Ask Twice Cut Once

[Brennan Wilkins]

I have a fairly good sized tree in my yard that has two large low hanging (they almost touch the ground at the ends of them). I'd like to cut them off so we can actually walk under the tree, but I don't want to damage it. Would it be ok to cut them both off?

 

[Brocky]

Hi Brennan, looks okay to cut them off, maybe even a little more. The tree looks to be vigorously growing so some pruning won't hurt it.

One thing I did notice from one of the pictures is a girdling root which could effect the tree's future growth. There is a thread on here about root excavation and girdling roots somewhere, but I couldn't find it.

 

[JD3000]

2nd

 

[southsoundtree]

Yes and no.

Prune the limbs properly with targeted Pruning cuts at the 'branch Collar', using a 'three-point/cut pruning technique'.

All live wood cutting hurts the tree. This as reasonable Pruning, and done properly should not have any significant detrimental impact.



Google is your friend.
"Stem-googling root pruning"

"Root collar excavation"

 

[Brocky]

And definitely give it a big hug after you're done.

 

[SomethingWitty]

Yes and no.

Prune the limbs properly with targeted Pruning cuts at the 'branch Collar', using a 'three-point/cut pruning technique'.

All live wood cutting hurts the tree. This as reasonable Pruning, and done properly should not have any significant detrimental impact.



Google is your friend.
"Stem-googling root pruning"

"Root collar excavation"

Stem-girdling?

 

[JD3000]

I googled once while root pruning.

 

[JeffGu]

You told me you were grinding your stump when you did that.

 

[guymayor]

Removing lower limbs increases the center of gravity and the risk, and increases stress on the roots, so take it easy.

Reducing limbs to a lateral side branch is often more proper than cuts made back to the origin.

And yes that big circling root is a potential problem; best to address that in September. Moving dirt away to see more of that root would help a lot.

 

[colb]

Once gone, they don't easily come back.

Humans view over-raised trees as alien because they are/feel unclimbable, and thus offer no refuge from predators. The fact that you cannot walk under the tree also means that it is probably still climbable.

Conversely, humans also wish to see everything, and low limbs inhibit visual prospect.

You may wish to achieve balance between these two contrasting elements, or accentuate one or the other.

As noted by @guymayor, a little targeted reduction pruning may be in order, taking smaller diameter wood off. The rest of the fellas are also right - the tree is small enough/healthy enough that it will likely heal as good as possible if you make good pruning cuts. A skilled pruner can reduce codominance at the main junction by cutting up higher in small wood, get you a bit of walking space, and foster the sense of refuge.

See works of Appleton in the architectural field and Gordon Orions in the evolutionary ecology field (prospect refuge theory), and Levi-strauss from the field of anthropology (contrast sets).