Large dying tree

I have this very large tree in the garden which looks very poorly and not very pretty. The leaf looks like confier tree? Its atleast 12m high. I thought it might spring in to life in the summer but looks to be dying. The previous owner looks to have cut it down and may have caused this?

Due to the size and the fact that is dying I am wondering if its best to cut it down and plant some birch tree?

Thanks in advance

 

Hi ilan,

It looks like your deduction is right; it seems the previous owner has hacked this tree to within an inch of its life, and it's losing the battle to live. Aesthetically it is not very pleasing, and if it does die completely you're going to be left with a dead tree to dispose of. My advice would be to seriously consider removal and replant with a species of tree more suitable to your garden.


Matthew

 

It is too big to remove yourself, so you will need a professional to remove it. Branches are heavier than you think. I would not bother replanting a tree there until the stump is removed and the soil well fertilised and fresh compost added, as the Confier will have removed most nutrients from the soil.

 

Looks like it's had it. Taking it down without damaging the fence below might be a little tricky.

 

Thanks for your advice. Its deffinetly not a job for me. I am new to all this gardening stuff. Is it expensive to remove tree of this size?

Also can I keep the main trunk and get someone to create a sculputure? Not sure if it would rot?

 

Ilan,

The cost of removing a tree depends on many factors including who you get in to do it; i.e local handy man/gardener or professional tree surgeon, access, site restrictions and removal of waste. Keeping the logs or stem sections intact may reduce the overall cost. I don't think the stem of this tree would make a suitable carving and you may be better off just getting rid of it completely.

 

Hi Ilan, if that is a conifer and it does look like one to me then there is no chance of it ever getting back to health. Conifers like that one will not regenerate from a branch with no green leaf, and that tree would have been shocked beyond regrowth even if there was some green left. I wouldn't worry too much about the stump. Get it tidied up and let the wildlife make the most of what's left if that's your thing. The stump will slowly rot providing food for years for all kinds of creatures and if you drill wholes in the sunny side of the stump it will provide homes for hundreds of solitary bees. Well, that's what I have done with the tree, exactly like that one that I inherited. Grow ivy, rambling roses, honeysuckle, clematis etc. and enjoy it. You will need to tidy it up a bit though. Ultimately what can you afford to do with it?
Good luck.

 

Thanks for your advice. I will find someone to take the tree out completely. I would like to plant a few trees along the fence for privacy. Are there any hardy evergreen trees that don't grow too big?

I think clematis, roses etc are also a good idea.

 

There's a huge list and this is a good time to be buying as bare rooted trees are so much cheaper. Think about Yew, expensive but lovely (will grow back if pruned hard), Beech and Hornbeam, cheep but not strictly green in the winter they don't lose their leaves at human height so are good for screening and are easily pruned not to mention Beech is really cheap. I've ordered 10 from Hedges Direct to replace a section of hedge. (Beech (Fagus sylvatica) 2.4m Bare Root) 10 £10.99 £109.90. Escalonia are evergreen, smell wonderful and don't grow big, but might not be big enough. Pyracantha offer berries. Look at Ashridge Trees and Ornamental Trees also.