Thread: Silky Oak tree in my backyard

Originally Posted by scorpio_oz

Just my two cents worth.

Make a judgement call, if it is a risk or will be as it gets larger, think about doing something sooner rather than later, as its probably going to save you money.

-Gavin

You make a very good point. Definitely cheaper to get a tree removed before it becomes a problem. Even though my Silky Oak has plenty of years before it becomes a nuisance, will be much cheaper to do something now than down the track...

I'm not an arborist but I've been around the tree lopping industry enough to know a bit about trees. Your tree is not realy that big..... yet. It would be much, much cheaper to have removed now than later. But I like trees too, so personally I would enjoy the tree for many more years before doing anything. Having an arborist give you a written report could allay your neighbor's concern.
What is important is that when you have a tree in close proximity to a house it needs regular maintenance. Once every couple of years get in a lopper to remove deadwood and branches that are straying in directions you don't want them to go. You will make the tree safer and extend its useful life. The neighbor will also be happier.

Originally Posted by GSRocket

I'm not an arborist but I've been around the tree lopping industry enough to know a bit about trees. Your tree is not realy that big..... yet. It would be much, much cheaper to have removed now than later. But I like trees too, so personally I would enjoy the tree for many more years before doing anything. Having an arborist give you a written report could allay your neighbor's concern.
What is important is that when you have a tree in close proximity to a house it needs regular maintenance. Once every couple of years get in a lopper to remove deadwood and branches that are straying in directions you don't want them to go. You will make the tree safer and extend its useful life. The neighbor will also be happier.

Thanks that's very useful information. I'll definitely get an arborist report. I'm sure I have at least another 10 years out of this tree.

Originally Posted by TazR

Thanks that's very useful information. I'll definitely get an arborist report. I'm sure I have at least another 10 years out of this tree.

It is best that you get in first with an arborist. If there is a complaint to council, you can pre-empt it with your report, whereas if the council call in an arborist they might ask impossible questions of him/her, such as, "Can you guarantee that the tree won't lose branches or fall in the foreseeable future?"
Cheers,
Jim

Southern Silky Oaks can develop root rot,making them very unstable in strong winds,Save yourself future litigation and give it a serious pruning (ground level)

Originally Posted by MAPLEMAN

Southern Silky Oaks can develop root rot,making them very unstable in strong winds,Save yourself future litigation and give it a serious pruning (ground level)

Talking about pruning, I asked a tree lopper to reduce its height by a third. He refused to do it because he said that the new shoots that it would create would be impossible to climb on, and would make the tree very difficult to get rid of.

Originally Posted by TazR

Talking about pruning, I asked a tree lopper to reduce its height by a third. He refused to do it because he said that the new shoots that it would create would be impossible to climb on, and would make the tree very difficult to get rid of.

There are tree loppers and then there are tree loppers. Some are a cut above the rest, ha ha. The best would not be the slightest bit concerned about whether there were branches to walk on or not. However it is unusual to reduce the height of a tree so drastically. I'm not sure, others would know but I don't think it would not be healthy for it. Also what you would finish up with is a lot of new growth and the new growth is more fragile than the original branches.
Often what is done is what we called a crown lift. Remove the lower branches
and branches that have grown out laterally and strive for a visual balance of
the tree. Visually the tree will look like its had its "crown lifted"
And make sure the lopper does not wear his spikes because this allows more opportunity for disease to enter the tree.