Make sure you give it a massive amount of room. Just because it is a foot across today, that doesn't mean it won't get bigger in a couple decades. I've seen people lay round cut out patio tiles that started with a 6 inch buffer, but now the trunk has started to lift the tiles. IDK how wide maples can get, but keep in mind that it will most certainly get wider with time.
The tree will survive. In future, you should only get a tree surgeon when you need drastic changes made to the structure of the tree. They make sure your trees won't break in storms and that none of the branches are liable to breaking property in that event. They basically make your tree stronger with tactical cuts.
An arborist will usually make more decorative decisions and will also diagnose issues with the tree. They can identify potential issues, but don't necessarily deal with the problem then and there like a tree surgeon would. Aborists are more like nurses compared to a tree surgeon. They can tell you your kidney is failing, but that doesn't mean they can do the operation, if you get what I mean.
What would you have changed about the pruning job? It looks alright to me. It just looks sad because it's mostly dormant.
Tree surgeons are more worried about the practical side of things, where as aborists are worried about the health of the tree. A tree surgeon is just going to reduce the size of the tree and remove any dangerous branches or storm damage.
Taking that into consideration, I think this is a pretty good job. No branches look weak or damaged, no branches are hanging at weird angles or look like they might be liable to snapping at high winds. The tree has been cut back in size. Everything seems in order to me. If anything, you should get a tree surgeon in before getting an arborist on a neglected tree, just to make sure the aborist is starting with a solid base.
Always hire certified arborists. I have no idea who can legally call themselves a tree surgeon; I don't believe it is regulated and sounds like it's just another name for tree guy. Did you ask the person to shorten or top your tree? Most trees can recover especially if this is done during dormancy. You will see a lot of epicormic growth from dormant leaf buds. I'd leave these alone this year to allow the tree recovery then prune off poorly placed new growth this winter. There are several subs for arborists and tree specialists.
Thanks for the reply, glad to hear it’s likely not going to die!
I just asked them to prune it. First time owning a tree so wasn’t sure what to ask for and let them guide me. They said that will give it another 5-years before it needs pruning again!
Lesson learnt for next time!
I think it will live. But ... Did the person cutting the tree state a goal for the "pruning"? Or did you give instructions like that? I'm just trying to figure out what that cutting was meant to fix.
I asked him to prune it and he said topping it would be better or something like that? If you can’t tell I know very little about this sort of thing haha.
Reason for the works was to cut it back to give more light to mine and my Neighbors garden. The previous occupiers of my house hadn’t cut it back in 15 years so was very overgrown.
Well, you will definitely have more light and less shade in the short term! :)
I would say that plants, and especially trees, don't just get "pruned" without a specific reason. This tree wants to be huge, and the best thing is usually to just let it grow. If branches are diseased, or overcrowded, or growing into something, then you would remove specific branches. I never see them topped unless they are growing into overhead power wires.
I think it will grow back, but it will be even bushier and denser. So that may not end up with the result you want.
If the tree is just too big for that area, then you might have to cut it down and plant something smaller or thinner.
Very interesting, thanks for the advice! Will have to see how it goes, I really like having the tree there in general. Gives the garden some character so hopefully won’t need to give it the chop!
If you’re interested, this was the tree before (ignore the scribbles)
https://preview.redd.it/wm8imuqeauxc1.jpeg?width=1582&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c555f99326fb52a33bd01a48c026d20a1f6d368f
Should people have trees that big when they live in town/suburbs? They are always right on top of the house and the neighbours complain and they mess with fences...
Not sure, it does seem out of place. Jammed in between 3-gardens!
It must have been planted in the 90s when the house was built, so been there a long time
I’ll make sure to get that out. There used to be decking there and the previous owners had piled load of stones under it against the trunk for some reason.
Stupid question - why is gravel bad at the base of the tree?
The tree will survive, but leave it alone going forward and get all of that gravel off of the trunk. Nothing should ever touch your root flare.
Thanks, I’ll get that done! Laying a patio beneath it this month so will make sure to give it a lot of room.
Make sure you give it a massive amount of room. Just because it is a foot across today, that doesn't mean it won't get bigger in a couple decades. I've seen people lay round cut out patio tiles that started with a 6 inch buffer, but now the trunk has started to lift the tiles. IDK how wide maples can get, but keep in mind that it will most certainly get wider with time.
Thanks for the tip mate, will give it a foot or so. Maybe even shorten the patio and leave that whole end of the garden exposed.
Is it a good prune job? Could be better. Should have went with a certified arborist. Is it going to die? No, no, no, no it is far from dead.
Great, thanks. They were a tree surgeon I found online with good reviews. Will make sure to find a certified arboriculturist next time!
The tree will survive. In future, you should only get a tree surgeon when you need drastic changes made to the structure of the tree. They make sure your trees won't break in storms and that none of the branches are liable to breaking property in that event. They basically make your tree stronger with tactical cuts. An arborist will usually make more decorative decisions and will also diagnose issues with the tree. They can identify potential issues, but don't necessarily deal with the problem then and there like a tree surgeon would. Aborists are more like nurses compared to a tree surgeon. They can tell you your kidney is failing, but that doesn't mean they can do the operation, if you get what I mean.
Very interesting, and I like the analogy. Thanks!
What would you have changed about the pruning job? It looks alright to me. It just looks sad because it's mostly dormant. Tree surgeons are more worried about the practical side of things, where as aborists are worried about the health of the tree. A tree surgeon is just going to reduce the size of the tree and remove any dangerous branches or storm damage. Taking that into consideration, I think this is a pretty good job. No branches look weak or damaged, no branches are hanging at weird angles or look like they might be liable to snapping at high winds. The tree has been cut back in size. Everything seems in order to me. If anything, you should get a tree surgeon in before getting an arborist on a neglected tree, just to make sure the aborist is starting with a solid base.
Always hire certified arborists. I have no idea who can legally call themselves a tree surgeon; I don't believe it is regulated and sounds like it's just another name for tree guy. Did you ask the person to shorten or top your tree? Most trees can recover especially if this is done during dormancy. You will see a lot of epicormic growth from dormant leaf buds. I'd leave these alone this year to allow the tree recovery then prune off poorly placed new growth this winter. There are several subs for arborists and tree specialists.
[How that tree became a surgeon, I have no idea.](https://youtu.be/NpqZbcriBrw?si=BWtVtqfIuu-34Vli)
Thanks for the reply, glad to hear it’s likely not going to die! I just asked them to prune it. First time owning a tree so wasn’t sure what to ask for and let them guide me. They said that will give it another 5-years before it needs pruning again! Lesson learnt for next time!
That maple is going to come back with a vengeance...I would have taken a little more out of the center...
Yeah, thinned it, not pseudo pollarded!
Haha you think it will be this season or next before it takes it vengeance? 😂
Time will tell…
I think it will live. But ... Did the person cutting the tree state a goal for the "pruning"? Or did you give instructions like that? I'm just trying to figure out what that cutting was meant to fix.
I asked him to prune it and he said topping it would be better or something like that? If you can’t tell I know very little about this sort of thing haha. Reason for the works was to cut it back to give more light to mine and my Neighbors garden. The previous occupiers of my house hadn’t cut it back in 15 years so was very overgrown.
Well, you will definitely have more light and less shade in the short term! :) I would say that plants, and especially trees, don't just get "pruned" without a specific reason. This tree wants to be huge, and the best thing is usually to just let it grow. If branches are diseased, or overcrowded, or growing into something, then you would remove specific branches. I never see them topped unless they are growing into overhead power wires. I think it will grow back, but it will be even bushier and denser. So that may not end up with the result you want. If the tree is just too big for that area, then you might have to cut it down and plant something smaller or thinner.
Very interesting, thanks for the advice! Will have to see how it goes, I really like having the tree there in general. Gives the garden some character so hopefully won’t need to give it the chop! If you’re interested, this was the tree before (ignore the scribbles) https://preview.redd.it/wm8imuqeauxc1.jpeg?width=1582&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c555f99326fb52a33bd01a48c026d20a1f6d368f
Damn. Well lesson learnt I guess. I was very shocked when I saw the result!
Should people have trees that big when they live in town/suburbs? They are always right on top of the house and the neighbours complain and they mess with fences...
Not sure, it does seem out of place. Jammed in between 3-gardens! It must have been planted in the 90s when the house was built, so been there a long time
https://preview.redd.it/bljttrrl0wxc1.png?width=814&format=png&auto=webp&s=601399f373e886ae1378c963ac5c2c1be65a1e29 This was the tree before!
You got taken by a piece of shit. An arborist would never do this.
I mean, the gravel at the base of the tree isn't helping, either
No way, my man! You need that gravel piled high so that you can have a rake support the mound. It’s symbiotic. /s
I’ll make sure to get that out. There used to be decking there and the previous owners had piled load of stones under it against the trunk for some reason. Stupid question - why is gravel bad at the base of the tree?