Drop-crotch Pruning
/DROP-krotch PROO-ning/🌲 Arboriculture●●● Advanced
Also known as: crown reduction pruning, reduction cut
A proper reduction pruning technique where a branch is shortened by cutting back to a lateral branch that is at least one-third the diameter of the branch being removed. The lateral branch must be large enough to assume the terminal role. Drop-crotch pruning is the correct alternative to topping for reducing tree height or spread.
Etymology
English drop + crotch (branch fork) + pruning
Example
“Use drop-crotch pruning to reduce crown spread toward the building — never top the tree.”