Trim Advice

[Tree Pig]

Got a friend who wants a very large limb removed from the lower section of a large oak. The tree is otherwise healthy, had some pruning done last year but they are worried about the kids and this limb 18" diameter at the base of the limb. Its long and very heavy. Though the oak is now fully leafed I am a little concerned about creating such a large wound at this time of the season. The owner doesnt want to wait and wants it done before the kids are out of school.

My idea was that if he definitely wont wait then I was thinking of at least suggesting he do something to promote faster healing maybe good hydration, mulching and some 10-10-10 but I am no expert so any advise would be great.

 

[ddhlakebound]

Got a friend who wants a very large limb removed from the lower section of a large oak. The tree is otherwise healthy, had some pruning done last year but they are worried about the kids and this limb 18" diameter at the base of the limb. Its long and very heavy. Though the oak is now fully leafed I am a little concerned about creating such a large wound at this time of the season. The owner doesnt want to wait and wants it done before the kids are out of school.

My idea was that if he definitely wont wait then I was thinking of at least suggesting he do something to promote faster healing maybe good hydration, mulching and some 10-10-10 but I am no expert so any advise would be great.

Unless this limb has a fault, or has been compromised by decay, removing it will cause far more damage than leaving or reducing it. A wound that size will expose the WHOLE main stem to decay, and greatly reduce the life span of the tree. If it's in the red oak family trimming now could lead to oak wilt infection.

I'd advise STRONGLY against removing the whole limb, a wound that size will be thoroughly infected with decay agents long before the tree could seal the wound, if it ever could close it off.

Light pruning of the limb tips reduces a considerable amount of leveraged weight, and allows the limb to mostly maintain it's natural form. If the limb is healthy and strong, there's no reason to chop it off as a knee jerk reaction to a touch of arborphobia.

If he's really that worried, the limb could be cabled to the main stem for additional support, probably for less than the trimming, with far less wounding to the tree.

Fertilizing after trimming is not a good idea either. Promoting lush growth (which pathogen bearing insects love) immeaditely after causing the tree distress could further hamper it's probablilty of survival. Adding a light top dressing of organic compost and mulching would be a better plan for the tree.

If light pruning/cabling isn't enough for the homeowner, and you have to reduce it to a lateral, be sure that the terminal tips of the lateral can get enough sunlight to sustain themselves, or the whole limb could die back.

Hopes this helps, good luck, and I hope you change the owners mind, for the sake of what sounds like a very impressive oak tree.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Cable?
Jeff

 

[Tree Pig]

Thats is pretty much everything I was concerned with and what I had already told him. I tried talking him into cabling but the limb is low and he is concerned it will be the cable will be unsightly. I wasnt sure about the fertilizing idea so thanks for that info. I am most likely going to back out of the job. Its a friend and not going to be for much if anything money wise. I also dont need him getting mad at me, two years from now when the bark falls off and the tree is dead.

 

[tree md]

I had to do something similar at a National Guard Armory onetime. Limbs were growing over the fence line and had to be removed for security purposes. Sometimes it's unavoidable. Just make sure that you cut it out far enough that it won't peel the trunk and leave a good collar for it to callous over as quickly as possible on your final cut.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Support from beneath and make it stairs to the coolest tree house in town.
Jeff

 

[Tree Pig]

I had to do something similar at a National Guard Armory onetime. Limbs were growing over the fence line and had to be removed for security purposes. Sometimes it's unavoidable. Just make sure that you cut it out far enough that it won't peel the trunk and leave a good collar for it to callous over as quickly as possible.

Yeah I am up on that part, I was taught pruning by someone I think was very knowledgeable. I always cut away form the tree to reduce weight, then do a finish cut. I also was taught to try and read the tree and make the finish cut were nature would have placed it due to natural dying. I know in this business you will find 10 different ways to do everything, but I think my cuts always look nice and natural and almost always seem to heal well. But in this case I just dont think it can be removed without risking grave damage to the tree, some light rigging is involved which is why the home owner didnt already cut it.

 

[Tree Pig]

Support from beneath and make it stairs to the coolest tree house in town.
Jeff

Thats actually a great idea, 4 nice 6x6 holding up a tree house and supporting limb would be cool.

 

[tree md]

Yeah I am up on that part, I was taught pruning by someone I think was very knowledgeable. I always cut away form the tree to reduce weight, then do a finish cut. I also was taught to try and read the tree and make the finish cut were nature would have placed it due to natural dying. I know in this business you will find 10 different ways to do everything, but I think my cuts always look nice and natural and almost always seem to heal well. But in this case I just dont think it can be removed without risking grave damage to the tree, some light rigging is involved which is why the home owner didnt already cut it.

Yeah, I agree. Anytime you remove something that large it either takes forever for it to callous over it it never does so. I hate taking anything that large out of a tree. Thing is, it's the HO's tree and their call. The chances of that limb falling on his kids is probably a billion to one but he has probably read about a limb falling and killing a kid somewhere and wants a little peace of mind about his own kids. We had a thread in the injuries and fatalities forum of that happening not to long ago so it's not as far fetched as some would think. If it gives him peace of mind then more power to him. Might have to remove the tree eventually but it's his tree and his call.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Maybe a slide to the pool?
Jeff
Make some bucks and friends

 

[jefflovstrom]

Or the coolest "tire swing"
Jeff

 

[Tree Pig]

its big enough to do all of the above.

 

[jefflovstrom]

If you were the tree, you would not want your arm cut off instead of proving your arm is worth keeping.
Jeff (oh, be quiet)

 

[Tree Pig]

Yeah, I agree. Anytime you remove something that large it either takes forever for it to callous over it it never does so. I hate taking anything that large out of a tree. Thing is, it's the HO's tree and their call. The chances of that limb falling on his kids is probably a billion to one but he has probably read about a limb falling and killing a kid somewhere and wants a little peace of mind about his own kids. We had a thread in the injuries and fatalities forum of that happening not to long ago so it's not as far fetched as some would think. If it gives him peace of mind then more power to him. Might have to remove the tree eventually but it's his tree and his call.

The good part is its not his tree, its his neighbors (will confirm permission from neighbor before climbing). I just try to do whats right for the tree and in this case I know this is not a good answer. The crotch is weak, slightly cracked and oozing slightly. Other then that no signs of obvious decay. Supporting the weight of the limb is all thats needed but its a hard sell. Not to sound corny but this tree is very beautiful and I hate to see it placed at risk.

But on the other hand if he gets some hack or tries to do it himself he could end up with a 3 foot tear down the tree and almost certain catastrophic damage.

 

[Tree Pig]

If you were the tree, you would not want your arm cut off instead of proving your arm is worth keeping.
Jeff (oh, be quiet)

Yeah but if I though my arm was going to fall off and kill my son/daughter I would cut it off with a dull craftsman with the chain on backwards.

 

[jefflovstrom]

O.K., got it.
Jeff