This is fairly typical ...

[CutHighnLetFly]

@monkeylove if it had to happen, i would try to maybe do it in phases. You can girdle the stem doing something like that in one session. Half that height the first year, the rest the year or next after.

 

[monkeylove]

@monkeylove if it had to happen, i would try to maybe do it in phases. You can girdle the stem doing something like that in one session. Half that height the first year, the rest the year or next after.

I just gave a guy a quote to take 4 limbs off after I told him I would not even quote 8 major limbs in a single pruning year. I did tell him though that if he finds someone who will make that aggressive of a pruning to let me know in a couple years when it's dead and needs to be removed. He must of got my point, I got the job. Sometimes you just have to say what you're really thinking, lol.

 

[Treezybreez]

There used to be a couple of magnificent old oaks in a yard that I drive past all the time. They had never been topped. They had massive branches that were evenly spaced and cascaded out around them as if to say, "look at the strength of my timbers and the merry doves that take shelter in the cool shade of my vibrant foliage". Occasionally I would cringe as a half nude, obese fellow would be riding by on a mower. "Oh well", I thought, "at least he has some beautiful trees". Then one day as I was driving past, all the branches had vanished and all that remained was a couple of mutilated trunks with only a sprig for a top. The fat man's lust for lawn had taken its toll. The glorious strength of the Oaks were no more.

 

[JD3000]

People and their lawns.

Sigh.

 

[Daniel]

In the very rare occasion I have to take such a large limb, we have left a long stub of 3+ feet. The thought is at least it will sprout, and take more time for decay to get into the trunk. I can only think of once or twice in the past 11 years where this applied.

that all depends... mostly I can talk the client out of removing the limb so its not needed, but I like leaving stubs and do it without hesitation, just about anything to avoid a large wound on the trunk!

 

[Daniel]

I try to cut just outside of the collar. If it's not real clear where the collar is I'll cut out an extra two or three inches.

me too.. been doing it for years... the stub can always be removed later.. anyone that claims the science doesn't support such practices might have something to learn about science. Unfortunately the paradigm is VERY SLOW to change in this industry.. I've been waiting 8 years on one such stub..

 

[johnboy]

Janky tree care. But...c'est la vie

 

[SomethingWitty]

People and their lawns.

Sigh.

I feel this all the time.
Like really often.

I think I need a drink now.

 

[JD3000]

Way ahead of you on that count.

Cheers!