Can excessive pruning cause branch loss?

[PennyACanterbury]

We have what I understand to be a Gold Crest in our North East facing garden. It is a mature tree, taller than the house. It is on the boundary of our garden and our neighbours removed all overhanging branches right up to but not including the crown. Since then the corresponding branches on our side of the fence have all fallen off. Is it possible that the tree is 'balancing' itself out due to the excessive pruning or is the loss of multiple branches more likely to be due to disease? There are no obvious signs of disease and foliage on fallen branches is green. I can upload photos another time if needed I am just keen for any thoughts sooner rather than later in case I should take urgent action. Many thanks for any advice!

[PennyACanterbury]

[PennyACanterbury]

Finally got a few pictures up here of the tree, hope it helps. Thanks again for any thoughts.

[Dan Curtis]

I'd say almost certainly it's due to increased, altered wind loading caused by the other side being stripped bare. The coincidence being wet is the water held by the foliage is increasing the weight. Looking at your photo, the majority of the foliage left on the branches is at the tip end of a long branch, which creates excessive leverage and increases the chance of limb failure.

[Dan Curtis]

There's not a huge amount you can do unfortunately. You could try reducing some of the end weight of the remaining branches, but be aware that it will not flush new growth from bare wood. Live foliage needs to be retained to keep the branch alive and functioning. You may also lose the spiky habit of the tree if you prune the ends of the branches unsympathetically

[PennyACanterbury]

Thank you, do you think the stability of the tree could be affected if it is left as it is as it is a bit top heavy? I'm no tree expert! We are in a conservation area and I know the neighbours did not seek council's permission to prune the tree and being our favourite tree in our garden we are really sad about the branch loss and loss of privacy too. As such we are keen to maintain the tree as much as possible but only if it is safe to do so. Thank you in advance for any further thoughts

Edited January 16, 2015 by PennyACanterbury
Typo

[Fredward]

Weight/length reduction on the branches will mitigate the chances of snapping, but can be a time consuming job. I'm sure a local arborist on here can help.

[Mountain man]

It's never going to be nice so might as well take it out, as an aside if I was your neighbour I wouldn't be very happy about a conifer like that shading my garden.

[Bren.]

Got to say, I agree with Mountain man. That thing is never going to be anything but fugly now. Take it down and replant, ideally with something a little less intrusive to surrounding property. Large conifers like this really have no place in relatively small urban gardens (imo).

[Ty Korrigan]

You can't use words like 'Fugly'

This thread belongs to a lady...!

Ty

[Bren.]

Damn, really! sorry Ty, sorry Lady.