Pruning intrevals?

[Nicklas]

Hi how often or in what intervals is it safe to go back and prune by thinning a Quercus robur (Swedish oak). I have been called on a job where the customer is not happy with the result from a tinning activity from last year made by other company. The oak is approx 40 year old. The tree looks healthy and the cuts from last year are professionally executed. The tree do not show any water sprouts.

 

[atlarborist]

An easy answer to your question would be "as often as reasonable to meet the goal". However if a tree has had a recent, heavy dose of pruning, removing more to address the clients wants can be quite hard on the tree.

In what way is the client unhappy? Not enough removed? What parts of the canopy were thinned, inner or outer? can you estimate how much was removed?

I have seen trees really disrupted and distressed by a second pruning to "correct" an earlier dose.

I would think that in most cases two separate pruning treatments applied less than three years apart should be considered one.

Unless there is some strong need that has not been fulfilled, and an appreciable amount has already been removed that moves the tree towards the owners need, I would explain what I would be back to do in three or so years and consult them on the other trees on the property.

 

[Nicklas]

Hi and thanks for your answer. The client finds the tree taking up to much sun in general and furthermore some branches are growing towards the house and phone line. I haven’t seen the tree more then from some pictures that I have also attached to this post. Feel free to comment? What would your recommendations be for future pruning activities.

 

[atlarborist]

That specimen appears to have terrible structure. Looks like three dominant leaders with tight angles/included bark. Very close to the house for a specimen that, while a slow grower, will mature as a pretty massive tree.

If the client feels the tree "takes up too much sun" perhaps no tree in that location would be best. Quercus robur will develop into a dense, wide and shady canopy.

Removal and replacement with a better specimen(single dominant stem) farther from the house, or a smaller maturing tree might be in order. Otherwise, removing a smaller scaffold close to the house and subordination pruning for two of the stems would be in order.

You will have to go see the tree to tell how much was removed in last years thinning operation, but the canopy looks pretty dense to me. You could probably get away with another 10% thinning, after the clearance and subordination, focused on the house side of the tree.

 

[pdqdl]

That looks like a fine tree to me...but it must have been really bushy if it was trimmed last year.

I'm not familiar with that variety of tree, but I would be inclined to ask the owner what they wanted done, and didn't like before, then advise them what I thought was best.

From pics alone, I'd say cut some branches out of the middle and thin it out more.

 

[Marine5068]

Looks too close to the house to begin with. Will be a huge tree in the future and will be a threat to the house foundation not to mention the overhanging branches that will inevitably touch the structure. I also see a power or telephone line near it and this could also be a concern.
But if they want to keep it there, then maybe just take down some high branches that run towards the house and see about reducing the number of main vertical trunks.
Is it on the North (North East or North West) side of the house or on the South side?
If the North, then it is of no real value climatically to a home owner in the Northern hemisphere. (does not block wind in Winter and no shade in Summer).
Make sure the home owner knows about these points. (Wind break; shade; roots into foundation in future; stability of a single rather than triple trunk for safety in wind weather storms in future, etc.)
Good luck and keep us posted on what happens.
~Stan
/Architectural Engineering
/Mechanical Engineering
/Certified Welder

 

[pdqdl]

Looks too close to the house to begin with. ...

~Stan
/Architectural Engineering
/Mechanical Engineering
/Certified Welder

You must not have very many trees up in your area. That looks like a very normal tree-house spacing for our area. Some folks really like big tall trees close to the house, cause they protect from the summer sun.

I don't guess that's a problem up in Canada, is it?

Without hearing some comments from the OP, I wouldn't venture much of a guess about the micro-climate that particular tree is growing in. I think Sweden has pretty much every mid-latitude climate available.

 

[PinnaclePete]

Looks like there's plenty of crown left. Depending on HOs objectives, you can prune again without harm, don't remove more than 25% of the crown/foliage and it should be fine.

Second picture looked like powerlines were close, be careful, stay 10 feet away. Good luck. Show more pics when you're done.

 

[Nicklas]

Thanks all for your input, very much appreciated! I will get back to you on the outcome. It will not be until later this winter or early spring though, I’m currently sitting and looking at the never ending snow fall. The winter so far has been quite hard here in Sweden.

 

[treeseer]

If size is an issue then no wonder the owner did not like the thinning--should have been reduced instead/as well. Some arborists do not know how to shorten branches, because they have been raised not to be tree toppers but never taught reduction. Yes definite included bark issue--support/cabling looks like a good option.

Conflicts with roof and foundation are far from inevitable, and are easily managed--did that concern come from a firewood harvester?

What else does the owner want sun on? selective pruning should be able to achieve specific goals. How are the roots? Aside from under white stuff...