The
branch collar is the point where a branch joins the trunk
or another branch. This is the area the arborist chooses to
make a proper cut.
The
wrinkles in the branch collar are the tree’s first line
of defense against the invasion of micro-organisms. The final
cut should be made just outside these wrinkles.
In
good pruning technique, a surgical cut preserves the branch
collar, and should be made square to the diameter of the stem.
This produces the smallest theoretical wound. If a cut is
made on the diagonal, it creates a larger oval sloping cut,
which is much harder for the wound to heal.
A
large branch should be dismantled from the tip back. This
method takes the weight off the branch and greatly reduces
the possibility of tearing the bark and creating a more egregious
wound. The finished cut is then made just outside the branch
collar.
