What to do with this conifer?

[jt101]

Hi. I have an elderly client (I'm not a tree surgeon), who has been advised to totally remove this conifer.  It seems a bit extreme and will leave a huge gap and has asked my advice.  It's mid January here in London but considering they don't lose all their leaves, it does look a bit sparse at the top.  Is it dying?  Could it just be chopped down to the denser green part which would keep it same height as surrounding bushes?   Thanks guys

[matt padden]

Hard to tell exactly what type of tree it is but looks like a Lawson cypress. It's definitely looking sparse on top but looking at the second photo it seems to be yellowing at the bottom, so could be too much water or iron deficiency or something else stressing it out. I doubt any remedial work will turn the tide. 

I'd take it down to the height of the rest of the hedge, as you've nothing to lose and it maintains a screen. If it continues to die-off take it out completely then.

[Mick Dempsey]

It’s yellow because it’s a Castlewelwyn or some other variant.

 

Its toast, take it out.

Edited 15 hours ago by Mick Dempsey

[daveatdave]

it's had it all the ivy will not have helped it also there seems to be a second tree stem behind that looks dead  

[AHPP]

(Semi) playing devil's advocate here, is this not a rare occurence where topping a conifer might be a good move? The client wants the screening. Top it and let it grow back like a massive pineapple (or die trying). There's not a lot round it so a future, bigger removal wouldn't be much more of a problem.

[Mesterh]

If they really, really want to keep it then top it at the height of the hedge and spread some horse manure at the base. It may help it out but its a last ditch effort at best, otherwise fell and replant. 

[Mick Dempsey]

 You could top it, wait and see if they want, why not?

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Mick Dempsey
Feeling more mellow this morning.

[Dan Maynard]

If you look at the second photo it's only properly green for the first three feet up, pretty sparse at the top of hedge line. Do nothing for a year and it'll become clear which way it's going but I don't see it coming back.

 

Easier job taking the whole thing out, personally I wouldn't charge less for topping it than felling. I have been asked to cut spruce trees down to 8 foot before because the customer thought it would be cheaper than felling.

[woody paul]

Get rid of it and replant will something else to fill gap. 

I had a customer with a row of Thuja that did the same, topped them and with in 2 months I was back there to fell them. 

Edited 1 hour ago by woody paul

[Mark Bolam]

I’d top it to hedge height if I couldn’t convince them to fell it, but like Dan the cost would be the same.

I’d also explain, and put in writing, that it will almost certainly die anyway so they will be paying twice.