A literature survey and technical outline to the pruning of broadleaved trees, which focuses in particular on the effects of pathogenic fungal attack and consequent wood discoloration. Colours plates (of tree in French forests) illustrate pruning wounds, and type of fungal attack, for beech (Fagus sylvatica), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), cherry (Prunus avium), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), oak (Quercus spp.) and walnut (Juglans sp.).