Method and device for delimbinga tree trunk (60) in a compliantgripping state defined by a set of limbingknives (18, 24, 26, 28) enclosing thetrunk. The limbing knives are repeatedlyadjusted through a control unit (46) foradaption of the gripping state to a varyingthickness of the trunk when the trunk isadvanced between the knives for the delimbingof the trunk. The invention comprisesentering a desired compliance (D1)of the gripping state in the control unit(46), detecting an actual compliance (d) ofthe gripping state, and performing eachadjustment of the limbing knives via thecontrol unit until the actual compliance(d) corresponds to the desired compliance(D1).
