Removing Dead, Dying, and Diseased Branches

Tree branches routinely die and typically generate protection woof in the branch some distance beyond protection zone formed in the collar. Dead branches eventually fall off trees because they break in this protection wood, leaving a dead stub. Removing dead stubs and dead branches is considered a benefitable practice because it allows the the pruning wound to close.

Collars on dead branches can protrude well beyond those on living branches. The removal of the swollen collar growing around the dead branch stub is not recommended to be removed because it contains live trunk wood. Removing the collar opens the trunk to more decay organisms because live wood is exposed