A. Techniques consistent with the practices of natural, lateral and drop crotch shall be utilized. All limbs shall be pruned back to the lateral. The lateral point shall be a minimum often fifteen feet from all distribution lines and transmission lines. B. Cuts are to be made to the main stem or to a branch which is at least one third (1/3) the diameter of the portion being removed. Cuts made back to "water sprouts" (small green twigs) are not acceptable. In no case shall deciduous tree limbs be stubbed off at the edge of the clearing limits. Wherever possible, all pruning cuts shall be made to direct future growth and sprouting away from the power lines and other COM infrastructure. C. Conifers should be pruned in a manner that allows them to retain as much of their natural shape as possible. D. All dead branches overhanging primary lines at any height shall be removed. E. A minimum of cuts should be utilized to achieve required clearances. F. Where practical, cuts should be primarily restricted to large diameter branches made well within the crown. Shaping through the use of many cuts of small diameter branches in the outer crown must be avoided. G. Remove living branches by making cuts as close as possible to the branch collar. Remove dead branches by making cuts as close as possible to the living tissues that surround the dead branch at the base...
