Question about trimming dead limbs

[psmith0803]

I've been doing a fair amount of research before I begin a couple of larger trimming projects for me and a friend. I think I have a good grasp on where and how to trim the live limbs but I'm not sure on dead ones. If a limb has died and the branch collar is extended along ways down the limb because it can't close up (sense the dead limb is in the way) once I cut the dead limb where do I cut the branch collar? Do I trim the dead limb flush with the extended branch collar or trim it back closer to the truck over a few inches?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[beastmaster]

Cut back as far as you can with out cutting the live wood. The branch at this point has compartmentalized around the dead limb. If you were to cut it off at the branch collar now, you'd just be opening another wound. Sometimes in the real world, a Costumer might complain if the cuts in plain sight, because it doesn't look pretty. That's a judgement call you'll have to make at the time.
Just remember the bigger the cut, the bigger the wound, the bigger the wound, the harder and longer it takes to heal, if it ever does. Some trees it doesn't matter that much, but others it can be the beginning of the end.The damage can take years to manifest it's self. Hope this helps

 

[psmith0803]

That makes perfect sense, most of these are very large oak trees. I doubt it will matter a ton but might as well do it right the first time around.

Now I just need to find some better info on tying blocks on and using lower devices. There are just a few branches that will need to come down slow.

 

[Raintree]

It's best to error on leaving too much than cutting too close.

 

[Youngbuck20]

Trimming ----> Pruning. if you cut off that branch collar its called a flush cut which is bad bad bad. just cut the dead branch off at the collar without cutting it and if anyone says it look ugly tell them you could flush cut it, kill their tree and charge them for the next 5-10 years for pruning off all the other branches that die before the whole tree does

 

[beastmaster]

The thing that kind of fools ya on old dead branches is the healing wood(for lack of a better word)sometimes goes out way past the branch collar, its not a true branch collar like the books discribe. You have to cut past the branch collar to where the last of the live wood goes around the dead branch.

 

[NCTREE]

Yeah don't do this,this is a bad cut it should of been cut in front of the callus wood of the branch collar

 

[Carburetorless]

It's better to leave a little extra than to cut off too much.

Here's one some landscraper who was working at a house next to one of my jobs did. It's a small Hickory, the guy tried to cut it off with a pair of hand shears, but it was too tough for them, so he started trying to twist it off(believe it or not), then he used a utility knife to finish it off.

I held my tongue for as long as I could, but finally I asked the other guy who was with him who they worked for, turns out they work for someone I know. I asked him if he teaches them to do stuff like that, then he blamed it on the new guy saying that the new guy hadn't been there long enough to learn anything, then he went back to doing what he was doing and never bothered to show the new guy his screw up.

He should have used a 1&1/2" lopper or at least a prunning saw.

I ended up talking with the HO and offering to fix it for free, but after closer examination there's not much that could be done after the hacking it got from the landscrapers.

Good news is they want me to start taking care of their trees. All's well that ends well.

 

[psmith0803]

That is all great information, thanks.