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Controlling an old large tree
John Telford
Posts: 4
I need to get this very large old tree under control. It needs a little TLC as it (and the whole garden) have been ignored for years by the previous owners. I'd like to cut of the bottom branches for about 8 feet and install a circular bench around the trunk for the summer. Is this practical ? All advice gratefully received thanks !!
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Posts
Start by cutting off excess foliage. Then undercut the branch about a foot from the trunk. Cut the branch off in sections, making the final cut close to the trunk. If you try and take the whole branch off in one go, close to the trunk, you run the risk of ripping the bark on the main trunk.
It's a process called lifting the crown and is perfectly practicable.
As Fidget says, cut the branches off in sections so you - and the tree - can manage the weight without any damage to you or it. If in doubt, get a tree surgeon to do it for you.
Yes pansyface, that's what happened when we did ours - we had to look at the neighbours very unnattractive bungalow for months and deal with her "hey you" business over the fence.
She is always trying to involve us in her neighbour disputes with everyone else.
I wish I'd left the tree alone
if you are (or know anyone that is) good at drawing or photo manipulation, draw what you'll end up with, the shape of the remaining branches. Have a look to see what the lower ones look like inside the tree, will there be a lot of dead stuff? And include what's on the other side.
Think and plan first, you don't want any regrets.
In the sticks near Peterborough
I'm not a big fan of crown lifting fir trees, firstly it makes them look like kids drawing of a tree, and more importantly certain conifers are ment to have lower branches it stops them drying out, but in this case I would lift the lower limbs to neaten up the tree, yes you will end up seeing more of the neighbours but it could be the start of a new friendship ?
Good suggestions and ideas so far, thank you all very much. Neighbours aren't an issue, the tree is in the middle of the garden and there's a boundary hedge too.
Lift away then but, as Dog says, do it one or two branches at a time and then stand back and walk round and check what else needs to go to get a balanced result.
Once it's lopped you can't put it back.