Neighbor asked if I would take a couple of limbs off of his tree. I don't have a lot of experience with this. Any advice? Do I put something on the newly cut part, paint, tar, etc...?
How high up? Undercut the limb away from the tree and cut 6-8inches away from the tree on top. Offset cuts Then make finish cuts at the bark scar (don't cut flush with the trunk) No sealers should be needed. Don't prune Oak's this time of year - oak wilt and other diseases
I had to take a big limb off a nice ash in my yard. I read that those tar, paint crap is well, crap and actually worse for the tree. Just don't cut the branches off too close. You can see where you need to cut. I used this site as a guide. http://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-trim-large-tree-branches/
Better done when dormant but always leave the limb's bark collar intact with nothing extra protruding from it. That will lead to the best scarring over the wound by the tree. I was a tree guy long before I became a firewood guy and pruning cuts should always be made that way. As basod said, you start by unloading the area of the cut and then make a final cut at the collar.
