birch dilema

[simonm]

so phone rang customer wants a multi stem sycamore dismanteling and a silver birch pruning! the birch has been "pruned" before! well basically its just been cut in half "butchered" would be a more fitting word! now my problem is 1. ive not had much to do with silver birch before 2. my understanding is that its a tree that doesnt really like to be reduced much and 3. i dont want to do what's been done before and put my name to a job that looks like a pigs ear!!

[Sully]

you cant polish a t*rd but you can put glitter on it! just do what you can.

[RobRainford]

they are fast growing, depending on its size, i would fell and replant, they are bad for rot too.

[SiW]

I assume it now has lots of long straight stems from previous cuts. Try and remove the larger ones leaving smaller to maintain a canopy and some shape, then prune any back anything that sticks out too far. Or you might find the client likes the butchered look and your decision is one of is the money better in my pocket or someone elses. As the damage is already done I'd say yours

[simonm]

its about 30 foot tall im surprised its still alive considering how much was cut off before! basically cut in half! think fell and replant would be the best option!

[slack ma girdle]

Fell and start again

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Birch a bad with decay? only if they do not form water filled pockets at the cut, which when filled with water go anaerobic and arrest decay as with bacterial wetwood, sort of.

 

they can be pollarded

[Dean O]

Ask the customer what they want - if you dont think its the best thing for the tree then offer them advice.

they may or may not want to take it - this resolves the dilemma.

 

Realistically you will have two options - recut to previous points or reshape what growth is there - this may include a thinning out to reduce/shape.