He meant amputate, as you would a diseased limb.

"They fell off a diseased limb."

It was so-named when children witnessed some of its diseased limbs being sawn off.

This is likened to the physician who must amputate a diseased limb, or a cancer, for the good of the whole person.

But the homeowners may clear and trim away any nuisance or diseased limbs or any branches that block their view of the valley.

Or, perhaps more likely from the Vulcan perspective, as if severing a diseased limb from a healthy body and casting it aside.

Regular pruning removes dead or diseased limbs and shapes the tree to withstand storm damage.

Shan-wei's poison must be cut out of the body of the Faithful as a surgeon cuts away a diseased limb, purged with fire and the sword.

"We are a pretty aggressive group and we do some severely diseased limbs, but this was really pushing the envelope," Dr. Isner said.

Even if these conditions do not exist, careful pruning of diseased or dead limbs can produce healthier, fuller shade trees.