Glossary term
What is Branch collar?
Short answer
Branch collar is the slightly swollen ring of tissue at the base of a branch where it joins the trunk or a larger limb.
Branch collar, explained for tree service owners
The branch collar is the ring of raised tissue where a branch meets the trunk. It holds the tree's natural defense that helps close a wound after a cut. A proper pruning cut is made just outside the collar, leaving it in place. Cutting flush with the trunk removes the collar and opens a bigger wound, while leaving a long stub slows healing and can invite decay. For a tree service owner, correct cuts are a mark of good work and a good thing to mention on your website. Homeowners may see old stubs or flush cuts from previous crews, and pointing out the difference is a simple way to show your skill without criticizing anyone.
Related terms
- Branch bark ridge
Branch bark ridge is the raised line of bark on the top of the joint where a branch meets the trunk.
- Compartmentalization
Compartmentalization is a tree's way of walling off a wound so decay stays in one area and does not spread.
- Three-cut method
The three-cut method is the standard way to remove a branch: an undercut, a top cut further out, then a final cut at the branch collar.
- Central leader
A central leader is the single main upright stem that runs up the middle of a tree.
- Scaffold branch
A scaffold branch is one of the main permanent limbs that form the framework of a tree's crown.
- Wound wood
Wound wood is the ring of new tissue a tree grows around a wound to close it over time.
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