yew tree , i dont want a giant.

its around 15 feet tall , can it be kept this tall or even made a bit smaller? its got a trunk of around 10 inches across. if it gets any taller it will block light from my veggie patch.

 

Yew trees will withstand massive cutting back, and will re-sprout from the trunk. So you could take a bold decision on cutting back - go 6" lower than the final heigh to give it room to "bulk up" to the height where you want to trim it.

A stylish topiary opportunity perhaps?

I hope this isn't going to be the one Yew tree to curl up its toes at being hard-pruned :( Feed well next year, and water in drought, to help it get re-established

 

As far as I know Yews can be whacked to anywhere you want them to be.
That includes height and gearth.
Hope you get that tree the size you want it.

 

brilliant news guys , thank you.
now what about oak trees? can they be cut back to keep them at a reasonable height?
i dont want a garden full of bonsai trees but i also want a garden i can grow food in.

 

I would suggest getting in a profession to do a "crown reduction" on an Oak tree - if it has a decent sized head already - i.e. more than 20' tall. Won't be cheap though :(

 

Oak trees are not Yews, Robgil. If you want them to survive they can't just be chopped back to anywhere.
I had oaks in my last garden, and I found that branches chopped back to where I wanted them to be and the tree got on fine.
But on your own head be it if you go ahead and chop the tree..
But it does make rather good fire wood.
Tricky one or get the professionals who charge plenty.

 

Thanks guys , if i were to chop a tree i wouldnt use it as fire wood, i need lots of timber for my the restoration work in my cottage so it would go to good use.
Speaking of chopping trees, i have lots of elders, ash etc that i need to thin out to clear the garden but i live in a conservation area, how big does a tree have to be before i need permission to chop it? I had a tree surgeon out once at a different derelict cottage i wanted to buy and the garden needed clearing but ive forgotten what he told me.
someone here told me it was 12 inches across, anything under that and i wouldnt have to apply for permission but im not so sure about that.

 

Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Area restrictions are placed on trees that have a particular importance to a locale; whether it be important for economic, ecological, commercial or aesthetic reasons. Generally a tree needs to be wider than 7" DBH (diameter at breast height) before being considered for protection, but this is not always the case.

I doubt that your trees in your garden have any particular significance to the area so you'd probably not be restricted by any conservation or protection orders. A quick ring to your council tree officer will provide you with all the answers you need.

 

Thank you Harmony, i shall give them a call and see whats what.