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Scrappy trees. What would you do here? 2 apple trees and a holly.

a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
in Plants
I have these 3 trees in a corner close to neighbours. The apple trees have had a hard life obviously, though both come into leaf and the larger one has apples.  They have been ruined by Russian vine, you can still see some dead bits hanging.

I think I’d like to save the apple trees. At least the larger one, and the small twisted one if I can. 

I’m ambivalent about the Holly, but the neighbours aren’t! 

One neighbour has asked us to take it down. The other asked us not to! The first neighbour then said if not down, can it be reduced in height?
It is very tall, but I’m a bit worried about this as the greenery is quite pendulous. I think if the trunk is cut then branches hang down from there it will look terrible. I mean…worse than they do now! 

Any thoughts please.



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Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    @a1154, mmm, they don't look brilliant do they?  I wonder if a professional tree surgeon could make a better job on the large apple? (finances permitting of course).
    Not sure if it would survive a major prune, might depend on how old it is.

    I can't quite see the smaller one clearly but again it might benefit from a good prune.

    I like the holly tree, it's evergreen and the birds probably like it. Is it the cream house neighbours or the pink house ones complaining about t, and why? Is it shading their garden/greenhouse/conservatory? I don't think hollies make massive trees so personally I'd keep it. 

    It looks like the neighbours have some big branches overhanging the fence on the right which might be more of a concern to you in the future?

    Hopefully other posters will chip in with their ideas and advice.
    Good luck.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
    Pink house wants it down or cut. They say when it’s windy it nearly touches their house and it falling is a worry. Not sure if that’s true. Probably light is a factor and possibly views. It’s already pretty big. 
    I have plenty of other trees and I have other hollies. 
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    I would have them down .you could keep the stumps for wildlife or grow things up them ,or ,as you said you’ve other trees get them removed completely . IMO they really are ugly and probably in danger of falling and damage could ensue .
  • SueAtooSueAtoo Posts: 380
    You could have the holly cut about half way up where there appears to be a natural gap. It will then thicken up - if you like it and want to retain it. 
    East Dorset, new (to me) rather neglected garden.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    With careful pruning you might be able to make something  of the old Apple trees but you are looking at a long term project, sometimes it's better to just start afresh and train them properly from scratch.  As for the Holly is your tree your choice.
    AB Still learning

  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I would be inclined to wait until Spring/ Summer when the apple trees are in leaf. Then remove all dead branches, back to a growing point. Stand back and survey the remains of the trees and then decide if you still want to keep them. It may take 2-3 years to renovate them but if you use the apples, why not keep them?
    Hollies are fairly slow growing, if yours carries berries do you really want to get to rid of it? Could it be judiciously pruned around the sides and topped to reduce the height to appease the neighbours as they could cut it back to the fence line on their side? They are supposed to return the prunings to you.
    Would you be exposed to neighbours views if the holly was removed?
  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
    Thanks Joyce. To be honest the apples are more of a problem, I have so many and they are all cookers of the same type. I may hopefully be able to get a commercial organisation to take them in future years. It must have been an orchard.
    I’ll check for berries, but I think not. 
    No I won’t feel exposed I don’t think, but it’s a building site, I’m not living there. In any case it is taller than the upstairs windows. 
    I get on well with both neighbours.
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    I think I’d get rid of both the apple trees, and plant a new one or two ( of varieties that you would enjoy more) to the left of the holly in the first picture. I’d also take the holly down by half it’s height, they do seem to recover well from quite drastic pruning.
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    I like the advice from Joyce, I'd also keep the apples and top the Holly if needed. You have plenty of space there for other planting and it's nice to have really old trees with some character. 
  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
    Yes, I rather like the shapes and character of them. 
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