- 1). Remove damaged tree branches. Make a 45-degree downward angled cut back into the healthy portion of the branch or to a healthy outward facing bud. To remove an entire branch, cut back next to the branch collar. The branch collar is the natural swelling that attaches branches to the rest of the trunk.
- 2). Trim off competing leaders. Competing leaders are horizontally growing branches at the top of the tree. By leaving one strong dominant leader, your poplar tree will maintain a strong trunk.
- 3). Thin out branches rubbing against each other, because they reduce the amount of sunlight getting inside of the poplar. To remove a large branch, make a cut 4 to 5 inches away from the branch collar. This cut should go underneath the branch and halfway through its diameter.
- 4). Prune back branches that are growing downward. Make your cut back to right above a branch that is growing out from the tree.
- 5). Use pair of bypass shears to cut off any water sprouts or tiny branches with a diameter the size of a pencil growing from tree branches.