inkscape

Try this: Select the two nodes at each side of the base of the branch (as shown in your image). Use the “Break path at selected nodes”-button. It’s located in the upper toolbar visible when you press F2. Now you have two connected paths which you can separate using Path->”Break Apart”.

In InkScape 0.48: File > Document Properties > Page > General > Background Move R, G, and B to 0. Adjust A (Alpha) to your preference (experiment to set to your liking). Note that this approach will set the color you choose as the background for the saved/exported image. In InkScape 0.92: File > Document … Read more