Does this look like a topped redwood?

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Most of the neighbors (now including the homeowner) want the tree removed.

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MTCInc,
Unfortuanately, whether you want to hear it or not, the above statement is your answer to the actions that need to take place with this tree.
Otherwise, enormous liability falls on your shoulders.

AND unfortunately for this tree it should never have been planted in this location in the first place.
It is a fact that Redwoods do not interface well in the urban forest. There is just not enough space in urban lots for this type of tree.
The future urban forests will hopefully have learned from these tree selection mistakes (and the loss of resources) and we won't have to be subjected to such a quandary as you are in now.

Walk if you don't want to be part of its removal.

frown.gif
Sorry to sound so cold but I talk to clients in urban settings every week with redwood trees planted by previous owners for 'quick screening purposes' and the trees are just at 20-40 ft. and look so great, yet I have to tell them that these trees are not finished growing they are only beginning!!

-Diane-

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Hi Diane,

Yes, I hear what you are saying. I have a little different view on redwoods in urban locations, because I have seen, climbed, pruned and enjoyed countless of them over the years that DO work in urban settings. Take a drive through Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside, etc., and you will see enormous trees working quite well next to human infrastructure. Yes, this tree can be considered a defect, and it is true it will most likely go away, but I believe redwoods can coexist in our urban settings, even in smaller lots. I have yet to see a redwood in an urban setting that has had catostrophic failure, but I have seen numerous Oaks/Cypress and Eucs that have fallen on homes, cars, people, etc. Where does it stop? Do we not plant any trees that get large anymore if they are going to be next to homes?

I do not think that just because a tree can grow to very tall heights that it should not be a tree used in urban settings... Heck, even a city in the Bay is named after the redwoods, Redwood City! Lots of big, tall redwoods in RWC as well.

The only part of the removal I will have is writing the report.. I hate to see it go, but sounds like that is going to be the final outcome.

Thanks for you input

An afterthought: Actually, I forgot about one failure last year: A redwood top came off from a 100+' tree in Palo Alto. We pruned out the tree and I found out the tree had Botryoasphaeria, and snapped at a canker on the trunk. On another note, I am seeing tops of redwoods in a section of Menlo Park dying off... water stress? Not sure.
 
Now, Diane, if we can only hope to try to begin to convey this message to the public, the landscape and nursery industry, and, unfortunately, or own industry.

I like your take on this, and I agree based on all of the info put forth. Very sad situation, but like you say, if the only party that wants the tree is the arborist (HR said this too), then all future liability falls squarely on the arborist's shoulders, which is a shame. We that know about trees and want to save them, and help others do the same, have to be the ones to kill them. :(

-Tom

Edit: To clarify, I mean the 'right plant, right place' message... Should be a no-brainer, but instead I see more of the 'wrong plant wrong place.' I guess as arborists, we're bound to see this, and the more we know, the worse it gets.
 
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Take a drive through Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside, etc., and you will see enormous trees working quite well next to human infrastructure.

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MTCInc.,

I know this area WELL!

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I do not think that just because a tree can grow to very tall heights that it should not be a tree used in urban settings...

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I agree as long as the owner wishes to keep the tree and understands that particular tree's growth habits and any need for a maintenance program.

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I believe redwoods can coexist in our urban settings, even in smaller lots

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I have several clients with such a scenario, but I've made sure that they are well informed about the tree's habit and we have several options always 'on-the-table' as each year goes by and different situations arise as the trees grow.


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I am seeing tops of redwoods in a section of Menlo Park dying off... water stress?

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Yes, very likely. Also, its been noted that often squirrels chew on the new bark growth in that area (for moisture or nutrients)and end up girdling the stem.

All the best.

-Diane-
 
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we can only hope to try to begin to convey this message to the public, the landscape and nursery industry, and, unfortunately, or own industry

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Tom, that's right. All we can do is keep informing people.

Ultimately, humans will have to pay attention simply because trees are a source of oxygen....
no oxygen = no life.
Hopefully, it won't have to go to that level for people to wake up
wink.gif


-Diane-
 
MTC i saw that in your "save the tree" plan that you wanted to reduce the height of the tree by 15-20'. Why do you think this would be a good recommendation?
 
I don't buy into the theory that redwoods have no place in an urban setting.

As I think back on the past decades, I really can't recall ever seeing a redwood that blew over in our town.

One Giant Sequoia planted in a swampy area at a country club went over - but that's not a consideration.

Seen Douglas fir that have blown over here, and even watched a few blow over.

But Douglas fir can anchor very well here in decent soil if not irrigated much at all.

Redwoods seem like a fine choice in our area if someone does not plant it in damaged soil, and does not irrigated it from the top excessively.

If redwoods are dropping like flies in other cities, it's probably due to soil compaction, surface irrigation, or possibly a very thin horizon of soil for it to root into.

Some of the most durable trees I've observed are the ones growing out in the open that were not irrigated. The loners in the field. It's the ones that become exposed or get watered a lot that seem to have the worst problems. Because either they had thin root plates that could not handle extra exposure to wind, or the roots remained up high near the surface due to the man-made wet zone on the surface.
 
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