What to do with this tree?

13 years ago

Hi all,

I was wondering what I should do with the attached tree. There are TWO primary concerns - 1. That it is very lopsided and I'm concerned it will fall; and 2. I'd rather not lose any foliage at the base as it provides nice privacy for me.

Can I "top" it? Or is there another way to ensure it is balanced, but loses no foliage at the base?

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Comments (3)

alisonoz_gw
13 years ago
Need to identify it before going too much further. The leaves look like a bit like Illawarra flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius) - do you know?
The tree is lopsided partly because of those palms "encroaching" on it. Are they on the street or in a neighbouring yard?
The lopsidedness won't necessarily make it fall - please respond with what you know about the tree's identity and approximate age, whether you planted or inherited it with the property.
amey01
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for your response! I didn't plant it and I have no idea what it is. Yes, it was inherited when I bought the house. It loses leaves every second year, so I was inferring it was some sort of maple? No idea really.
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i would truncate that giant on the left.. just start snipping back.. until it springs upright.. and then properly prune it back to a proper place...and be done with it... what you dont define.. is where you want to go with this .... will you be raising the canopy.. as it ages.. to be able to walk under it to mow??? etc ... pruning now.. is all about the result you want in 5 years ... do a little every now and then.. to accomplish the long range goal ... anyway.. if its a PPlum.. its a short lived tree.. subject a variety of maladies.. if you squeeze 10 years out of it.. that is about par ... it is a great tree to learn and practice on .... and... once the large weeper is fixed .. its probably time to get rid of the stakes.. for sure by fall .. and remove the grass in a 2 to 3 foot circle.. and get some mulch there ... we want to keep the idiot with the weedwacker as far away as possible from the trunk ... ken
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alisonoz_gw
13 years ago
Without knowing what it is, it's impossible to say how its growth would react to a "topping". I really would suggest you take some photos and leaves to a reputable nursery or arborist for ID.
My fear is that, if it's a species which naturally grows with a single trunk, then topping it is going to do it damage and if it survives and re-shoots it will do so with potentially weak side-growth. Also, the topping may not cause any re-growth below the cut so you are then stuck with the problem of no lower branches and a lot of sappy upper growth.
It is also difficult to assess, from the photo, just how close to the wall it is. Either my guess or yours, has the potential to grow into a VERY big tree that could do structural damage.
Whatever it is, it does not like the competition for light from those neighbouring palms.
I know you appreciate the privacy and it looks very pretty with the string lights (?) but I'd suggest replacing it before it becomes more of a problem. You can always buy an advanced specimen tree/shrub or even pre-grow one to take its place. Or use a temp screen/vine while you are preparing for a replacement

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What to do with this tree?

Comments (3)

alisonoz_gw

amey01
Original Author

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What to do with this tree?

Comments (3)

alisonoz_gw

amey01Original Author

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amey01
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