Question
Hi Jim,
I've got a red pine in my yard approx 40' high and pruned about 10' from the ground that has lower branches which are wider than the tree is high.  Can I cut these back rather than pruning them completely? Thanks

Answer
Not really if you prune back these larger limbs the wounds will be come entrances for fungi and more than likely the whole limb will die. If these limbs are drooping and interfering with something they need to be prune back to the trunk. On large limbs it is best to use a 3 step method. Under cut about a foot from the trunk and then cut the branch off a foot from the trunk --the under cut will keep the limb from splitting the bark on the trunk. Then you can cut the foot stub off almost flush with the trunk.