Redwood Trees damaged by pruning

[Cyndi321]

Hi, I have (had) 6 beautiful large redwood trees in my yard. Three in each corner.
Last week my neighbor asked if he could have his tree-trimming guy trim a couple of branches off two of them to allow more sunlight into his yard & I agreed.
Instead they sawed 20 good sized branches about 2 feet from the trunks from the backs of each in one area & they look terrible now. The trees are no longer symmetrical & nearly 1/2 of the back of one is just gone.
My neighbor assures me the branches will grow back & fill in again but I'm skeptical.
Will they?
Thanks

Here are a couple of pics:
<a href="http://s1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj513/IOSilver1/?action=view&amp;current=DSC02862.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj513/IOSilver1/DSC02862.jpg" border="0" alt="DSC02862"></a>
<a href="http://s1265.beta.photobucket.com/user/IOSilver1/library/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj513/IOSilver1/DSC02864-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"/></a>

 

[Cyndi321]

Hi, I have (had) 6 beautiful large redwood trees in my yard. Three in each corner.
Last week my neighbor asked if he could have his tree-trimming guy trim a couple of branches off two of them to allow more sunlight into his yard & I agreed.
Instead they sawed 20 good sized branches about 2 feet from the trunks & they look terrible now. The trees are no longer symmetrical & nearly 1/2 of the back of one is just gone.
My neighbor assures me the branches will grow back & fill in again but I'm skeptical.
Will they?
Thanks

Here are a couple of pics:
<a href="http://s1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj513/IOSilver1/?action=view&amp;current=DSC02862.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj513/IOSilver1/DSC02862.jpg" border="0" alt="DSC02862"></a>

 

[SquirrelMan]

did you give the "trimmers" a tip?

 

[Ed Roland]

My neighbor assures me the branches will grow back & fill in again but I'm skeptical.

Me too. Very few latent buds in the older wood.

The images you posted show an especially inept understanding of pruning practices. Most conifers have limited abilities to flush latent growth. Sequoias are indeterminate in this regard, meaning foliage must be left below pruning cut. i would be

 

[Cyndi321]

Are all six trees planted right on the property line like that one at the fence?


If so you may share ownership with your neighbor.

There are 3 in each corner but of them, this tree is closest to the fence & actually bending it inward at the bottom. I believe it probably is 1/2 his & mine.

 

[ch woodchuck]

Fence lines are quite arbitary.It would take a survey(expensive)to determine the actual line.''Generally''Fences are considered community property,and are the responsibilty of both neighbors..That's here in marin co.And if the tree at chest height straddles the propery line,then it's considered owned by both parties...Check with your local county offices.

Those stubbed branches appear to have a bit of green...not much.And no they will not fill in as stated.

 

[darkbyrd]

I understand that your neighbor has the right to chop at the property line anything encroaching his lot. I also doubt they will fill in. I would want those branches cut off properly, at the trunk, and preferably for free by the hack that did it in the first place. What I don't know is how to make the best of the situation, for you and the tree. Good luck.

 

[RandyMac]

If they are Sierra Redwoods, they probably won't put out new limbs. If they are Coast Redwoods, they most likely will, however they may respond by sending out many shoots from the stem, they can get bushy looking. Sempervirens are hard to kill, they respond to damage rapidly, I have seen fresh cut log decks sprout into a big green mass.

 

[Umbellularia]

Instead they sawed 20 good sized branches about 2 feet from the trunks from the backs of each in one area & they look terrible now. The trees are no longer symmetrical & nearly 1/2 of the back of one is just gone.

Keep in mind that in a redwood forest, the trees will have "self pruned" themselves of those lower branches. If symmetry is important to you, you could have the lower branches on your side removed to match.