Certified arborists with the Urban Tree Alliance climb and prune a large hackberry tree to remove hazardous deadwood, provide clearance over a garage, and assess the structure of the tree.
Question : I have a large Tulip Popular that has the same issues as this tree. The leaves that stem from the union are turning yellow. While the other leaves are healthy and green. My concern is that it will kill the entire tree if this large portion is removed. Typically, what is the largest diameter limb that can be removed without killing the tree? I like the option of using a cable, but im afraid it's too large. The tree is about 15 feet from the house, and overhangs the roof.
Not sure if you got an answer to this question yet. If there is no active failure, visual separation, then the yellowing of the leaves are probably not due to the union. Check the base of the tree and see if there are any girdling roots, roots that grow in a circular motion and make contact with the trunk. These can restrict water and nutrient flow to that section of tree. If you could take out the whole leader would depend on the tree age/maturity, size of the leader, and overall amount of foliage that would be removed along with it. Sounds like a cable and bolt along with some weight reduction (out at the tips of the defected limb, not on the interior of it) could save/preserve it. Of course this is just my thoughts without actually seeing the tree. Hope this helps
Subordinating or heading back limb would slow down its girth rate, allowing for more optimal growth rate ratio of attachment system. Thus no longer Including "Included" bark in growth process. If this was codominent stem union, then forget what I said. American Hackberry are like Red Oak family, live 120-160 years. Hack related to Elm, and resembles Ash.
Very informative, but I would like to have seen the finished project. I am trying to explain to a friend that proper pruning does not mean to leave a leafless stub when finished. He needs to see the beautiful, still-natural-looking pruned tree.
Please show us what equipment to use like the ropes and pulleys to use to perform this kind of work. Is DIY's such as me do not know what equipment to use and when to use it. Thk.
Thanks for this information. Just starting to prune a large tree at the back of the house and found you advice helpful. Using rope to tie the branches prior to them being cut make the job easier and safer. Only removing small thinnesh branches but they are heavy and the rope ensure no sudden movement when cut. All keep well.
Why use one if you don't need to? Those little hand saws are much lighter, dexterous, quiet, and razor sharp. For small cuts like that it's easier than using a chainsaw. Don't take my word for it, professional arborists regularly use these in addition to their chainsaws. Look around RU-vid and you will see.
Watch at 0:30 They start with a small string with a weight on the end and they throw the weight by hand up into the tree around a strong limb. Then they can use the string to pull their rope up and over the branch.
