Title says it all. Tree in the front yard appeared to be dying so I had an arborist take it down this morning. Neighbor came over and expressed their disappointment in the tree being taken down. Now I’m second guessing myself. Am I overthinking this??
by benj4495
44 Comments
Was it beautiful? Ya. But I can totally see why you cut it down. Dying back and large included union so dont worry about it
I understand why you took it down, but I’d still be disappointed to see a tree like that go. And yes, it’s beautiful. Apart from being a maple (unless I’m mistaken) it brought shade, greenery, probably birds and squirrels.
Neither of you are wrong.
Previously topped, co-dominant maples aren’t typically considered to be much more than a future disaster. It probably could have been nursed along for a few years, but there are obvious signs of decline. I’d just replace it with a new and nicer tree, and NEVER have it topped?
I know that truck! Way to hire a reputable company! its tough going against all the fly by nights. The dead tips at the top are a giveaway for a vascular system issue. Normally caused by insects or issues in the root system. If its roots, this tree is too old to reasonably and cheaply correct, if its insects or vascular infection it will require constant treatment which will cost you over time. Totally fine to remove, after all it’s your tree!
The neighbors have looked at that tree for 35 years several times a day. With all of their comings and goings The neighborhood landscape has changed. It’s like the white house on a corner that new owners painted dark blue. The daily view has changed.
This tree at least shows signs of real risk, so I’d say you are in the right. Find out if your city has a tree-planting program and get a new sucker put in next spring. Love it, care for it, and start the next generation of shade-giving tree.
You’re definitely not in South Bend where this would be considered a baby tree.
Have the city plant a new one in your parkway!
Every tree, including the ugly ones, are beautiful in their own way. But some of em still gotta come down.
Well it’s too late now..plant a new one!
You had the money to take it down. Spend much less money to put a small tree in its place.
Good ole Davey Tree
All trees are beautiful.
It may not have been a perfect tree, but it was a tree and now there there is none. Way to go.
Lots of tip die back, multi stems, broken branches from storm damage, and that close to your home. Nah, you made the right choice here. But the first commenter guy hit the nail on the head with his explanation of the neighbors.
Are you missing something??? Yea, the tree and any knowledge of trees in an urban environment!
Plant a new one or a replacement. Everyone wins!!
Plant the new one closer to the sidewalk.
Just needed a really good trim imo, but it is a little to close to the house so I get it. The roots dying will slowly settle and you’ll see some new lumps in your yard
It was a beautiful tree.
I had a neighbor who did this. The tree was there for like 100 years. You show up and now it’s gone. You will not be there as long as it was. You just showed up and made a decision and it’s gone. It is tragic. Even if you made the right call, it’s still tragic.
I see a tree with a single dead limb.
I too had a single dead limb.
No-one cut me down. They just removed my limb.
You may have just padded the pockets of a tree cutting scam artist. Congradulations.
Without more accurate and detailed pictures, I’m on the tree’s side, not yours’.
Yes, you’re missing that beautiful mature tree. A few dead limbs doesn’t mean a tree is dying, although it looks like there was possibly some heart rot in the stump; did you consult the arborist about the tree’s health, or just ask for removal? It takes decades for a tree to reach that size, so it’s definitely a big loss that neighbors will feel if they’ve enjoyed the tree for years, but if it WAS in poor health and a risk for damage to houses, tell the neighbors so they understand it was for the best.
Appeared to be dying?
Looking at the bottom trunk . It looks like it was rotten in the center .
The street looks pretty barren. It wasn’t the best placed tree but in the meanwhile nobody else is bothered to plant real shade trees on the street along the strip. This is typical unfortunately. There is nothing like a residential street lined in trees and the only way to really do it is out of your pocket. But for some strange reason, in some places it just doesn’t happen, and people put low value, But it actually increases the value of the neighborhood if it’s done well
NO! Look at the rotting stump it was a matter of time and it would of broke off in a wind storm. You did the right thing. Get the stump ground out and plant another one,
La tête dépéri, il semble y avoir une fourche incluse dans laquelle je vois des signes de pourriture.
Aussi, on voit beaucoup de gourmands ce qui est mauvais signe. C’est un cas d’abattage selon moi.
Everyone is cutting every tree down and now there is no shade or habitat for all of the local species of animals that rely on them. I hope you plant more trees to replace the one you cut down. Even if the trees are dying. That means that we need to plant more. It is 90 degrees in October. Ecology is collapsing.
Yes. A tree
I couldn’t help but notice there isn’t a single tree in your neighbors front yards.
The tree was far from dying. Bold move, but you’re a bold person who doesn’t mind being ostracized.
“I intend to plant a healthy new tree whose shade I shall never sit under”
Plant a new one!
Tree was beautiful and your block is lacking old growth trees it seems
Losing trees is hard. It changes the world for wildlife too. Plant another tree or two or five. 🤓
Davey didn’t care.
Honestly, the tree was beautiful. It hurts my soul to see them go.
You could have had the arborist just cut off the bare branches and left the rest of the tree as is.
You did a bad thing. Trees are sacred. I mean this seriously.
You fucked up. I did the same once too. A nice prune would have cleaned up the tree nicely. Most companies sells the removal option because of $$$.
Plant another tree for the future generation to enjoy.
Jesus christ the front looks even more lifeless and depressing now
Was it your tree, on your property? If yes, then don’t worry about it. Shit happens. The world, environment around us, and landscape changes. Your neighbor will survive, despite their real and understandable disappointment. Do everyone, yourself included, a favor by planting something beautiful there. They will come to appreciate that too.
Who made the call about the tree dieing. You? Looks like it has a lot of vitality.