seeking advice re tying UP pine tree branches

13 years ago

Hi all. I've tried searching but haven't found my answer. Have a largish pine with several of the lowest branches drooping over the lawn. I'd like to use something like Arbortie to bring them up higher. First thought was to secure to branches above, perhaps in two spots per branch. I'm concerned this might cause girdling.

I could, of course, just prune out all the branches that are too low to get by, e.g., with the lawnmower, but love the way these lowest branches look. Can't determine variety of pine - other than 3 needle. Spread is about 30', height 40+'.

Any tips/recommendations will be gratefully received.

Rosie, Sugar Hill, GA

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Comments (13)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
hey rosie ....

either enjoy it the way it is.. and kill the grass under it ... so as to avoid having to walk under it ...

or prune it up properly..

but whatever you do.. for God's sake.. dont use the lawnmower to prune it ... lol

are you really going to tie it up.. for the next hundred years?????

ken
Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
13 years ago
If the plant wants to grow in a particular way, you either deal with it or eliminate the unwanted aspect of growth. Surely the new growth will droop downward if that is the genetic makeup of the plant.

Dan
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
13 years ago
How about increasing the mulched area so that you don't have to mow in those conflict areas, at all? Good for the tree, good for you, very pleasing aesthetically.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
13 years ago
I agree with rhizo, mulch wider. Depending on your pine the branches above the ones you cut could just droop down to replace them.

tj
rosiew
Original Author
13 years ago
Much appreciate comments to date. Still wish someone would tell me it's fine to tie the limbs up! I can increase the mulched area. And may. I've finally gotten a fairly nice flow of lawn and 'not lawn'. Problem is the 'not lawn' area has become formidably large and I haven't been able to soften the look with shrubs, because of the expense mainly. This place was fence to fence grass when I moved in 5 years ago, except for the privet/poisonivy/honeysuckle mess at the rear. Looking good, but so bare.

May get neighbor to take pics and I'll post. Stay tuned.
Rosie
sluice
13 years ago
Tie them up, or tie them down. Either is fine.

Here's a link to something I've tried (tying up), and seems to work. Also a couple of tying down pics.

{{gwi:432847}}

{{gwi:432848}}

Here is a link that might be useful: tying up
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
i dont see how tieing them up.. will be advantageous to the aesthetic ....

in other words.. in my view. ... it would be ugly as heck

but as noted.. they are your trees.. should you care to torture them thru binding.. go for it.. why are you looking for us to OK it ... if it makes you happy.. who the heck cares what anyone else says ...

would like to see the pix ...

ken
Marie Tulin
13 years ago
Sluice, that tree is beautiful. Are the trusses like a training bra, supposed to get things pointed in the right direction? But the tree is already well developed, so what purpose are wires serving?

I'm just an ordinary dirt gardener, but my aesthetic says the wires ruin the tree. I don't understand what the short or long term gain is if the tree is made ugly.

Looking at the wires again, my original analogy is incorrect. It looks more like an adult with a mouthful of wire braces.

mt
rosiew
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi all, have considered your opinions and I'm going to Roundup an area of grass to eliminate problem of 'ducking while mowing'.

Will add that IMO typing up would NOT be ugly, as the strapping would not be noticeable.

No pic yet - neighbor busy.

Love the structural look of the tree pictured. And think the strapping wouldn't be evident until one is very close to the tree.

Thanks for taking the time to comment on my dilemna.
Rosie
gardningrandma
13 years ago
Be very careful with the roundup. Don't use it on a windy day.
Embothrium
13 years ago
Drift problem can be minimized by mounting a plastic bottle on the spray head.

Or holding a piece of cardboard between the target and non-target plants.
dsieber
13 years ago
Great tree..... who the %&*& needs grass. Plant native occuring wild flowers and grasses. How old is that puppy.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
roundup is not french perfume.. very low pressure.. means big drops.. means gravity makes them fall to the ground ... and it becomes basically inert on the ground.. only affecting green tissue ...

practice with water on the driveway.. adjusting pressure and the nozzle ... until you can see big drops ...

then go spray hoping for about 75% perfection.. then come back in a week or two ... and respary what was missed ... i do more damage trying to do an annal job.... rather than just presuming i have to come back ....

and please ... remember not to walk thru it onto the good lawn.. or you will be wondering what those weird feet shaped dead spots are.. in a month or two.. been there done that.. lol

ken

seeking advice re tying UP pine tree branches

Comments (13)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)

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seeking advice re tying UP pine tree branches

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