River Birch help

Raven27 · Apr 24, 2018

I have no experience trimming these, but thought I had read they don't handle trimming, especially what customer wants done, very well.
They want to remove the whole leader on the left that is leaning toward/over roof. It has been getting lower over the last couple of years. I thought taking that much would possibly kill the tree their initial thoughts were to take the whole tree down, but it does look nice in front of the house. They're worried about it eventually coming down on the house. I thought cabling wouldn't work here either?

Apparently I can't attach the photo, but it's a large leader on a 3 stem River Birch, about 12"-14" at base, maybe 35'-40' long. fairly heavy lean over/toward roof.

Tom Dunlap · Apr 24, 2018

I learned the hard way that paper birches do NOT tolerate lateral limb reductions. Paper birch are less tolerant than river

I got to the point that I wouldn't take any more than about 10% from any individual branch or sub-branch. When I took more it seemed like I'd be back in 2-3 years and find the whole branch dead

Not always though

If you and your client are willing to take the chance that what they want might kill the tree...get it in writing and signed...take a little less and give it a go

Raven27 · Apr 24, 2018

Yeah, Thats my fear, i think taking this much, which equates to roughly 1/3rd of the tree, It's going to die in the long run. They did originally want the whole thing gone , though, so maybe removal is best option??

JD3000 · Apr 24, 2018

River doesn't much care for it here either. Keep cuts small if you're in a region where they are frequently exposed to physiological stress. Putting together an "after care" program for them to follow may be wise. Mulching, water if need be, etc

Raven27 · Apr 24, 2018

They don't want to risk trimming it and then having to come back and if/when it dies, they decided to just remove it.

flyingsquirrel25 · Apr 25, 2018

River birch around here doesn’t much care what you do to them. Full on a300 drop crotch reduction 25% or heavier and they will put that much and more back on in the next couple years. I will admit though they don’t like the large cuts but if it must be done it’s best to get it over with early. 2-3” is our standard maximum reduction. Anything bigger and there is normally an extenuating circumstance that is way over due for correction.