I have a large pine tree in my front yard, and on the street side
there are two largish limbs growing maybe 2-3 feet from the ground.
On the away-from-street side the first limb starts at maybe 4-5 feet
up the trunk, though of course it bends down some with the weight of
the foliage. The tree seems quite healthy -- the needles are fairly
soft and there are no brown patches anyway.

I'd like to trim away those two low limbs. Not only would the tree
look more symmetrical, but I'd be able to mow the grass under it
without banging my head on it.

Do I need a tree surgeon for this, or can I simply saw off the limbs
without doing any damage to the tree? If it's safe to saw the limbs,
should the cuts be coated with anything?

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com
Shikata ga nai...

On Mon, 12 May 2008 06:52:39 -0400, Stan Brown wrote:

I have a large pine tree in my front yard, and on the street side
there are two largish limbs growing maybe 2-3 feet from the ground.
On the away-from-street side the first limb starts at maybe 4-5 feet
up the trunk, though of course it bends down some with the weight of
the foliage. The tree seems quite healthy -- the needles are fairly
soft and there are no brown patches anyway.

I'd like to trim away those two low limbs. Not only would the tree
look more symmetrical, but I'd be able to mow the grass under it
without banging my head on it.

Do I need a tree surgeon for this, or can I simply saw off the limbs
without doing any damage to the tree? If it's safe to saw the limbs,
should the cuts be coated with anything?

I've trimmed conifer lower branches with no problems to the tree and it is
common in my area for people to do this. If they are big branches, you
may wish to apply ordinary paint to the tree where you cut the branch off
but that probably isn't necessary.

On May 12, 3:52 am, Stan Brown wrote:
I have a large pine tree in my front yard, and on the street side
there are two largish limbs growing maybe 2-3 feet from the ground.
On the away-from-street side the first limb starts at maybe 4-5 feet
up the trunk, though of course it bends down some with the weight of
the foliage. The tree seems quite healthy -- the needles are fairly
soft and there are no brown patches anyway.

I'd like to trim away those two low limbs. Not only would the tree
look more symmetrical, but I'd be able to mow the grass under it
without banging my head on it.

Do I need a tree surgeon for this, or can I simply saw off the limbs
without doing any damage to the tree? If it's safe to saw the limbs,
should the cuts be coated with anything?

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com
Shikata ga nai...

You don't say how big those lower limbs are. The larger they are, the
more likely they are to split as you cut.
First, make a cut from the bottom side, about 1/4 of the way through
the limb. This will prevent the limb from splitting longitudinally.
Don't go so far as to pinch the saw.
Then you can make a cut from the top. The limb will crack between the
two cuts, but it won't split.

I THINK painting on a pine is optional. On some tree species, you
have to paint immediately to prevent diseases. I don't know of any
harm done by painting anyway.

On May 17, 12:51*am, wrote:
On May 12, 3:52 am, Stan Brown wrote:





I have a large pine tree in my front yard, and on the street side
there are two largish limbs growing maybe 2-3 feet from the ground.
On the away-from-street side the first limb starts at maybe 4-5 feet
up the trunk, though of course it bends down some with the weight of
the foliage. The tree seems quite healthy -- the needles are fairly
soft and there are no brown patches anyway.

I'd like to trim away those two low limbs. Not only would the tree
look more symmetrical, but I'd be able to mow the grass under it
without banging my head on it.

Do I need a tree surgeon for this, or can I simply saw off the limbs
without doing any damage to the tree? If it's safe to saw the limbs,
should the cuts be coated with anything?

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *http://OakRoadSystems.com
Shikata ga nai...

You don't say how big those lower limbs are. *The larger they are, the
more likely they are to split as you cut.
First, make a cut from the bottom side, about 1/4 of the way through
the limb. *This will prevent the limb from splitting longitudinally.
Don't go so far as to pinch the saw.
Then you can make a cut from the top. *The limb will crack between the
two cuts, but it won't split.

I THINK painting on a pine is optional. *On some tree species, you
have to paint immediately to prevent diseases. *I don't know of any
harm done by painting anyway.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Local arborist here (Eastern Newfoundland, Canada) says unnecessary
to paint branch cut offs on trees here. So have never done so and they
heal over nicely after a few years.
Species here include, fir, spruce, pine, maple, birch, dog-berry
(Mountain Ash), also beech not originally native, oaks, something
called 'juniper' but is actually something else, whispering larch and
other more exotic.

On May 12, 3:52 am, Stan Brown wrote:

I have a large pine tree in my front yard, ...

I'd like to trim away those two low limbs. ...

Do I need a tree surgeon for this, or can I simply saw off the limbs
without doing any damage to the tree? If it's safe to saw the limbs,
should the cuts be coated with anything?

Belated thanks to those who responded. I appreciate the advice to
cut underneath first, and the assurance that covering the stump is
not necessary.

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com
Shikata ga nai...

On May 26, 6:33 pm, Stan Brown wrote:
On May 12, 3:52 am, Stan Brown wrote:
I have a large pine tree in my front yard, ...

I'd like to trim away those two low limbs. ...

Do I need a tree surgeon for this, or can I simply saw off the limbs
without doing any damage to the tree? If it's safe to saw the limbs,
should the cuts be coated with anything?

Belated thanks to those who responded. I appreciate the advice to
cut underneath first, and the assurance that covering the stump is
not necessary.

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com
Shikata ga nai...

Painting the wound depends on the area.
In Texas, they have an oak wilt disease that attacks the very popular--
and prevalent--live oak trees. According to some, only a few hours of
exposure can result in an infection.
If you are in an area without a problem, or a tree that is not
susceptible, you are good to go!

Wed, 28 May 2008 19:35:14 -0700 (PDT) from :
On May 26, 6:33 pm, Stan Brown wrote:
On May 12, 3:52 am, Stan Brown wrote:
I have a large pine tree in my front yard, ...

I'd like to trim away those two low limbs. ...

Do I need a tree surgeon for this, or can I simply saw off the limbs
without doing any damage to the tree? If it's safe to saw the limbs,
should the cuts be coated with anything?

Belated thanks to those who responded. I appreciate the advice to
cut underneath first, and the assurance that covering the stump is
not necessary.

Painting the wound depends on the area.
In Texas, they have an oak wilt disease that attacks the very popular--
and prevalent--live oak trees. According to some, only a few hours of
exposure can result in an infection.

I called the local Cooperative Extension (following advice I got
here), and they said in my area there is no need to paint the tree.
Just make a clean cut as close to the "collar" as possible, on the
side away from the trunk, and leave it alone.

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com
Shikata ga nai...