What pruning technique helps avoid significant damage by ensuring proper cuts around the branch collar?

The three-cut method is an effective pruning technique designed to prevent damage to the tree during the removal of a branch. This method involves making three specific cuts to ensure that the branch is removed cleanly and minimizes injury to the branch collar, which is the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk.

The first cut is made on the underside of the branch, about 6 to 12 inches away from the trunk, and is deep enough to prevent the bark from tearing as the branch falls. The second cut is made from the top of the branch further out, which allows the weight of the branch to naturally split and fall away. Finally, the third cut is made to remove the stub that remains next to the trunk, cutting just outside the branch collar. This last cut is crucial as it allows the tree to heal properly and reduces the risk of disease entering through the wound.

Using this technique properly conserves the integrity of the branch collar and encourages the tree's natural healing processes, making it a preferred method among arborists and landscape professionals when pruning branches.