Pruning cuts and big limbs

[Gary Prentice]

BS3998 (p.26) advocates the same in terms of avoiding removal of large branches on mature trees instead "branch shortening" is suggested.

 

Cheers..

Paul

 

That isn't the way I interpret it;

 

Crown lifting should be avoided or minimized in mature or old trees if

possible, since it can increase the probability of stem failure. If it cannot

be avoided, it should preferably involve the removal of secondary

branches or branch shortening rather than removal of branches back to

the stem, provided that the desired clearance can thereby be achieved.

 

I'd define branch shortening as reducing length to a fork.

 

Figure 2, Page 23 appears not to suggest leaving long stubs.

 

Edit, Apologies if I'm misunderstanding your point entirely Paul.