trimming a large branch

[Kevin]

I have a pine that needs trimming near the utilities and it happens to be in a front yard.
The customer prefer I leave as much of the remaining limb as possible.
What cut would you suggest I leave on the end of the branch, slanted or straight?
Does it even matter?

 

[treeclimber165]

I'd cut it straight, just past an appropriate sized offshoot that could take the function of the terminal lead. Even though pines don't usually compartmentalize well, this would give you a better chance of the limb not rotting away from the wound.

 

[Kevin]

Check the attachment Brian.

White, black or blue?

 

[treeclimber165]

Red (Black). The white would leave an angled stub to die off and the blue would cut through the compartmentalization area (I forgot the proper terminology). The blue line would be like flush cutting a limb at the trunk, through the branch collar.

Depending on how much you take the limb back, it may end up dying off anyway. Try to minimize the amount of green you take off. 2-3 small cuts are easier on the tree than one large cut, if possible.

 

[Kevin]

Ok, thanks.
I replaced the red with black so you could see it a little better.

 

[Kevin]

Normally I would take it back but I asked the customer and he said he would rather have some branch left .
I don't want to damage the tree if I can help it.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

If your drawing is to scale (near) then the branch will probably die back anyways.

But since you're doing it before bud break, maybe it will shoot out a lot and live a few years. Most pines don't though.

 

[NeTree]

Ok, but for the most important question: What do you plan to cut the limb with? You mentioned it's near the utilities, but you didn't say which ones or how close. If there is any chance at all of the limb striking a line, make sure you use a CERTFIED insulated tool, like a dialiectric-rated Jamieson pole saw, or the sort.

If anyone's ever wondered, here's the voltages in lines OTHER than "power":

Telephone: about 50 volts "on hook".
Cable TV : 73 volts, at the pole.
Most fire alarm call boxes: about 70 volts.

Remember - all utility lines are "energized conductors".

Keep it safe!

 

[treeclimber165]

Eric,
Your concern is great, but Kevin is probably more qualified to work around wires than any of us. I believe he maintains a large section of lines up in Canada, keeping them clear and repairing breaks. In this case you may be preaching to the preacher.

 

[Kevin]

I'm a cable repairman and do line clearance in our boreal jungle but this pine is in front of a house, my skills as an arborist are limited, I don't want to damage this tree too much if I can help it.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

So your an arboreal lineman

 

[NeTree]

Kevin,
I did line clearance before I started my own business. God bless you.... I don't miss it a bit (mostly cuz of Ice Storm '98).

Take care