A family member hired an arborist to trim two ~70yo, 80ft tall pine trees in their backyard, and while the arborist explained the rationale thoroughly, I'm honestly taken aback by how much density was removed and the overall aesthetics. The first photo is current, second photo is from a few months ago.
For context, the trees have lost some larger branches over the years, including snapping during a snowstorm and damaging the fence, which you can see. The yard was a marshy area a century ago, so it does tend to pool water during heavy rainstorms and it gets soft.
The arborist said they were leaning toward the house, and because of the shallow roots and soft ground, and if it's too top heavy, it could topple.
Was the trimming excessive? Are the trees just too large/risky to have in a residential area? If it was excessive, is there any chance of recovery, or is the next move just to cut them down? I grew up with these trees at my childhood home, and they sustained so much wildlife.
The tree on the right isn't even done being chopped — the backyard neighbor saw them working and is hiring them to do their side.
by Skanonymously
13 Comments
This is a nightmare. These look awful. If the trees are a threat to the house they need to be removed. You cannot dwarf a white pine at this stage, certainly not without ruining its appearance. I have no idea what the goal was here but these trees will be 80 ft tall again in a few years, just as much of a threat and my god did I mention what an awful pruning job this is?
Butchery
For added context, here’s a drone video I took of the trees in March 2021, so coming up on 5 years of growth since then: https://streamable.com/qk8xzb
Are you sure they were an arborist? ISA certified?
That would was NOT a certified arborist
Hack job.
Whoever trimmed these is no arborist. You NEVER trim a pine unless it’s an immediate hazard, which this doesn’t appear to be. Absolute scam
You can prune pines for a variety of reasons same as any other species. Reducing or removing limbs that interact with structures is a common one. Height reductions and containment on Mugo pine is a common and appropriate practice. Raising lower canopy for foot traffic, clearance from parking spaces, deadwooding, etc…
This particular pruning pictured is entirely wack for sure, but a blanket statement like “never prune pines” is not correct or practicable in urban arboriculture.
Maybe r/treelaw
Always be wary of any Arborist who confidently claims he can “make a tree safe” by pruning it. In mature trees, significant levels of risk reduction are near-impossible to attain without adversely affecting tree health.
There’s zero chance this person knew what they were doing
Hack. Job.
Wtf