The wood is firm and does not bend easily.

Half-Cutting Trees or Shrubs The practice of partially cutting branches of live trees or shrubs to encourage horizontal, living cover near the ground A minimum of one clump of trees/shrubs per yards on at least 10 percent of acreage or 10 acres, whichever is smaller, annually to qualify.

However, the cover value of such mesquite can be enhanced via a process called “half-cutting.” Half-cutting seeks to transform a multi-stemmed mesquite into a “living brushpile.” The only equipment needed to half-cut mesquites is a limb saw (I prefer one of the folding-type models). Select only those trees with smooth bark (typically less than inches in diameter) and that have 6 to 10 stems.

Aug 18, Use a sharp, thin-bladed pocket knife or sharp pruning shears. If necessary, dip the cutting tool in rubbing alcohol or a mixture of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water to prevent transmitting diseases from infected plant parts to healthy ones. Remove the leaves from the lower one-third to one-half of the cutting. On large-leafed plants, the remaining leaves may be cut in half to reduce water Estimated Reading Time: 8 mins. In the three step method, we’ll make the first cut about half way through the underside of the branch, about a foot away from the trunk to prevent the trunk from splintering when the limb falls.

The second cut will be made all the way through the limb several inches beyond the first cut.