While the process is fairly simple, you should be careful. This succulent has a lot of sharp spines as well as a slightly toxic sap. Cut the leaf from the base with a sharp blade to prevent it from causing any damage to the rest of your plant. Use a sharp knife to remove the rotten root. A tiny cut from a jade tree can produce a whole plant that needs less care. You want to ensure that they are cut completely to avoid further infection. The most obvious benefit is the fact that your succulents will grow faster. However, this doesn't mean that they don't require fertilizer.