Hollow Beech - reduce or fell?

[Ben Moss]

Just wondering what advice people would have for this Beech I looked at today. At the cavity (pictured) I'd say the main stem is approx 70% hollow accross and hollow from cavity to below ground level . No signs of fungi. The owner would like to retain the tree. Thanks.

[showoffsummer]

Is that a house in the background?, my personal opinion is to remove it, it dosent look good.

 

Cheers ciaran glyde

[andy2]

Depends how much the owner wants to spend, as you could reduce it back over many years but i doubt the cleint will want to pay loads tho.how far is the house away as thats is the deciding factor

[slack ma girdle]

If it is leaning towards the house, reduce the canopy.

If it is leaning away from the house, and there are no houses, roads or public footpaths, then leave it alone to do its thing.

[David Humphries]

Depends on distance to targets really.

 

 

 

 

Have a look at what I did with this one.......

 

Hollow Beech

 

 

 

 

 

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[Ben Moss]

The house is far enough away, however there is a workshop close by so there will be people walking around. My first thought was to fell but as the client wants to keep it I'm considering a severe 50% reduction. Any thoughts?

[Ben Moss]

Very Nice Monkey D.

[David Humphries]

Very Nice Monkey D.

 

The point being that a phased reduction is probably the best option for the tree if the client really wants to retain it.

 

Anything too harsh will more than likely lead to a shock that the tree won't recover from.

 

What ever you persuade the client into, I'd be keen to hear how it turns out.

 

Appreciate you keeping us updated

 

 

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[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

its a rare tree that cant be made safe with thoughtful pruning

[Ben Moss]

Thanks for the reply. What size reductions would you recommend and over what time span?