Sweet gum on property line, HOs disagree on limb removal

[Winchman]

Here's the tree.

A couple years ago they agreed on removing lower limbs because of all the gum balls. I started work on the right side, but HO there asked me to stop after I'd removed several limbs from her side. Left side HO was disappointed, but didn't press for me to continue. Now he's wanting the limbs gone again and has raised concerns about the limb that's parallel to the trunk being "weakly attached" to the main trunk and just looking "wrong". I'm pretty sure I can get the right side HO's OK if there really is a structural issue.

Is there anything inherently weak about that limb growing straight up and parallel to the main trunk like that?

 

[Matias]

Here's the tree.
View attachment 97427
A couple years ago they agreed on removing lower limbs because of all the gum balls. I started work on the right side, but HO there asked me to stop after I'd removed several limbs from her side. Left side HO was disappointed, but didn't press for me to continue. Now he's wanting the limbs gone again and has raised concerns about the limb that's parallel to the trunk being "weakly attached" to the main trunk and just looking "wrong". I'm pretty sure I can get the right side HO's OK if there really is a structural issue.

Is there anything inherently weak about that limb growing straight up and parallel to the main trunk like that?

It looks like it's developing a bark inclusion at that acute angle. It is a large attachment though, so making that big cut right on the main trunk could be worse than a heavy reduction. Shame nobody worried about it until you came along.

 

[southsoundtree]

I could find problems with virtually any tree, now, or regarding what may come, including every tree at my property.

I tell customers this regularly.

Every tree has some risk.





The neighbor can probably do as they want on their side of the property line.

 

[Basswood]

It’s surely a weakly attached branch, looks like an epicormic that was left to grow.

However, that’s a large wound at the trunk.

These are the types of decisions that can make my head spin because there is no right answer.

I would probably lean toward reducing the weight of that limb rather than full removal.

 

[Winchman]

What sort of cut would be best and how far up for weight reduction? Sloped cut to reduce the chance of it collecting debris and staying moist seems appropriate.

 

[Lumberjack]

If neighbors don’t get along and agree with the plan, I don’t work on the property line. This concept applies here.

 

[Winchman]

I agree with that /\/\.

I think things would have been fine if I had worked on the left side first to remove the worst limbs. Dumb move on my part to do the easy stuff first. If there's a reason other than the number of gum balls maybe I can do something for the left side HO without upsetting the lady next door.

Unfortunately, I doubt anyone can tell the difference between 50,000 and 35,000 gum balls without counting.

 

[Matias]

I agree with that /\/\.

I think things would have been fine if I had worked on the left side first to remove the worst limbs. Dumb move on my part to do the easy stuff first. If there's a reason other than the number of gum balls maybe I can do something for the left side HO without upsetting the lady next door.

Unfortunately, I doubt anyone can tell the difference between 50,000 and 35,000 gum balls without counting.

yea, that is such a dumb reason for pruning those low branches, as the growth stimulus to the remaining, and especially more vigorous growing parts of the tree will send more balls, and cast them further still from the more rapidly elongating tops.

 

[Njdelaney]

If they want to retain that upright, offer to cable it and see if they're still serious. Could end up being a way to learn a new skillset. You could even tie it off with loose knots using appropriate cordage. Many ways to skin this cat without pissing someone off.

 

[ATH]

Yeah, first and foremost, I'd highlight that you aren't reducing fruit by pruning. There are injection products advertised to reduce fruit, but I've read mixed success - very difficult to time it exactly right.

I'd also be hesitant to remove and leave a big wound on the trunk. How concerning that is is all about the attachment - which is not very visible in that pic. IF I were to prune it, based only on one pic, I'm thinking I'd either make 2 cuts at yellow or one at red mark:

 

[Winchman]

I ran into the lady and her daughter while walking this afternoon. At the end of our walk we looked at the tree as I explained the potential problem with the limb and what I'd be doing to reduce the risk. She said it would be OK, and I told her I'd start in the morning.

Then her daughter called an hour later to tell me her mother had changed her mind. She loves the tree and just can't stand the idea of trimming the limb. I'm going to leave it alone and hope for the best. As my wife says, "The worst possible thing hardly ever happens."

Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

 

[Njdelaney]

So much drama for so little consequence.

 

[Matias]

So much drama for so little consequence.

for real

 

[27RMT0N]

Unfortunately, I doubt anyone can tell the difference between 50,000 and 35,000 gum balls without counting.

I tell people this all the time when they complain about needles or fir cones on their roofs or decks... Like, we live in the woods man, 6 limbs off 1 of 100 trees around you won't change a thing.

 

[islandarb]

If neighbors don’t get along and agree with the plan, I don’t work on the property line. This concept applies here.

100% agree. I run.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

100% agree. I run.

I had a guy who wanted a property line to the sky flat prune on his neighbors tree. I asked if he had talked to neighbor. No…and then the F Bombs started. When I told him I wouldn’t write an estimate he made me nervous. As I stepped towards my van I wrote an estimate for $7,000. On a $300 trim. Folded up the estimate and walked away quickly. He howled. I told him that if I did the job I would end up in court do I wanted to be sure I got paid ahead of time. I jumped in my van and zoomed away at. Glad he didn’t attack me

 

[Matias]

I had a guy who wanted a property line to the sky flat prune on his neighbors tree. I asked if he had talked to neighbor. No…and then the F Bombs started. When I told him I wouldn’t write an estimate he made me nervous. As I stepped towards my van I wrote an estimate for $7,000. On a $300 trim. Folded up the estimate and walked away quickly. He howled. I told him that if I did the job I would end up in court do I wanted to be sure I got paid ahead of time. I jumped in my van and zoomed away at. Glad he didn’t attack me

some people's children

Edit: I worry that my comment is being misunderstood. I meant that the unwanted would be client was acting like a ridiculous teenager that never developed past junior year of highschool. I hope I didn't offend anyone.

 

[ATH]

I had a guy who wanted a property line to the sky flat prune on his neighbors tree. I asked if he had talked to neighbor. No…and then the F Bombs started. When I told him I wouldn’t write an estimate he made me nervous. As I stepped towards my van I wrote an estimate for $7,000. On a $300 trim. Folded up the estimate and walked away quickly. He howled. I told him that if I did the job I would end up in court do I wanted to be sure I got paid ahead of time. I jumped in my van and zoomed away at. Glad he didn’t attack me

Not enough...gotta be able to cover:
3x damages should neighbor win
lawyer fees
lost time
headaches of people I don't want to deal with

But good plan...chase them away with the bid.