Today I’m going to test out my chain saw skillz. I’ll be cutting off some branches off some trees. Do I need to paint something on the fresh cut area to keep it from growing back? I thought I had seen someone cut “grooves” to stop growth? How do I handle this project?
Frankly, if you have trees (especially larger trees) this is something you should leave to a professional certified arborist.
They know how to correctly and safely prune large trees for continued health and proper growth.
No, you don’t need to paint anything over the wound. You do need to know where on the branch to properly cut to get the wound to heal. You should properly cut (total of 3 cuts) to ensure the branch falls off without stripping bark as the branch falls to the ground.
If you have to leave the ground with a chain saw, I’m just not sure that is the best idea.
Can you tell that I feel pretty strongly about proper tree trimming?
I am sure others will give you differing advice but that’s mine based on experience and training as a Master Gardener and Desert Landscape School graduate. 
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I’d start by testing your chain saw skills on something like firewood. You need to feel the saw when it’s operating, understand when you should stop/idle, etc. Do wear gloves and protective eyewear.
I’m with Where’sMyWhite on having a professional trim your trees - particularly large, mature trees. My Grandfather also painted the cut. Not with house paint. I think it was some sort of tar. We haven’t and neither have the arborists I’ve used to trim our trees. I understood that it prevented invasive insects.
Last year, we had a late freeze after our trees leaves were growing. Some branches didn’t leaf in that spring. After several arguments about cutting those - I won - they were left. This year, they’re all growing in again. I add that in case you’re considering cutting branches that look dead. Be sure they’re dead.
You can google images for pruning trees. That will give you a good idea about how to go about it. Be sure to check your manual and not go after branches that are thicker than what your chain can handle.
You’re insured right?
We have what I refer to as “the chain saw on a stick” which I do use to trim small branches.
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/pole-pruners/professional-pole-pruners/
Bigger, higher stuff is left to the guys with proper climbing equipment and the bucket truck.
Chainsaws and ladders do not mix.
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A few years ago I had somebody come in and do some fence posts for me. THEY decided that it would be good to trim the lower branches of my Thujas that I had planted for a windblock and I wasn’t there to stop them. Now that the lower branches were gone the horses decided it would be a good idea to gnaw the bark off the trunks. Before it was too prickly for them to do that and they left them alone. So now I make sure nobody trims lower branches. They keep the beavers away from the trunks. Maybe your guys are not as destructive as mine…
Thanks for the replies. The trees are not in a pasture, so the horses can’t access them. I’m afraid there is no “specialist” in my area, although Wheresmywhites did remind me that we have a Master Gardener at work, so I’ll check in with him to see what his thoughts are.
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Looking at a map, there are quite a few hits for “tree service” in central Illinois.
I have pretty decent chainsaw skills, IMO limbs large enough to need a powered saw still in the tree warrant an expert.
We have a long-handled tree trimmer that cuts and saws. We also have hand saws. Keep them sharpened and they work great! If you do hire someone that brings in workers - make sure they carry insurance for those workers and any damage they could do to your property.
I love my battery powered pole saw! This thing is a beast and can power through up to about 8", while keeping you at a relatively safe distance.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Greenworks-40-volt-Lithium-Ion-8-in-Cordless-Electric-Pole-Saw-Battery-Included/1000462157
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
They have both training and experience to know how to properly prune and safely prune. If a branch is large enough to need a chain saw, that is not a tool to mess around with particularly when it above your head.
They should also be licensed, bonded, insured.
IMO, you don’t need to paint anything over a wound that was made with correct pruning There is a right way branch cuts should be made to allow the limb to fall correctly and the open wound to heal properly.
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My friend just lost her nephew to a tree branch that fell on his head and killed him while trimming trees in their yard.
I agree with others that if it’s large enough to need a chainsaw and it’s over your head, find a tree service.
We prune lots of trees with our clippers and small handsaw. The larger stuff we brought in a tree service. So thankful we did, they helped us decide which trees needed to go (we knew we had one dead one), and which trees we just needed to trim branches from and keep an eye on.
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You generally don’t need to paint anything on it to stop it from growing back.
Make sure you cut as close to the tree as possible. Don’t make the mistake of most amatures by leaving a nub sticking out a few inches. The tree has to be able to wrap new bark around the wound to keep insects out, and it can’t get this growth around a nub.
Image a silhouette of the tree that shows no damage or evidence of the limb previously being there, and aim for that.
The junction of the branch to the trunk (or smaller branch to larger branch) has a thickened area. This is called the branch collar. It contains hormones that help the tree heal the cut and ultimately grow bark over the cut. Do not cut into the branch collar! Cut just outside of it so the cut can heal.There should be a bit of a nub left left where the branch was removed from the trunk. If you scroll down a bit on this linked page, you’ll see an illustration: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-456/430-456.html
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I never knew this, I’ve always cut close with successful results. I will abide by this from now on, thank you.
Like so many things, it depends.
If you’re cutting a waist level or below then the odds of getting into real trouble if you have average strength and dexterity are relatively low. But, remember that you’re operating a device that is a mindless machine and while it’s probably equipped by required safety device you can get hurt by what you cut as well as the cutting instrument, itself.
If you’re cutting above waist height, and even more so if you’re standing on anything but solid ground, you’re taking a significant risk of being hit by what you cut and by being “bit” by what you’re cutting with.
Without know precisely what your plan is it’s pretty hard to give precise instructions. Just keep in mind that in Texas they use chain saws to commit massacres!!! 
G.
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Hey @Lolliver did you find a tree guy to take care of your trees this spring? Hopefully you were able to get everything set this summer!
In the interest of safety, I just trimmed what I could reach from the ground. It’s better than nothing, and I survived without injury…so there’s that too! 🤣
