Kneejerk Bombas
ArboristSite King
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2001
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You could cut that tree at the base and it would likely sprout back just fine. In trimming, less is often more. Especially with a tree you see every day and want to look nice as it sits in your landscape. A tree's leaves are its income. If you reduce its income, the whole tree has to live on less.I disagree on the "only take a little"...especially on an Autumn blaze. They grow so fast that if you don't correct problems ASAP, they will get out of hand quickly. I'm not suggesting taking 2/3 of the branches off - but would not hesitate to take 1/3-1/2 a tree that young and of that species with poor form.
3 years ago, yes, a little trimming would have been appropriate. Now, it needs more help.
The new ANSI pruning standard changed the limit on how much you can take because of this...
My suggestions aren't for a nursery using production methods to get the stock out as fast as possible with a good central leader, I'm talking about optimal health of a tree, and keeping it looking good. If it were a one and out type trim job, then yes, go heavy handed.
I appreciate your point about species, it's basically a silver maple planted about 20 feet from his house, maybe he wants to slow that thing down.