Pruning and Training - Growing Organic Orchard Fruits - page 576

dressing to cuts. Such materials can actually slow the development of new
bark across wounds. When you are removing large branches, use the three-
cut method illustrated in figure12.3 ➔ to prevent tearing the bark below the
cut.
FIGURE 12.2
Preferred Method of Cutting Off a Branch at the Trunk
ABOVE: Cut to the outside of the swelling at the base of the branch. Cut-
ting flush with the trunk increases the risk of infection and tree death.
Avoid leaving a stub, with the exceptions of certain pruning cuts on sweet
cherry and plum and when heading back water sprouts to leave some
shade on exposed limbs. Exceptions are described in the text.
When two branches or a branch and trunk develop with a very narrow angle
between them, problems result. Bark will continue to form between the two