River birch trimming cutting questions

[babaoriley]

Owner wants me to cut the branch leaning onto the house. I don’t know if I damage the tree if I do that or not. Another route would be pruning it. Any advice would help, thank you!

 

[Jed1124]

River Birch send out water sprouts like crazy after pruning.
Does the stem closest to the house come from a common trunk at the base?
If not I wouldn’t be against removing the whole stem . That said I’m prejudiced against them, especially the clump variety. I much prefer them as single stem trees.

 

[babaoriley]

They’re joined at the very bottom. I think best solution is to prune it.

 

[capetrees]

Prune it and the new branches grow as if they look crippled, not straight and flowing but more scraggly and bent. Take the whole trunk on the left out at the base. The remaining tree looks like it will actually look better.

And the wood is good for firewood.

 

[babaoriley]

Prune it and the new branches grow as if they look crippled, not straight and flowing but more scraggly and bent. Take the whole trunk on the left out at the base. The remaining tree looks like it will actually look better.

And the wood is good for firewood.

Is it safe to climb on that branch with spikes? Thanks!

 

[capetrees]

Is it safe to climb on that branch with spikes? Thanks!

Yes, if you're comfortable with a trunk that looks that thin. In my experience, birch bend, they don't break. I've had snow take my 30' birch trees and bend them to the ground creating an arch over my truck at times.

 

[babaoriley]

Yes, if you're comfortable with a trunk that looks that thin. In my experience, birch bend, they don't break. I've had snow take my 30' birch trees and bend them to the ground creating an arch over my truck at times.

thank you very much!