When pruning is necessary, prune dead and dying branches properly to help the tree heal its branch wounds faster and to reduce the chances for infection that could lead to decay. Using a proper pruning cut will help the tree, while improper pruning only causes the tree more trouble. Serious trouble can result from improper pruning unless you these steps as illustrated:
1. Partially undercut the branch
2. Use and uppercut to remove branch
3. Flush cut the stub
You should always remove a limb using the above three steps. In effect you are making three cuts. You remove the limbs weight in step one and two and remove the stub in step three.
