Suggestions Wanted. Pruning back to a vertical lateral

[danrasmuson]

An arborist came to my house and suggested a preventive cut to a branch overhanging my home. He suggested cutting the red circle in favor of promoting the blue branch to grow vertically.



As you can see this branch overhangs the entire home.


The forward view of the home below the big tree



Simply put, the father away from the primary stem a weight load gets, the more stress it puts on the branch union. We need to reduce that stress as much as possible, to try to mitigate the risk of failure.

I'd love further perspectives and to know if this cut seems wise.

Dan

 

[Raintree]

What species of tree are we looking at and does it have a history of branch failure?

 

[danrasmuson]

It is a walnut tree. No history of branch failure.

 

[Raintree]

My concern would be if both lateral and vertical limbs are over the roof. Redirecting growth energy upward while wounding and potentially weakening the remainder of the leader. You may be causing a greater future threat while you're attempting to mitigate a perceived current threat.

 

[danrasmuson]

My concern would be if both lateral and vertical limbs are over the roof. Redirecting growth energy upward while wounding and potentially weakening the remainder of the leader. You may be causing a greater future threat while you're attempting to mitigate a perceived current threat.

great point

 

[TheJollyLogger]

I'm just not seeing a huge threat here, especially with a walnut. I'm in Georgetown, and would be happy to swing by and take a look at it. I font climb anymore, but still love trees.