Sorry, I can't comment because we've not yet planted goldenball lead tree or seen any used in our far north Dallas area. Am sure there are a few around here somewhere. Couldn't find the one at the local Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center during a quick look while at a class there - could have missed it, but good chance it fell victim to the expansion and other changes they've recently made. Had considered using GBLT as a smaller replacement for the large Chinese pistache lost in last year's wind storm. But decided to go evergreen with Tx mtn laurel instead. Still at the top of the short list to try as other space becomes available.

You need access to the rear of the dent. Possibly that means drilling a hole, then pushing out the dent. A dentless guy could do this with a hole. Then fill the hole with low expand foam or something depending on what you find when you drill the hole. Place a bottle of salad dressing in front of the repaired interior spot. Certain death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?

Sometimes it's just up to mother nature........ Has anyone had any luck when doing selective pruning in the hope that plant energy is directed in a specific manner. For me, one of my Limelight standards got uprooted by a storm, and one of the framework branches snapped off due to the impact. What was left was a 6 inch stub off the graft. I put glue on the tip and wished for the best. The remainder of the season, the stub looked healthy - no discoloration, bark was still the same going into winter. Fast forward this year, I for sure thought it was a goner. The bark appeared to have peeled open during the offseason, and I could see the - guts under the bark per-se. I was thinking this stub, while hopeful it was still alive, it surely must be dead now, with the exposed bark that seemed to unravel itself. Come mid-late spring, I noticed a bud/branch emerging so all smiles !I trimmed -most of the existing branching- a bit lower for this year -----THINKING---- more energy could potentially be focused to this 6 inch stub. I was wrong. The tree still branched out like a Limelight, sending 3-4" new wood and the 2 branches that came out of this stub, was about as thick as a toothpick.. Honestly, in full leaf out and bloom, I don't even see this framework branching is amiss, as it's pretty full and round. In my -mind- , I know it's missing of the 5 primary branching points that are on it, but that's just a mental thing...... Anyhow, just curious. Has anyone done any selective pruning for a particular function and actually had sucess. Ha, I know once can prune for height, shape or just straight culling out. Wishful thinking I suppose.

I wouldn't want the liability of someone removing it from my home. What if they drop the heavy top on their foot or damage your floors? Unless you're getting new floors? I think $500 to $800 would be a fair price. Another option would be to donate it to Habitat For Humanity Restore if you have one in your area. Get the write off on your taxes. And they'll do a pick up from your garage. If you are getting new tops, ask your fabricator what they would charge to remove it and place it in your garage....if you don't want to lift it off....or have the manpower.