Getting a nice clean cut on branches?

[cuboid]

Been cutting a gum tree down with saw on extension pole and bark seems to rip down the side. How do you get a nice clean cut?


Separate question, is there any technique in cutting a tree or bringing the height down. I've just been cutting to a certain height.

 

[JohnD]

Been cutting a gum tree down with saw on extension pole and bark seems to rip down the side. How do you get a nice clean cut?

You start by cutting from the underside of the limb, sawing upwards. When the saw binds too much, start another cut, from the top of the branch, but a few inches further away from the trunk. Any tearing will stop when it reaches the cut on the underside. It's not just bark, also living fibres. Messy wounds are prone to introduce infection and rot.

After the branch is cut through and falls away, you can cut off the few inches remaining, they will have no significant weight so you can hold it steady with your hand and it will not tear away. So leave enough of a stump to hold safely.

Angle the final cut to prevent water falling or lying on the cut surface, and make it smooth and flat.

 

[cuboid]

You start by cutting from the underside of the limb, sawing upwards. When the saw binds too much, start another cut, from the top of the branch, but a few inches further away from the trunk. Any tearing will stop when it reaches the cut on the underside. It's not just bark, also living fibres. Messy wounds are prone to introduce infection and rot.

After the branch is cut through and falls away, you can cut off the few inches remaining, they will have no significant weight so you can hold it steady with your hand and it will not tear away. So leave enough of a stump to hold safely.

Angle the final cut to prevent water falling or lying on the cut surface, and make it smooth and flat.

Great tips. Using wolf system saw at moment but thinking of getting Pruning saw for my combi kit

 

[cuboid]

Brought the height of these trees down. I guess there's no particular technique when doing this

 

[endecotp]

Been cutting a gum tree

Gum = Eucalyptus

is there any technique in cutting a tree or bringing the height down.

The RHS website should be the first place you look for this sort of question. For example, here is their page about pruning eucalyptus:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=136