Tamarix pollarding!??

[treefolk]

I have a customer who is adamant even after advising against it that they want to ruin their tamarix by severely cutting it back. I've never carried out heavy pruning on one before, only light reductions. Anyone have any experience on how tolerant they are to being butchered?

[nepia]

In this country I'd say they were risking it by doing that. They may get away with it but if we had a hard winter following the hack the regrowth would likely suffer to the point of death.

It may be worth pointing out to them that Tamarix must surely be on the edge of its range in this country in any place but a Southern coast: I've lost a couple after 3-4 years in the ground so have given up though I should add that I'm on chalk which is disliked by the plant. Winter wet is a big enemy here I'd say.

On balance I'd feel the same as you; cutting back hard is a big risk.

What part of the country is this and on what soil is the plant?

Edited August 2, 2015 by nepia

[treefolk]

In this country I'd say they were risking it by doing that. They may get away with it but if we had a hard winter following the hack the regrowth would likely suffer to the point of death.

It may be worth pointing out to them that Tamarix must surely be on the edge of its range in this country in any place but a Southern coast: I've lost a couple after 3-4 years in the ground so have given up though I should add that I'm on chalk which is disliked by the plant. Winter wet is a big enemy here I'd say.

On balance I'd feel the same as you; cutting back hard is a big risk.

What part of the country is this and on what soil is the plant?

 

Pretty much what I told them. Really pees me off when people ask for your professional advice and then do exactly the opposite. It's not even a big tree, doesn't even need pruning in my opinion. Thanks for the reply

[treefolk]

Oh it's in Kent and most likely clay soil

[nepia]

Oh it's in Kent and most likely clay soil

 

Cold, wet winter soil then... couldn't be worse!

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

I have a customer who is adamant even after advising against it that they want to ruin their tamarix by severely cutting it back. I've never carried out heavy pruning on one before, only light reductions. Anyone have any experience on how tolerant they are to being butchered?

 

Just refuse to do it. Sooner loose the customer than have that on my conscience / reputation.

[treefolk]

Just refuse to do it. Sooner loose the customer than have that on my conscience / reputation.

 

I know what you mean, it's definitely not one I will enjoy. I'm not sure what's worse for my reputation though, backing out of a job or carrying out the customer's ridiculous requests. Got an email from them today. Here's an excerpt:

 

"Thanks for your email and the thought you've obviously put into this.

We have discussed it, and we would like to go ahead with the pollarding of our tamarix. We understand the potential problems and we're prepared to take that risk."

 

 

The tree is doomed either way, I will take the money and go get drunk

[Chopper H]

Just to balance the argument we were told to do the same to a tamarisk a couple of years ago on a site on the south coast and against our better judgment did it and it has not only come back but is positively thriving

[Mick Dempsey]

I know what you mean, it's definitely not one I will enjoy. I'm not sure what's worse for my reputation though, backing out of a job or carrying out the customer's ridiculous requests. Got an email from them today. Here's an excerpt:

 

"Thanks for your email and the thought you've obviously put into this.

We have discussed it, and we would like to go ahead with the pollarding of our tamarix. We understand the potential problems and we're prepared to take that risk."

 

 

The tree is doomed either way, I will take the money and go get drunk

 

Don't you think you're being a bit of a drama queen? I mean it's just a big shrub.

Hardly worth getting upset about.

 

They come back from a hiding ok in my experience.

[treefolk]

Don't you think you're being a bit of a drama queen? I mean it's just a big shrub.

Hardly worth getting upset about.

 

They come back from a hiding ok in my experience.

 

Thanks for sharing your experiences. That is what I was looking for. Drama queen? Maybe. I'm not sure I care what you think though. I would feel the same about any tree being butchered.