Winter winds, heavy snow, and extreme temperatures can all impact trees. From icy branches to crackling bark, your plants are prone to seasonal damage. One of the best ways to help prevent hazards from falling branches or cracking limbs is by properly pruning damaged trees.

The right way to prune depends on the current condition of the tree.

• Use the three-cut method to remove heavy broken limbs.
• Use sharp, clean pruning shears to prune smaller broken branches.
• Cable and bracing techniques help support larger limbs that are leaning.
• Shield delicate branches and bark with specialized wrap.

Three-Cut Method

When you’re dealing with a large limb, it’s important to factor in the weight of the branch you’re cutting to prevent additional damage. This pruning method can help.

1. Undercut: Make a small, upward, shallow notch on the underside of the branch, about a foot away from the trunk, to prevent bark from peeling.
2. Top Cut: Cut through the top of the branch, a few inches further away from the undercut, to lighten the limb and allow it to fall without tearing the bark.
3. Final Cut: Make a clean, final cut just outside the branch collar—the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk. Cutting it flush can damage the trunk and leaving a longer stub can cause decay.

The key to pruning is to protect yourself and your plant.

• Wear gloves and safety glasses.
• Avoid using a ladder to reach higher limbs.
• Focus on safety hazards first.
• Make clean cuts without leaving jagged stubs behind.
• Trim torn bark to leave a clean edge for faster healing.
• Avoid over-pruning. Only remove what’s dead or damaged.
• Call a professional for assistance with high branches or trees close to structures and utility lines.

If pruning can wait until later winter or early spring, this promotes faster healing as the tree enters growing season. But any dangerous branches should be removed as soon as possible.