OK to remove BIG limb from pin oak?

[Winchman]

I've been asked to remove the lowest limb from this pin oak. The owner is convinced it's causing the tree to lean more each year. The lean and the limb is due south, and the tree is confined by several taller trees to the north.


How likely is that the big limb is actually causing the lean? Will removing it doom the tree?

 

[Shadowscape]

Don't believe it is causing it to lean at all. More that the tree is trying to get some sun over that way because it is crowded too much by the trees on the other side.
I wouldn't cut it off. But it is not my tree.

 

[Steve-o]

Cut down the pine instead. It’s called Phototropism. The tree leaning out to get sun. The branch has nothing to do with it.

 

[Basswood]

Don’t remove the large limb and don’t remove the pine. The limb isn’t causing any leans or problems. Removal will just be a large wound that will probably never compartmentalize over and an entry for decay fungi.

Rent a lift and do some smaller pruning cuts at the tips to reduce weight on the over extended limbs and lightly prune the pine away from the oak.

Another classic scenario of “should have been managed decades ago to achieve the goal”.

 

[TreeVB]

Please don’t allow them to make that decision. It is definitely not causing the tree to lean. The aspect ratio of the limb is a bit large though so some gentle end weight reduction will be beneficial. Be sure for true small reduction cuts and not tip thinning cuts with the goal of slightly suppressing overall growth of the limb. Think leverage.

 

[Basswood]

Removal of pine will also expose the oak while it’s been acclimated to its current condition for decades. More likely to see failure in my opinion with the new exposure, though maybe nominal on its own.

 

[Neill]

I also would not recommend removing that limb. However if they insisted I would do it. But I’m unscrupulous like that

If you did move forward with pruning, be wary of making that big cut, plenty of ways it could go wrong

I’d rather have the pine than the oak in this scenario. But looks like plenty of trees in the photo. Wouldn’t be the worst thing to thin the stand a touch in my opinion

Also- let’s just say the oak is leaning more- is there a Target if it fell? Another possible reason to just leave it alone. What is the purpose to the proposed pruning?

 

[Winchman]

Thanks for all the prompt replies with good recommendations. I'm pretty sure I can convince him the limb will be OK as is. It sure provides an oasis of shade in the summer, and there are no existing or planned targets.

 

[Matias]

That situation doesn't look to me to justify renting a lift. If I owned one, I'd use it, because that's the point, but that limb looks like a great walk with lots of good pruning options to reduce tip weight, and we know you can climb pines.

 

[Daniel]

How likely is that the big limb is actually causing the lean? Will removing it doom the tree?

the limb is not causing the tree to lean. and yes the large wound will eventually kill the tree. If you explain it properly to the client they will not insist on removing the entire limb... tell them that large of a wound on the main stem will never properly compartmentalize and seal. I will ionevitably lead to a pocket of decay that will fail with all that hard leaning weight above it. It might take 2-030 years, but eventually it will kill the tree.

Both the tree and the limb are simply simply reaching for the light. With a well connected pin oak limb, it will not be prone to storm failure, but it is getting mighty long and over-extended, so eventually it could fail in a storm. The solution is always going to be taking some weight off the branch tips. I'd take on of the two stems at the main fork, and possibly not the entire limb, but cut back to a lateral within a few feet of the crotch, and then lightne up the lower side with a few 1-2" type cuts.

but you don;t have to go that hard.
It's not threatening any valuableobstacles, so you could just leave it as is.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

There is lots of good advice in this thread.

When it comes time to make the sale have a print out of the whole thread. You could fancy it up with some Highlights. Let your client know that this discussion is peer to peer, all professional arborists.

 

[TreeVB]

There is lots of good advice in this thread.

When it comes time to make the sale have a print out of the whole thread. You could fancy it up with some Highlights. Let your client know that this discussion is peer to peer, all professional arborists.

Sound advice. Also add in that the tree itself can be considered a valuable target so pruning to minimize bio mechanical failure should be considered.

 

[southsoundtree]

Leave it alone or lateral reduction.

Owner doesn't know what he's talking about?



Would he want it if he had to pay to have it done?

 

[Matias]

Would he want it if he had to pay to have it done?

Always the real question in these situations.

 

[Basswood]

why would he not be paying?

 

[Matias]

why would he not be paying?

I thought he said it was for a neighbor/friend, but I don't see that now, so I don't know.

 

[Mick Dempsey]

why would he not be paying?

I think Winchman just does treework free for friends, for the pleasure, he’s 70ish I think.

 

[Winchman]

I've never charged anyone for doing tree work because I don't want the hassle of running a business. If they'll let me climb their trees and get some good physical and mental exercise, the least I can do is a little useful work.

 

[Basswood]

Aye, dangerous work to do for free man. Why not just rec climb?

 

[Matias]

Aye, dangerous work to do for free man. Why not just rec climb?

How much safer I would be without the work aspect, I don't know. Climbing is inherently dangerous, and having a purpose makes it feel more justified to me.