Hi, I moved into my property last year and have spent the last year getting my back garden ready to relax in. I have been caring for my elderly neighbours front garden, mowing the lawn and pruning the hydrangeas, however, last week she asked if I could cut this tree back (a Lawson cypress according to PicThis app) as it’s gotten so big she is no longer receiving any morning day light and I have no clue what I am doing.
This is a picture of the tree and the inside I can see what has been done before.
Any advise on what tools I should use, where I should start and in general what I should do would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Previous work was done by the guy who owned the property before me.
by McKintilloch
17 Comments
If you cut this back hard, it won’t reshoot – not a lot of conifers do. So really it’s a case of doing a minor trim, leaving it alone, or removing it all together.
It’s got a nice shape.
Get a ladder and take the tips off. Start at the front work your way back get down have a look and repeat until you’re happy 😃
If you aren’t attached and willing to please your neighbour, I would suggest taking the whole thing out, it isn’t going to be attractive with further hacking back. Looking at the distance from the nearby property, it is difficult to see how it might be blocking light. Is it more she just doesn’t like it?
Honestly, whilst I realise you’re trying to help, I’d have a chat with your neighbour and let her know you’re not an arborist and you don’t know the best way to handle this tree.
Suggest she calls a tree care service.
If you go at it and ruin/kill it then you have to live next to her.
This tree has nothing left to cut back. You cut anymore you’d need to cut it down
Unless she is buying you a new tree, id leave it.
I’m confused about whether it’s your tree or hers?
Make sure no birds are nesting in it before you do anything to it. Should be easy enough to check if you can get inside.
First figure out the costs involved before you make a commitment. You might want neighbour to take up the cost and they may not mind a little less sunlight when the costs are known.
All you can do realistically is top it again to the same height as before
Either borrow a chainsaw or get one of those large tree saws. The problem is the stump.
As I presume she is an older and possible vulnerable person you could assist in helping her choose a reputable contractor.
This isn’t a major piece of work, does she want it trimmed or reduced? Trimmed could be done from the ground with a pole hedgecutter, reduction as well to some extent with a pole chainsaw. Both need operator experience, care and understanding of the plants needs.
Check they have the appropriate insurance and agree a price in writing before work starts.
It’s already done really. Just take it out.
I would just take the tree down.
I kinda disagree with the other comments saying get a pro in to take it down. A good tree saw, one branch at a time and that’s easily doable. And it’s a free workout.
The advantage of a pro is that they’ll shred it all as well.
https://preview.redd.it/6j2yz18zaxxe1.jpeg?width=213&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=642ef7e9c51e68645a6e7ce581fd02820d8aabc0
If removing is your preferred option then start off with a hand saw. The limbs do not look very wide. You may even be able to pull down on a few of them and snap them to make things easier.
If you are comfortable using a chainsaw or know someone that is, then this should only take about 10 minutes (excluding the stump).
Stump!!! So if you remove everything excluding the stump at no cost then the money you would have spent on an arborist can now be spent on an arborist with a stump grinder.
Or…leave the stump and hide it with gnomes, place potted plants around it, put a birdbath on it, squirrel/bird feeder etc. A nice bit of habitat for insect if you leave it.
Hope it goes well.
Given how woody the shrub is, I suspect if you cut back it won’t regrow. Have that discussion with your neighbour. Plant something else.
A hazel is a better option. It gives lovely interest in late winter, early spring and has leaves into the autumn and is easily managed and shaped via pruning.
If it were me, I would look to chop it down completely. Take down each upright stem individually until you’re left with a crown at the base. If you’re confident enough and have the tools for the job (i.e. a big enough chain saw), cut the stump down as low as you can.
To save having to grind the stump or dig out the roots, get a big planter, knock the bottom out of it and put if over the stump. Fill with compost and bedding plants, et voila!