Silver birch over prune?? Please Help

[laura9988]

Hi, 

 

My first post. 

 

Having our silver birch pruned today and we think that he has massively over pruned 

 

Please could anyone offer advise. Please see before and after photos of tree.

 

Thank you

[woody paul]

Depending on what you asked for and what was agreed on. 

[trigger_andy]

That was a beautiful tree before. Why did you want it messed with?

[laura9988]

Hi, just simply wanted it pruning back due to size.

[sime42]

26 minutes ago, laura9988 said:

Hi, 

 

My first post. 

 

Having our silver birch pruned today and we think that he has massively over pruned 

 

Please could anyone offer advise. Please see before and after photos of tree.

 

Thank you

 

That's looks a bit over pruned to me. As little as possible is best with Birch in my experience, as they don't respond well to pruning, they over compensate with new growth. That bit in the middle at the top looks odd too, not been thinned at all.

 

What was agreed on before work started?

[Mark Bolam]

Birches don’t respond well to pruning, every cut turns into a rot pocket.

 

They’re best left alone, and only pruned lightly if necessary.

 

The problem is the secateur diameter cuts required for this won’t tolerate a 80kg climber anywhere near them.

 

I normally recommend letting them grow  until you can’t put up with them any more, then remove and replant with something more suited to the location.

 

Nice trees, but they can get big.

Too big for most gardens.

[Ferguson system]

9 minutes ago, Mark Bolam said:

Birches don’t respond well to pruning, every cut turns into a rot pocket.

 

They’re best left alone, and only pruned lightly if necessary.

 

The problem is the secateur diameter cuts required for this won’t tolerate a 80kg climber anywhere near them.

 

I normally recommend letting them grow  until you can’t put up with them any more, then remove and replant with something more suited to the location.

 

Nice trees, but they can get big.

Too big for most gardens.

I agree 100%. Ideally they should be left alone until old age or removed. They tolerate the crown being raised (if done properly), but not reductions.

[openspaceman]

26 minutes ago, Mark Bolam said:

Birches don’t respond well to pruning, every cut turns into a rot pocket.

 

They’re best left alone, and only pruned lightly if necessary.

 

The problem is the secateur diameter cuts required for this won’t tolerate a 80kg climber anywhere near them.

 

I normally recommend letting them grow  until you can’t put up with them any more, then remove and replant with something more suited to the location.

 

Nice trees, but they can get big.

Too big for most gardens.

Cue @Mick Dempsey 🙂

[laura9988]

Thanks for everyone's comments. 

[Mark Bolam]

I nearly tagged him!

 

’Nonsense, they love a good pollarding!’

[Con]

2 hours ago, laura9988 said:

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by Con