To far gone to cable, 10 year staged removal?

[evo]

The bad fork is low. Take the strain off, give it some support. Plant some more trees for the longer term.

Guy, by "reduce" can you spec what you mean?

This is certainly more so forest management, but this tree and the maples are the most highly valuable.

I cannot speak for Guy, but I've heard him mention 10% height/crown reduction before.

I am not under estimating the reaction wood/callus, I know that stuff is strong as shite. If/when the fork splits out, all the callus wood would still be intact.

 

[southsoundtree]

Topping is Civil War Doctor style.
You can reshape the conifer crown, as desired, from a high TIP, then reduce the top based on anatomy and with insight into regrowth and management... That's reduction pruning, in my mind.

 

[evo]

Topping is Civil War Doctor style.
You can reshape the conifer crown, as desired, from a high TIP, then reduce the top based on anatomy and with insight into regrowth and management... That's reduction pruning, in my mind.

Lipstick on a pig in my book. Sure it can look better, be organic/cruelty free lipstick, but reducing a top on a single stemmed conifer is still taking the top off.

 

[guymayor]

Your definition of topping is the same as the British standard's definition. The A300's is more useful imo. No reason to fear the practice that southsound describes. The topping that you suggested would be called "ruining" in parts of Europe.

I reduced a dawn redwood 2 years ago with a 4" cut during a utility prune. It did not sprout madly the first year. I'll take pics when I reinspect this summer (the tree is still under litigation).

The 4" cut was proper pruning--and not because it was painted! lol http://www.historictreecare.com/putting-nerc-to-work-standard-utility-pruning/