Large limb removal can cause some damage to a tree if you are not careful. As you cut through a limb the weight of that limb as it begins to fall can break through the last third of the limb where it is cut and rip the bark down the side of a tree. Cut large limbs this way…. Leaving the “shoulder” on the trunk will help speed the healing process. Use the 1-2-3 cuts for removing large limbs so that the falling limb does not rip down the side of your tree. This is for limbs that are too heavy to support when you are cutting them. If they can be supported easily then just cut them off leaving the “shoulder”. The first cut is made UPWARD about 8 to 10 inches and between the 2nd and third cuts. Here we are using a cordless reciprocating saw with a pruning blade. The second cut is made DOWNWARD to the outside of the first cut. The weight of the limb falling will cause the wood to spilt before you finish the second cut. It will split down to the first cut. Here you see the wood has split from the second cut (downward and to the outside) to the first cut (upward to the inside of the second cut). The third cut is made downard and removes the stub from the tree. This wound is now left to heal without pruning paint. Make sure all tools are clean and sanitized before pruning.