Question

Tree   Hi Jim,

We have this young tree (I think it's West Indies Mahogany), and I've been recommended by a neighbor to cut off the secondary branch that's growing low from the trunk (pic attached). What do you think about that suggestion? Does it bear some reason? What are the pros and cons of leaving the branch?

Thanks in advance,

Rick

Answer
This is what is called a low fork branch. It will have a good chance of breaking off in high winds when the tree gets older. It should have been cut off when the tree was younger but it is not too late. I would wait until the winter when the tree is dormant. This will keep the tree from oozing sap and attracting insects like a borer. When you do cut it off start about a foot or so up the fork so the weight of the branch will not split the bark of the trunk. Then you can cut the foot stub off about a 1/4 of an inch from the trunk. This will leave the branch collar of cells and the wound will heal over faster, I would make the last cut slanted with the trunk so water will not collect on the stub. You will see some lopsided look to the foliage (crown) at first but the tore will fill this in fairly quickly.If the fork is left you risk it breaking during a storm and damaging the tree.