Had a chat with an old forester that made me reconsider my pruning cuts

I was helping a guy load some lumber at the hardware store last week, and he noticed the saw I carry. Turns out he spent 40 years with the forest service. He asked why I was making those collar cuts so close to the trunk on a maple I described. Said I was leaving the tree open to rot and to leave a bigger stub next time, like half an inch. I always thought tight cuts were best, but now I'm second guessing that textbook advice. Anyone else ever had an old timer correct a basic habit you thought was gospel?

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reed.eva1d ago

Had a buddy who lost a whole apple tree to rot from cutting too tight against the trunk.