Monkey Puzzles!!

Hi there!
Im hoping to get some information on two monkey puzzle trees we have.

They are both around 30years old and 30ft approx. We feel it has come to the time that they need to go... None of our regular wildlife use them and they take up almost all of the view fom the balcony we have running the length of the house.
We dont want to cut them down but as we live cut into a steep hill we are afraid that the cost of removing them will outweigh the actual price of the trees...

Can anyone help with suggestions?? We dont know how much a 30ft monkey puzzle would fetch and we suppose a crane would need to be used but as there isnt a flat access point next to the trees we dont know if a crane could get near!!

 

Hi jane29,

If the access to your property is as difficult as you're suggesting then your options may be limited. Moving large trees is often carried out using a machine called a treespade, which is rather like a cran, but with a huge ice cream scoop device that cuts the tree out of the ground, roots and all. However, they can be quite large and may not be suitable in your case.

If there are any parks, arboretums or private estates that have a specimen tree selection then you could try contacting them and asking whether they would be interested in your trees. My thoughts would be that whatever option is decided upon for removing the trees will far outweigh the price anyone's willing to pay for them.

Alternatively you could retain the trees and simply think of another use for them. Removing the branches and ringbarking it would lead the tree into declining and therefore be a more suitable habitat for certain wildlife. Or you could use the stems as a feeding post for birds and small mammals?

 

When I lived in NI I cut down an unsightly Monkey Puzzle and ended up sawing it into pieces for the open fire I had. It's rocket fuel! So much resinous sap in the wood and leaves it'll burn when still green.

I suppose I'm biased but they are non-native, pretty useless for wildlife other than earwigs and ugly into the bargain. A 30ft tree with limited access would be a challenge to dig out and remove with enough root to take again only using manpower. I'd be inclined to start over, remove the top from about 3ft upwards and use the stump as a decorative feature with the possibilty of chopping and digging the root crown out at a later date if need be.

 

Ya puzzles are nice...But by monkey puzzles what are you trying to convey..

 

is this anything to do with the secret of monkey island? lot of puzzles in that game.

 

its always sad removing a mature tree, the cost of moving in your case would almost certanly outway the value. However (and sorry monkey puzzle lovers) I wouldnt feel too sad, while they are certanly impressive looking they rarely/never look at home in the uk...and you can replant with something much more appropriate

 

I find them quite pleasing to look at but they are a real eyesore if they start to die or loose lower branches due to root damage/poor air quality

it's a shame they have to go =]

 

i love monkey puzzles, i currently have about 20+ growing in pots in my parents house, they are super slow growing until they reach around 10ft at which time they seem to speed up

shames yours have to go..

 

When I was child my Mother had a monkey puzzle in the garden. It was about 10 feet high. Somebody stole it ! It was a total mystery as we lived in the middle of nowhere