Sun screen for trees?

[beastmaster]

I checked out these two butchered Live Oaks today. I have to write up a rehabilitation plan for them. One still has some structure and has completely suckered out protecting the branches from the Sun. The other one which is also twice as big only has a little growth sprouting out from the 10in heading cuts. Most the inside of the tree is bare and there is close to 10ft from cut to main trunk. several of these branches are fully exposed to the Sun. I am thinking of putting up some Sun screen and setting it up like an awning.
I would like to say the tree is ruined and should be removed, but I have to protect my client. I will adress its removal in my summery.
Has anyone ever heard of this being done, and anyone think of any pros or cons of using sun screen like this? Im thinking it would protect the bare wood from the sun while a new crown is growing out.
I have some photos if anyone is interested, the big tree is toast if you ask me, but they want a plan so they'll get one. It has defects that I might be able to exploit for removal. It going to have a lot more down the road to it they do try to save it. The HO still doesn't understand why everyone is making such a fuss. She says its like a bonsai now. Beastmaster

 

[ch woodchuck]

I'm always interested in these bazaar situations.Post some pics if you don't mind.must be pretty hot down there If you're worried about heat stress.We're here on the coast (zone 16).Seen quite a few tortured live oaks,never had heat stress problem.fruit/ornamental trees have their trunks painted to protect from sun scald,how that relates to your problem?Unknown.Where ther's a will there's a way...you'll figure it out.

 

[treeseer]

fruit/ornamental trees have their trunks painted to protect from sun scald,how that relates to your problem?Unknown.Where ther's a will there's a way...you'll figure it out.

Absolutely white or silver latex paint can help prevent sunscald.

Yeah let's see your toast, look fo rjelly. :msp_tongue:

 

[beastmaster]

I know white paint is common on many fruit trees but I think in this case it would be unexceptable. But then on the other hand could you make these trees any uglier?View attachment 190403View attachment 190404View attachment 190403View attachment 190404View attachment 190405
Live Oak when exposed from over pruning or topping sun scalds easily. This is especially true of areas that had previously spent most their life shaded under the canopy. If allowed unprotected to sun burn, 4 or 5 years down the road these areas will die down several inches under where it was sun burned. This along with the rotting of those big header cuts on the end of each branch will make this tree a nightmare to maintain several years down the road I think
The main leader where it comes off the trunk is only a few inches from the eaves of the house. and two of the other main branches have fused together, I am hoping to use those for grounds for removal of this tree, with replacement. But they're asking for a restoration plan. I have one, but I think it'll be a waste of time and money. Beastmaster

 

[M.D. Vaden]

Sounds like your OP is referring to preventing sunburn in the summer. And sunscald is a different problem confined to winter, which may be irrelevant in the upper part of the canopy anyway.

For landscape tree planting, my preference of screening is regular window screen that comes in rolls.It may be too narrow for your needs.

An alternative may be the shade cloth used by nurseries. I don't think it's very expensive. You would only need to leave the screen up there until autumn.

 

[ch woodchuck]

Tough call.Looks like the work had been done awhile ago with all that sprouting?Understand what you mean about problems down the road.There are organic paint products are are used for trunk spraying.Covering the bark with a thick coat,as you say is not an option.How about a''thin''sprayed on coat,more like an opague covering...just enough for protection,but not enough
to be distracting..Just an idea...
And that last pic?Looks like rot at that point of origin?And have those two spars actually grafted,or are they just growing into each other.
Whoever did that job?If that were here in the ritzier part of marin co?Their sorry butts would be in court..replacement cost for that tree....:msp_ohmy:Rough estimate?Would depend on the real estate values in the area....15?20k?.Not my expertise,could be more,could be less.
Good luck!Keep us informed...

 

[beastmaster]

The HO hired a guy she saw cutting trees down the street one day. She wanted more taken off but the guy was limited she said by his saw size. This City is well known for its preservation of Native Oaks. Its impossible this butcher wasn't aware of the regulations. You would think self preservation would of stopped him, as the fine alone can be in the 100,000.00 dollar range if he had gotten caught.
Ch woodchuck those property's are valued in the millions, thats prime LA location. A small two bedroom can go easily for a million. Thats not even in the upper crust neighborhoods.
By sun screen I meant shade clothe, I am just hoping they'll consider removing the one, and letting the HO plant 3 more to replace it. The Asian Lady who owns the property's would like to keep the tree if I could take it down another 15 ft. to roof level . Thanks for the replys and l'll keep you informed. Beastmaster

 

[treeseer]

"I know white paint is common on many fruit trees but I think in this case it would be unexceptable. But then on the other hand could you make these trees any uglier?

White paint would be an improvement!

Live Oak when exposed from over pruning or topping sun scalds easily. This is especially true of areas that had previously spent most their life shaded under the canopy. If allowed unprotected to sun burn, 4 or 5 years down the road these areas will die down several inches under where it was sun burned.

True; let's call it all sun damage.

"This along with the rotting of those big header cuts on the end of each branch will make this tree a nightmare to maintain several years down the road I think

where's the 27" cut you were talking about? Those cuts will rot but may be compartmentalized.

"The main leader where it comes off the trunk is only a few inches from the eaves of the house. and two of the other main branches have fused together, I am hoping to use those for grounds for removal of this tree,

why are those grounds for removal?

"But they're asking for a restoration plan. I have one, but I think it'll be a waste of time and money.

Well it's not your time or money, so...specify paint and root invigoration now, and after the sprouting slows (3-5 years?)--see Patience toward the end of Gilman's attached-- removing 1/3 of the sprouts per year.

 

[beastmaster]

I admit I am a little bias concerning the restoration of the bigger and more sever of the two Oaks. In my minds eye I don't ever see that tree with a decent structure that is the characteristically associated with Live Oaks. That is my personal feelings, and not what Im putting in my report/plan for restoration. Oaks are the king of trees in my opinion, and that King has lost its crown.
The Citys report stated the 27 in cut, but they exaggerated. Several 10+ in. cuts though.
The Lady called me today and said the city contacted her, and recommended the tree be removed. She'll have to plant 3 24in Oaks to replace it.
If someone cared or was really interested in saving the tree I might feel different. Its not the trees fault. For 50 + years it has done what trees do, with a little care it may of lived another200 years. So we concentrate on the smaller other oak. It still has a decent structure and is suckering out pretty good. In 20 years it may be hard to tell it was so severely cut.
I am new to this, but it seems you have to take a lot of variables into consideration aside from the cut and dry arbor-care. Beastmaster

 

[jefflovstrom]

That tree is history. I can't believe the seer of the trees can say otherwise. Beast, that tree is a removal.
Jeff

 

[ch woodchuck]

Agreed,that thing is an eyesore.How about replacing?One of our clients has bough several fairly large boxed trees.They were about 20 yrs old when planted from the box,that was 16 yrs ago and they're beautiful.Don't know the price..



Botanical Partners - Big Box Specimen Oaks for Sale Quercus agrifolia, California Live Oak

 

[Toddppm]

. She'll have to plant 3 24in Oaks to replace it.

That's going to leave a mark in her wallet. Sounds like the worst type of HOA. No way I would live someplace like that. I don't agree with the way she got those trees hacked up but they are hers so......

 

[treeseer]

Is that a typo? 3 each 24"? or 2-4"? and is that caliper or dbh? or height?

cant be judged a removal or a keeper until context is known; as beast says there are a lot of variables--client, regs, etc.

that tree could be maintained as a rotting sprouting hulk; never said it should be. perhaps a more just penalty would be to leave her an even 'messier" tree, than to remove it.

 

[beastmaster]

Those are 24in boxes I think they mean. Luckily they give the option that the trees can be planted anywhere in the city. This lady does not want any thing to do with trees anymore.
I sent my recommendations and rehabilitation plan last night. She has a week to submit them to the City.
That report took several hours to put together. I thought That would of been the easy part. My first time using Works word processer to write some thing. It takes a little getting use to at first. I spent an hour trying to figure out how to download a satellite photo from google earth of the location. Never did figure it out.
It was an interesting experience. I am just curious, I charged 85.00 dollars to inspect the tree and write the report. Time and money wise it didn't seem worth it. I might of broke even at 185.00 I think. What do others charge for a similar job like this one. Thanks ,Beastmaster

 

[treeseer]

well there's the uf solution--whack the old trees and stick in seedlings. 24" box is probly 2" caliper. will not cost her that much.

$85?? o man please do not degrade yourself and our profession like that again.

Those are 24in boxes I think they mean. Luckily they give the option that the trees can be planted anywhere in the city. This lady does not want any thing to do with trees anymore.
I sent my recommendations and rehabilitation plan last night. She has a week to submit them to the City.
That report took several hours to put together. I thought That would of been the easy part. My first time using Works word processer to write some thing. It takes a little getting use to at first. I spent an hour trying to figure out how to download a satellite photo from google earth of the location. Never did figure it out.
It was an interesting experience. I am just curious, I charged 85.00 dollars to inspect the tree and write the report. Time and money wise it didn't seem worth it. I might of broke even at 185.00 I think. What do others charge for a similar job like this one. Thanks ,Beastmaster

 

[beastmaster]

$85?? o man please do not degrade yourself and our profession like that again.

Yes Sir, I won't. Live and learn I guess. I was just flattered some one ask me to do it, to tell the truth. Beastmaster

 

[ch woodchuck]

Ya did what ya did,charged what ya charged...:msp_laugh.No big deal....Learning process,we've all been there.Figure it out as you go along.We've had the same clients for the past 30 yrs,so there is no charge;because we've got the job...:msp_biggrin:

Those trees come in 48''60'' 84''boxes.
Tree specs are in height in feet........If I read correctly.


chuck.