Discussion
I have a large London plane tree at the bottom of my garden which has two main trunks - one side is significantly higher than the other which at some point in the past has been cut right back.
Fortunately for me, there's a group of 3 other neighbours who club together to get it cut back every other year or so as it overhangs their gardens too and the leaf fall is a nuisance. It's just been cut back and there's no new growth on it which means no leaf fall in the autumn. This was done with the idea in mind that we would reduce the taller side further next spring.
I've just found out that two of the neighbours have been talking to the tree surgeon about getting it done again in the next month or so, i.e. 2 months after it was first cut.
I'm less bothered about them not discussing it with me than I am about the potential impact on the tree and ground below of cutting it so severely so soon after it was done.
I'm not interested in a row with the neighbours over it - my sole interest is in the tree itself and am concerned that a further cutting might not let it recover.
Anyone know anything about trees?
Fortunately for me, there's a group of 3 other neighbours who club together to get it cut back every other year or so as it overhangs their gardens too and the leaf fall is a nuisance. It's just been cut back and there's no new growth on it which means no leaf fall in the autumn. This was done with the idea in mind that we would reduce the taller side further next spring.
I've just found out that two of the neighbours have been talking to the tree surgeon about getting it done again in the next month or so, i.e. 2 months after it was first cut.
I'm less bothered about them not discussing it with me than I am about the potential impact on the tree and ground below of cutting it so severely so soon after it was done.
I'm not interested in a row with the neighbours over it - my sole interest is in the tree itself and am concerned that a further cutting might not let it recover.
Anyone know anything about trees?
It certainly won't be good for the tree. My approach is either a minor prune every year in the winter months or a significant reduction in winter time then leaving the tree for 3-5 years. I would only work on a tree at this time of year for safety reasons not because of leaves in peoples garden. As you said you are not looking to fall out with neighbours but it is worth standing you ground on this. If the tree does begin to complain and it is of significant size the dismantling costs will fall into your lap and it won't be cheap.
treehack said:
Any chance of a few pics, I may know a little about this type of thing;)
Sure, I'll take a couple in the morning. Cheers. 
richyb said:
It certainly won't be good for the tree. My approach is either a minor prune every year in the winter months or a significant reduction in winter time then leaving the tree for 3-5 years. I would only work on a tree at this time of year for safety reasons not because of leaves in peoples garden. As you said you are not looking to fall out with neighbours but it is worth standing you ground on this. If the tree does begin to complain and it is of significant size the dismantling costs will fall into your lap and it won't be cheap.
This is what worries me. I know f-all about trees really but even so thought it might not be the best thing for it.As far as I know, previously it was cut every other year or so. We've been here 3 years and it's only just been done so it had got pretty big. The leaves are a real PITA, but to put it in perspective, there are mature trees all along the back of the boundaries and generally in the area, very few of which have been cut in any way so it's not like my tree is the only one shedding leaves everywhere.
The neighbours are clearly keen to cut it back again but have said that the final decision is obviously ours. I'm not averse to having it cut again, but just don't want to end up with a dead tree (and the removal costs) as a result.
Going to have a chat with the neighbours tomorrow night so will hopefully sort things out. I just really wanted some more advice so I had an idea of things.
Silver said:
This is what worries me. I know f-all about trees really but even so thought it might not be the best thing for it.
As far as I know, previously it was cut every other year or so. We've been here 3 years and it's only just been done so it had got pretty big. The leaves are a real PITA, but to put it in perspective, there are mature trees all along the back of the boundaries and generally in the area, very few of which have been cut in any way so it's not like my tree is the only one shedding leaves everywhere.
The neighbours are clearly keen to cut it back again but have said that the final decision is obviously ours. I'm not averse to having it cut again, but just don't want to end up with a dead tree (and the removal costs) as a result.
Going to have a chat with the neighbours tomorrow night so will hopefully sort things out. I just really wanted some more advice so I had an idea of things.
You don't happen to live in Buckhurst Hill do you?As far as I know, previously it was cut every other year or so. We've been here 3 years and it's only just been done so it had got pretty big. The leaves are a real PITA, but to put it in perspective, there are mature trees all along the back of the boundaries and generally in the area, very few of which have been cut in any way so it's not like my tree is the only one shedding leaves everywhere.
The neighbours are clearly keen to cut it back again but have said that the final decision is obviously ours. I'm not averse to having it cut again, but just don't want to end up with a dead tree (and the removal costs) as a result.
Going to have a chat with the neighbours tomorrow night so will hopefully sort things out. I just really wanted some more advice so I had an idea of things.
Edited by treehack on Wednesday 4th May 22:48
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