Limbing

Limbing or delimbing is the process of removing branches from a standing or fallen tree trunk.^[1]

In logging, limbing follows felling.^[2] Limbing plays a role in fire prevention by removing branches from live trees that can otherwise serve as part of a fuel ladder allowing a fire to climb from the ground into the tree canopy. A California fire prevention guide recommends to "Remove all tree branches at least 6 feet [1.8 meters] from the ground" and "Allow extra vertical space between shrubs and trees."^[3]

In British English, limbing can be synonymous with snedding. Alternatively, limbing can be used to describe the operation on larger branches, and snedding on smaller.

^ Logging Safety: A Field Guide Archived 2019-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, Section Four: Limbing and Bucking, New York State Department of Health
^ Felling, Limbing and Bucking Trees; University of Missouri extension; by Hank Stelzer, Forestry State Specialist, School of Natural Resources
^ Maintain Defensible Space, Ready For Wildfire, CAL FIRE

[1] Logging Safety: A Field Guide Archived 2019-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, Section Four: Limbing and Bucking, New York State Department of Health

[2] Felling, Limbing and Bucking Trees; University of Missouri extension; by Hank Stelzer, Forestry State Specialist, School of Natural Resources

[3] Maintain Defensible Space, Ready For Wildfire, CAL FIRE

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