бұрын

It worked exactly how you said it would, thanks for the tip 👍

@joegardenerTV 11 ай бұрын

Great to hear! Thanks for the feedbck!

@KayBeeStew Жыл бұрын

What happens of I leave the approx 1' of branch on the tree for future climbing steps? I want to slowly take down a large pine tree in my hard and need a way to get to the top. Great video!

@paulnavara7127 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! Thanks!

@mooserider1 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Joe!

@gore1 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for keeping this short and sweet.

@johnmccourt000 4 жыл бұрын

Good video. What kind of saw is that?

@ziggyhuys 5 жыл бұрын

Nice, very clear instructions and straight to the point, yet also telling why you do it this way, way to go!

@joegardenerTV 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@PartyStud69_Ph.D. 4 жыл бұрын

This was a perfect video, thanks for making it.

@kee1zhang769 Жыл бұрын

great advise, thanks

@joegardenerTV 11 ай бұрын

You bet!

@irinasonkina5168 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, mister handyman!

@broodyking 4 ай бұрын

Thank you sir! using all of yours advice I successfully cut down a fair bit of branches/limbs that I wanted gone and it turned out great. No wounds left for pests/diseases and a nice cut close to the trunk, left the cut alone for natural healing. All the best.

@joegardenerTV 4 ай бұрын

That’s great news! So glad that was helpful to you. Thanks for letting me know. 👍

@ificandoityoucandoit.862 Жыл бұрын

Do you have to cut the whole limb off? Down to the truck. Can this technique be used further out where the limb branches off again? Just to make the limb shorter and not remove it completely.

@StayPrimal Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much ! We live in such a weird society that they tell us to paint with chemical the wound of trees. Unbelievable. Soon they will tell us to drink paint to heal from cold. I'm glad I found your video.

@josephpostma1787 10 ай бұрын

More like soon they will tell us to bandage our wounds and put an antibacterial chemical on the wound.

@richhoops2413 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. I "liked" it. Woukd you recommend dressing an oak tree? I've heard that those are pretty much the only type in my area that shoukd be. Wanted your recommendation. Thanks again. I was the 1000th like. That's a first...lol

@matthewhughes3538 4 жыл бұрын

Not bad, don't forget to undercut ALL branches... You never know when the branch will fall and strip more bark than intended... Undercutting will prevent it

@xorbodude 2 жыл бұрын

Learned this the hard way. It split down the middle of the trunk

@gregblackburn4280 Жыл бұрын

@@xorbodude Had the same thing happen once. However, in my case, no problemo as I was cutting the tree down anyway but it was a great learning experience.

@digi-i 4 жыл бұрын

"brought to you by Corona" Well that aged well :D

@bobbybologna3029 4 жыл бұрын

hahaha

@deepakrajotia8926 4 жыл бұрын

@Jake Simon ..... What do you mean.... Please explain

@AlessioSangalli 4 жыл бұрын

@katelynn stewart I do not think one should climb trees after they had too much beer

@CurlyFromTheSwirly 2 жыл бұрын

Don't put Corona on the tree wound. 😹

@sara.cbc92 2 жыл бұрын

what do i use to cut smaller branches but thicker than 3 inches?

@arinrobinson 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for posting this. I am still confused by the first cut though. I understand the second is to take off the excess weight that can introduce damage to a potential natural healing process but the first cut would seem unnecessary as it is applied to something that is coming off all together. I guess I need to look at that process again.

@camgere 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video. This often called the three cut method. The first undercut is a foot or two away from the trunk about 1/3 of the way through the branch. (The bottom of the horizontal branch is in compression and the top of the branch is in tension (expansion). Compression can trap your saw. Start with the compression cut and end with the tension cut.) The second cut from the top is further out from the trunk than the undercut. It should drop the limb, with possible splitting back to the undercut. The undercut stops the splitting on the bottom of the limb. The third cut from the top is close to the trunk (collar). It is a Goldilocks distance from the trunk. Not too close, not too far. His saw looks much like a Jameson Barracuda pruning saw. It is an awesome saw. I have cut hundreds of branches without needing to re-sharpen. On palm fronds more like a thousand. Happy tree trimming!

@CurlyFromTheSwirly 2 жыл бұрын

@@camgere 😴💤

@vshazam 2 жыл бұрын

If you skip the first cut, when you make the second cut the limb will start falling before you saw all the way through the bark along the bottom of the limb. That uncut bark will peel down the remainder of the limb attached to the trunk, and possibly continue peeling down the trunk itself. Then you wouldn't be able to make that clean final cut and your tree will be more susceptible to disease and all. The first cut on the bottom creates a cut off point where the bark will stop peeling.

@kingsman8475 Жыл бұрын

What if the branch is dead--do you still do the under cut???

@thanatos7301 3 жыл бұрын

when tree branches and limb cut.will it ever grow back?

@gatorr4life 3 жыл бұрын

so knowledgeable on all things tree cutting. How does one get into that profession?

@MisterWealth 3 жыл бұрын

Arborist

@brittnyrv5087 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful vid thanks!!!

@The-Flick-Show 7 ай бұрын

What kind of saw do you recommend? What about if the branch is higher than your ladder?

@joegardenerTV 7 ай бұрын

I like the pruning saws that Corona Tools offers. You can find them at both Lowes and Home Depot I think, or online at coronatoolsusa.com (I think). They have fixed blade saws and ones where the blades fold back into the handle. I like that style a lot because I can safely carry it around and it's more compact. If the branch is higher then your ladder, I use a pole saw. And the one I have is also from Corona. I bought at Home Depot for about $129. Really well made!

@rb67mustang 3 ай бұрын

1:49, I know this video is 5 Years Old. What if the branch being removed is dead and it's pointing more upward than straight out the side of the tree? Would this be a time when the cut area should be sealed? I'll try to find a more recent video to ask the same question.

@joegardenerTV 2 ай бұрын

Timing of the video information doesn’t change the answer. Artificially sealing a cut or wound prevents the natural healing the tree is able to do. Sealing it can prevent that. It’s something we do because we think it will help. It seems like a good idea but it’s not a recommended practice by arborists.

@wizardsuth 2 жыл бұрын

Why is the first cut so far back from the second? Why not make it an inch away, or even better directly aligned with the second cut so you don't need to cut as much?

@nickthegardener.1120 Жыл бұрын

Because if you go too close you risk damaging the the branch too close to the trunk. It’s a tried and tested method.👍🏻

@rohan4600 2 жыл бұрын

Saw you are using can cut green wood? i mean tree you are cutting looks dry, so will it stuck in green wood or cut it as same as dry wood?

@MMMmyshawarma Жыл бұрын

Corona 10" folding saw, the best hand saw on the market. Cuts anything wood.

@juliof9670 4 жыл бұрын

Mmmnice every day we learn something new inlike that

@evadeuhan7574 2 күн бұрын

Can I ask why you make the first two cuts if you just end up cutting behind them anyways?

@joegardenerTV Күн бұрын

If you don’t make the first under cut out from the trunk, an overcut only will cause the weight of the branch to fall down before you complete the cut. The branch will take bark with it that is still attached to the tree and sheer it away from the trunk, leaving a potentially large exposed wound that will invite insect pests and diseases.

@DennisSimshaeuser Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Joe. No glue for me. And, leave that little nub so nothing gets into the trunk. Tree is not supposed to be perfect. But, healthy. Plus, character!

@zaypeaceIslamstories 4 жыл бұрын

What's the name of that saw you using and can you use a big 22 saw instead to do all that

@isthisevencontent3344 4 жыл бұрын

How would I cut smaller branches that are leaning towards the ground, like if you make a circle touching the tip of your pointer to the tip of your thumb is how big it is.

@jordancomeaux3758 4 жыл бұрын

Is This Even Content cut it all the way back to whatever it’s growing off of. Cut it flush to what it’s growing off of. No undercut necessary

@dreamsroman Жыл бұрын

What tool is he using in the video

@5volts440 2 жыл бұрын

Quick question sir. Why don't we use an electric saw?

@stereodisaster 3 жыл бұрын

Can anybody plz explain me the diff. between a tree branch and a limb? Nice greetings from europe.

@dubiouslycrisp 2 жыл бұрын

They are synonyms. Either one can be large or small. I live in USA and English is my first language.

@quest9343 3 жыл бұрын

cut down a limb ran in the house check out if i should put something on it and ...BAM!! the answer....thanks

@gardnerhappy2114 5 жыл бұрын

Should you seal the wound on fruit trees?

@alisonvaughan9169 Жыл бұрын

What is this tool called

@shaun9407 8 ай бұрын

Why do you need the undercut ofllof you're cutting the branch off anyway?

@joegardenerTV 8 ай бұрын

So that when you make the outer cut (beyond the undercut), when the weight of the branch causes it to break away before you've cut all the way thorugh it, the underbark won't be taken with it and strip away bark from the branch that continues onto the trunk. You are eliminating the risk of the bark stripping off bark from the trunk, which exposes it to pests and diseases as I explain in the video.

@tyranusmaul 2 жыл бұрын

Starts at 0:35

@Bangkok-ik1fp 2 жыл бұрын

WTH?? Here in South Texas all the literature the county sends out says to immediately cover or dress the wound. What's the proper thing to do?

@thisismagacountry1318 2 жыл бұрын

They're worried about spreading elm disease across Texas. I only stop for the best.

@masonfarley640 3 жыл бұрын

That process is known as compartmentalization

@JamesEdington 4 жыл бұрын

What about a saws all?

@jbidnezz101 3 жыл бұрын

I made all the wrong cuts and now getting evicted for destruction of property...😥

@MalluStyleMultiMedia Жыл бұрын

Using a regular saw is hard work .. I’ve used it though many times .. now I use an electric chainsaw

@joegardenerTV 11 ай бұрын

It is for sure, but I like the precision and control, and safety of the pruning saw.

@peteranserin3708 2 жыл бұрын

Your logo is a trowel but honestly it looks like you are giving the finger to everyone. 😆You didn't notice that?

@dreamsroman Жыл бұрын

The tool is he using in this video

@ZE308AC 4 жыл бұрын

Mother nature's got it under control

@penihavir1777 3 жыл бұрын

Tree trimming: For the health of the trees you like, you need to do this when trimming branches. Otherwise the trees you trim could become diseased and die. You can still have the dramatic crash, without damaging the tree. * 1st Cut: about 25-50 cm from where you want your final cut, (50 cm for big branches). Start from the bottom, and only cut about half way up. * 2nd Cut: 15-30 cm beyond the first cut (further from the trunk), cut all the way through (crash! 😁). * Final Cut: Parallel to the flare around the branch (the thicker ’collar’ at the trunk), cut off the remaining stub cleanly and smoothly. Don’t remove the flare/collar - this will grow over and disappear as the tree grows, but the branch needs the collar to heal properly. * Also, take care of your saw - wash it in bleach water (and then dry the saw), so that you don’t transfer any diseases from one tree/shrub to another. I foolishly didn’t follow this step constantly (with a pruning sheers) and lost my favorite shrub, which had taken 10 years to mature to full glory. 😭 Don’t learn my lesson the hard way. I know that you mean well, and that you wish to be entertaining, but please do these extra tree trimming steps to take care of the life of your trees.

@mengx94 Жыл бұрын

What if the tree is already dead or leaning over

@mistermycology1411 4 жыл бұрын

Used this video exactly 2 months ago now all 3 trees are dead. Great advice...

@kajekage9410 Жыл бұрын

no way bark would have ripped all the way back to trunk though.

@joegardenerTV 11 ай бұрын

Not when you make the undercut first. That's why you do that first cut.

@comacuma2869 Жыл бұрын

U hav shed own beauty ,meanwhile talking how vigorously ornamented beech trees arre

@anceann5271 2 жыл бұрын

just a tip. dont cut branches from a ladder.

@codprocamp4690 3 жыл бұрын

0:18 Covid

@treemands 2 жыл бұрын

Nearly EVERYTHING is WRONG in this video. Holding with one arm and cutting with another is wrong and dangerous. The TOP cut should be made right ON TOP of the BOTTOM cut and made with a chainsaw (by a pro). You can see all the trouble this guy had in getting the branch to detach. If you make a cut beyond the bottom cut quite often the saw will be caught in the cut and when it detaches the saw will be torn out of your hand. He left too long of a stub and will create the same situation he wanted to avoid with the first cut he made. To remove a small/short final cut stub and get no tear down is proper. No mention of branch bark ridge and natural target pruning. 165,000 people have become mis informed.

@Froggy123ABC Ай бұрын

Thank you for letting me know 😯

@coredadventure1 17 күн бұрын

Why are you watching this video if you already know

@ourpresidentswallows6017 2 жыл бұрын

Hey buddy they make chainsaws. It’s 2022

@JohnnytNatural 2 жыл бұрын

Seems like a chainsaw right to the 3rd cut would solve the problem quicker

@reallypeppers 3 жыл бұрын

First off you should never be doing tree work from a ladder.

@CurlyFromTheSwirly 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, you should hire a 7'10" person or buy expensive equipment. 🙄

@thisismagacountry1318 2 жыл бұрын

They make arborist ladders

@nicholassmith5910 Жыл бұрын

Makes no sense to make the second cut beyond the under cut , The bark gets pulled as happened. Why is he cutting the branch so close to the trunk ,

@CurlyFromTheSwirly 2 жыл бұрын

I'm not a gardener, but what a waste of time.

@user-mo8gw9om1z 3 жыл бұрын

This video is horrible how dare you harm this tree and about made me puke and made me uneasy on my stomach seeing you with that Blade on an innocent tree

@user-gu9es4jp8f 2 ай бұрын

Top shouldn’t be that far away from the bottom so you start off with poor information right from the start

@joegardenerTV 2 ай бұрын

Please cite you cite your source for your comment. My training mirrors what I demonstrated.

@user-gu9es4jp8f 2 ай бұрын

Bc has some of the best arboriculture schools in North America While you’re top cut should be ahead of you’re bottom cut the amount you suggested was ridiculous the purpose of the undercut is to prevent peeling past the cut and stripping bark down the bole of the tree If you can’t get the simple steps right you maybe aren’t ready to tell others how to do the work

@ohiomp7606 Ай бұрын

The overall concept of what he’s saying is perfectly acceptable, maybe a little bit on the extra cautious side but is a couple inch difference really worth a correction when either way doesn’t change the final result nor decrease efficiency? Also, he’s not talking to professional arborists with years of training and on the job experience. He’s talking to lay people that are trying to save a buck, a couple extra inches of bark ripping down to the first cut isn’t going to change anything.

@user-gu9es4jp8f Ай бұрын

The short distance between cuts is so it doesn’t hinge and swing (more so in large diameter branches ) Uncontrolled swings lead to dead people on the ground