Silver Maple Elevation - Timelapse

TheArborMan

TheArborMan

Location
Michigan
http://youtu.be/TduEySEzxi8

1 hour 45 minutes shown in 2 minutes. Originally the homeowner wanted the lower right branch cut all the way back, and the lead going over the house completely removed. I talked them into just elevating/cleaning. Brad was on the right side of the tree, I'm on the left. The tree hadn't been touched in a long time. The downward growing limbs didn't really have anything to reduce to... Looks like we over elevated/lionstailed a little.

I'm finding it hard to shoot most trees we work on, the camera has to be so far away to capture the whole tree. Just ordered a wide angle lens and will be interested to see if it makes much difference...
 
But precisely what is really best for the tree?

I would be a hypocrite if I didn't admit to doing much the same type of pruning and raising as shown in this vid by ArborMan early in my career. And your client's preferences, particularly concerning branches over their home, cannot be easily dismissed ot ignored if you want to keep that client's business in the future.

But assuming you know what's "best" for the tree moreso than the tree itself does can be a perilous road to go down. Particularly once you understand atleast to some degree, why a tree species grows the way it does. The very branches you pruned off that maple are critical to the branch's caliper growth, and therefore its strength and integrity in terms of its attachment to the trunk.

In my opinion, the exact opposite of what you did, pruning back each branch's terminal leader a bit, while leaving the branches you cut off intact, is far more beneficial to the tree, and in line with the tree's natural growth pattern, in my opinion.

This type of pruning I'm describing is far more difficult to do as a climber because getting out to the terminal ends far enough to cut them back to a lateral leader aint easy to do. Ideally the best way to do this type of terminal reduction pruning is with a bucket or crane. However it can be done by a skilled climber who chooses his tie in points carefully, perhaps in combination with redirects.

Please don't think I'm being critical of your work ArborMan.
A happy client is a good client who'll call you back in the future. I'm just suggesting that what we as arborists do to trees to keep our clients happy, may not necessarily be what's best for the tree.

I've been at this long enough to take my cues from each tree species' natural growth habits, while minimizing my cuts enough to satisfy my structural safety goals in the most effective manner possible, while maintaining each tree's natural growth pattern as much as possible.

Now feel free to tell me to get out the heck out of your thread with my naturalistic BS bro!

jomoco
 
jomoco,

I agree with you. Kinda goes along with the thought of "Trees have been taking care of themselves for far longer than humans have."

The idea of what really is "best" can long be debated. It's more about "at least a hack didn't top it or lion tail every limb" for me at least.

A healthy relationship between a home owner and their trees is the biggest challenge for arborists. Although stressful at times I enjoy the challenge.
 
Jomoco. I agree we could have done better for the tree. At this point though, I don't think we get paid to do whats best for the tree all the time. Its a balance between customer wants/needs and whats good for the tree. Had someone pruned that tree 5, 10 or 20 years ago it wouldn't have been so drastic this time around...

I would like to barrow murphys ride some time and reduce a large canopy like that.
 
Thanks for not being offended at my well intentioned blathering ArborMan.

I think you're a great climber.

jomoco
 
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