castlemonkey

Thanks for all the advice. I would prefer to retain the sycamore tree but to allow more light into my garden, and minimise the strain on the union and so lower any risk. I can see the sense in crown reduction for cases of included bark and tight unions, but I’m slightly reluctant in taking this option if it is going to cause faster growth from the tree, the crown to thicken up leading to more shading than I now have and hence lead to ongoing reductions in the future. My parents have a pollarded ash in their garden and the recurring fast growth on that has meant they have repeatedly had to have it reduced in size every 4-5 years with the cost that incurs, which is what I would prefer to avoid if possible. So I would be inclined from what has been said to have it crown raised and thinned, but in doing so would this not make the tree more top heavy and hence put more strain on the union? If crown thinning or raising occurred would there be excessive regrowth from the tree to compensate for what had been removed? A crown raise would have little affect on privacy with regards to neighbours as the boundaries are screened with leylandii hedges some 3m high with one neighbour and unfortunately for me some 6m high with another, and growing into the crown of the sycamore. If these 6m leylandii were reduced in height by some 3-4m to clear the crown of the tree would this have any effect on the sycamore with regards to not sheltering the tree as much and hence exposing the sycamore to stronger winds? Many Thanks

Hi all thanks for the responses. I had originally contacted my arborist about the sycamore with the view of letting more light into my garden, and his suggestion was to crown raise and to thin the crown in order to let more light onto my lawn which is predominantly in the shade. That was before he saw the union and then said it would be better to reduce the crown height, but it would lead to ongoing maintenance, and in the long run it would be better and more cost effective to remove the tree fully and replant with another tree. Would crown raising and / or thinning the crown be sensible in this case? Or is crown reduction a better solution? Would it be wise to just brace / cable the tree and not prune in any way? I was unaware of the risk posed by the union until I was told about it, so from what has been said in terms of my liability as the landowner I need to manage any risk that the tree poses. My only concern is the proximity to neighbours if it was to fail. I assume now that I know there is a point of weakness in the tree I have to do something as opposed to nothing? Thanks, Adrian

I was after some advice regarding a large mature sycamore tree that I have in my back garden. I have had it inspected by a tree surgeon and he pointed out to me a defect in the trunk of the tree which increases the risk of the tree failing in the future and suggested it was best to remove and replant due to the potential risk it posed to both my garden and my neighbours garden and property. I am reluctant to remove the tree as it is a feature of the garden and ideally I would like to retain the tree if it is safe to do so. From what my tree surgeon said and from the research I have done through the internet, the sycamore is made up of two codominant stems with a tight V shaped union with signs of included bark between them but there appears to be no signs of cracking or decay at or around the join. The main trunk is near vertical some 45cm diameter and the other some 35cm diameter has grown at a slight lean to the southern light. The trunk at the base is some 65cm diameter with the union starting some 50cm off the ground. The included bark sections below the union are some 20-25cm long and 3cm wide on one side of the tree and 8cm on the other. The sycamore tree is at least some 15m high and has a crown diameter of a similar amount (15-18m). The tree is otherwise healthy, has a good shape, is in leaf, with little deadwood. No previous pruning has occurred to the tree it has been allowed to grow naturally. The tree overhangs my two neighbours’ gardens/properties, and so as the landowner I understand I have some responsibility in ensuring that I reduce the risk that the tree poses. One neighbour’s house is some 20m from the tree, with the branches extending into their garden some 6m; the other neighbour is closer with their garage some 9m from the base of the tree although there is a drop in land levels of some 2m in-between. The crown of the tree extends to be roughly level with the edge of their garage. I have attached photos of the tree showing its location, the 2 main trunks, and the included bark union from both sides. I was wondering what was best to do with this sycamore tree. From the photos is the diagnosis of included bark correct? Is the tree safe / worth saving given its location, size, and defect? If the tree is safe to retain what is my minimum requirements that I need to take to remove/limit my liability as landowner? What are my best options with regards to pruning to limit the strain on the trunks? Would it benefit / is it worth cabling or bracing the tree and if so what sort of cost is involved? Given its current size and that it is some 50 years old already; how much bigger is this sycamore likely to grow? I would welcome any advice that anyone can give. Many Thanks.