Thinning refers to removing a limb or shoot at its point of origin along an older branch. Make heading cuts selectively to reduce shrub height and retain natural form. There are two basic types of pruning cuts: heading cuts, and thinning cuts. Back Cut . Avoid making flush cuts as this will cut into the actual growth layer of the tree and prevent proper healing. With different definitions, pruning involves getting rid of plant parts to enhance the health, impact, landscape, or value of the plant. There are several ways to make a face cut, but the most basic method uses one downward angled cut that meets a separate horizontal cut, forming a wedge. Making Bad Cuts. Pruning Rules. Be sure that the cut you are making is at a 45 degree angle so that water does not pool on the open wound to the tree, preventing the wound to properly heal. Control the spread of disease by properly disposing of all problematic limbs/branches after pruning. Heading cuts stimulate growth of buds closest to the wound. The first types of cut used to fell trees are a pair of cuts designed to control the rate and direction of the tree's fall. For example, here are some of the most common types of bad cuts that you should look out for when getting your tree pruned. Make clean, smooth cuts making sure to not leave stubs but keep the branch collar intact. Here are the tree pruning mistakes that you should avoid. Use only use disease-free mulches or compost. During declining years, pruning's emphasis shifts to promoting vigor and allowing maximum sunlight to penetrate the tree canopy. Reduction and thinning cuts are the proper type of cut to use in pruning a live tree. Just like any other skill, pruning requires knowing what you are doing to achieve success. A heading cut trims a branch back to a bud, or trims a branch or leader back to a small branch not large enough to assume the growth of the pruned branch. 8 Different Types of Pruning Techniques And Cuts. Keep it healthy. That applies regardless of the time of year you are pruning, or the type of tree you are working on. The back cut is the second type of cut, made after the face cut is complete. Types of pruning cuts. Keep these rules in mind when deciding to prune. You can also show these tips to your tree pruning expert and request them to avoid these mistakes as well. There are two types of pruning cuts, "heading" and "thinning". Reduction cuts on larger branches can be referred to as drop crotch pruning. There are lots of bad cuts that can affect your tree badly. The direction in which the top remaining bud is pointing will determine the direction of new growth. The sad truth is that more trees are dying every year from improper pruning.