Silverbirch reduction

[fuda]

Hi as above the customer wants 7 to 8 feet reduction off the crown total height

and thinning is this to much ? what is the rule of thumb in reduction on a silver birch.

 

If you look at the the photo of the base it has a deep V union with included bark

does it look safe?will the ruduction affect this in any way appriciate your comments.

 

 

 

 

[Rich Rule]

I would say looking at the pictures you have a nice looking tree there. Taking 7-8 foot off the tree will ruin the aesthetics of the tree and probably lead to its decline.

 

IME larger wounds on Silver birch tend to rot down and then in a few years you are left with overgrown leaders attached to decayed stems.

[tree_beard]

agreed with mr rule.

 

more than the lightest of tickles will cause decay, and re-growth will be swift.. so you'll be back every few years

 

 

the included union doesnt look to be a worry (not very tight, low to the ground and with reaction wood doing its thing)

 

 

and is it not a downy birch?

[White Noise]

Sympathetic and Sensitive Reduction for that Birch

[Nick B]

I agree with the other two.

Less is more on a Birch if it must have work done try to keep the cuts small,

Big cuts will regrow like mad and rot down and the tree will need redoing every few years

[Le Sanglier]

8ft is nothing on a tree like that, probably go a bit harder.

Looking closely I reckon it's been done before.

[White Noise]

Maybe even just a decent thinning . It would look a lot less dense and give dappled light through the crown .

[ecotreecare]

I would say looking at the pictures you have a nice looking tree there. Taking 7-8 foot off the tree will ruin the aesthetics of the tree and probably lead to its decline.

 

IME larger wounds on Silver birch tend to rot down and then in a few years you are left with overgrown leaders attached to decayed stems.

 

Have to agree with this post.

 

Looked at a similar job yesterday, 12 Birches- light issues. Customer wanted to reduce them by 40%!!

 

Talked them into thinning and a slight crown life to allow more light through the tree.

 

Just because it's what the customer wants doesn't mean it's the best for them or the tree. You can advise them and if they still want to go ahead with the reduction, do it.

 

 

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[nz paul]

If in doubt smash it out!

[woodyguy]

Downy birch respond really badly to large reductions. Rot sets in and its the beginning of a decline. Light touch is best - but you can only advise!