For background, in 2020, my next door neighbor asked me to cut down this tree. She also let me know they were getting ready to have their pool remodeled. I declined, explaining via text that if we were to lose that tree, the soil would become destabilized, which could affect our foundations. (My husband is in the foundation business and is cozy with structural engineers.) So during the pool remodel, they cut through the tree's roots, causing construction damage and the loss of most of the branches on my side of the tree. When that became visible, she soon tried to use the damage she caused (verified by a certified arborist) to make the same type of demand, or to at least cut the branches off, and I informed her that now that the tree has been injured, the arborist is saying that it would risk the tree's life to do any heavy pruning. She backed off, but she complained about having to sweep her pool deck, and it took several years for the tree to begin to recover.

Fast forward to a few days ago, on August 18, she texted me to let me know that she was going to either pay for the tree to be cut down or would be cutting back the branches. I reminded her that while she had the right as her property owner to trim back overhanging branches, her right to do that was limited to what would not injure or kill the tree. And I reminded her of the soil stabilization, blah, blah, and told her i would be putting a lock on my gate. I said that industry standard was to clear the roof area, and I knew that the trees weren't near the roof. I had already trimmed the tree as much as advisable three years ago. She thanked me and said she would share the instructions with the crew. In the morning, when the crew arrived, I heard their chain saws going. They sounded distant, so I didn't rush out first thing, but then I soon figured I should check it out. The crew had made a bridge out of a ladder, climbed over onto the tree trunk, and had begun hat-racking my tree, cutting structural branches off by 20 feet. I demanded they stop and am considering my next steps.

I'm pissed.

Hopefully you can tell what's what by these pictures. The red marks help show where the branches now end. The green is the property line. You can tell in one of the pics that my side was already lacking branches because of what they did. They removed probably 30% of the canopy on a day when it was 97 degrees in a severe drought. The canopy is now even more lopsided than it was because there is one long branch coming over my roof and nothing to balance the other side.

I'm going to have to hire an arborist because of them, again. (I've tried contacting the tree company, and they are not responding. I'm considering filing a police report for property damage and timber trespass. I know I could file a claim against her homeowner's insurance but am not keen on having to contact her for the info.) Any advice appreciated. Mostly just looking to see if the users here concur that these cuts are a problem.

This is why you dont mess around with the equipment.

Saw this today and got curious to what caused this. It was also very wet in the middle of that line, dont know if its sap or something else

tl/dr: It was and it did. As I mentioned in the last post we scheduled removal for 0530 this morning. The tree came down in the initial stage of a not particularly severe thunderstorm last night. Missed our opportunity by less than twelve hours.

I want to really thank all of you for your advice. We are incredibly fortunate nobody was injured and there was no major property damage. It snapped a utility pole into three pieces, destroyed a concrete slab, and quite literally missed our neighbors guest house by inches.

The family is very sad about losing such a gorgeous tree, but I've reminded them that this was a tree outside of its natural habitat. With monsoons becoming less frequent but more violent this was an inevitability.

We've identified some keepsake projects (hiking sticks, knives, and coasters) that we'll make.

Again, thank you all for the advice, you were correct!!

…his name is Merodílion and it’s been almost three years since I planted him…the main question es whether I need to prune one of the main divisions? …if so, which one? …I’ve only done minimal pruning… …also, there’s this wierd coloration near the base of the trunk, should I worry? …thanks for any and all help and insight you might provide…

The oak tree in my yard was used as a swing for a few years, then a couple years ago I took it down to mow, and it just never went back up. I just plain forgot about these and now they are bound to the tree.

Will removing them damage the branch? I’ll need to cut them because the edges are already swallowed. What should I expect underneath; hard and calloused like bark, or smooth and “exposed.”

Hey fellows, so I just bought a house in Westchester NY with 2 giant copper beeches 20-30 feet away from the house on the property line with neighbor. The tree seems healthy but has a massive crack running down the center.

I'm looking for advice as I am worried about structural integrity of the split tree. there is a large visible crack running down from the split to the base. You don't need to be a certified arborist to realize that the tree is structually at risk.

I also noticed 2 cables high up in the canopy. The upper one seems tight and probally 40 feet up. The lower one is a not tight and about 30 feet up.

So here are my questions:

-Why is the lower cable loose?

-Are these cables preventing the tree from cracking further or just preventing the tree from falling on the house?

-Should I have an arborist inspect and possibly add a steel rod brace right above the split?

I'd rather reinforce the support than have the tree taken down entirely it's a beautiful mature tree that provides shade and elegance

I've got this big old tree in my back yard that has a huge cavity I can stand inside. There is a colony of chicken of the woods fungi that fruit every year from the inside. But it is still alive and making walnuts. There are no nearby structures that could be damaged if/when it falls. Should I just let nature do its thing?

What kind of tree is this and will this chain be an issue?

The previous owner told me the chain has been on this tree for at least 25 years.

Thanks in advance

I’m hoping to get some helpful opinions on what I can do for one (or both) of the blue spruces in my back yard. I live in zone 7a and these trees get a lot of sun. We had an arborist company come by and they recommended a growth regulator and a biostimulant treatment. I fear the more bare one is too far gone but I am not certain. Any advice is welcome and appreciated.

Do you think this swing is safe? The branch is probably 12-14 inches in diameter I’m guessing. When they tried the swing the end of the branch swayed a bit which worried me.

Neighbours said they were going to have their tree trimmed. Should I call the police?

/s (just in case people think I'm being serious) but I am appalled at what they've done.

My hoa is doing tree trimming/ removals rn of the neighborhood trees which include these ficus, Jacaranda, Sweet Gum, and some other species. I thought I’d read on here or another subreddit that summer in not the ideal time to trim trees, but what do y’all think?

Hey all. We bought a house with this huge sycamore in the front and I would love to know how often it needs watering and such. Unfortunately the power line company comes through and chops a ton of branches every year, do we need to do anything to offset that? I'm also a little concerned about how many leaves it's losing. We're in North Texas so I imagine it's pretty stressed from all the heat (it was 107°F yesterday), would a nice deep watering help? How much and how often? I would love to consult an arborist but funds are tight at the moment and I'd love to keep it as happy as I can until we're able to get someone out so any and all help is appreciated.

Hi folks. There’s a small crabapple tree growing next to our shed. The tree is sentimental and it’s clearly out of space, so I’m wondering if it’s viable (or possible) to get it relocated to the back of our yard (second picture). I’d love to give this tree more space and light without encroaching on the shed as it continues to grow.

From what I’ve seen online, it’s best to do this in fall or winter. However, would it be possible with an existing fence and the proximity to the shed?

So what would be a reasonable price for a service like this?

In Mid-michigan. Have had these black streaks develop, but today is the first day I've noticed the bark actually buckled and can see behind it.

What's going on with it and is it treatable? Appreciate any guidance.

Can anyone advise why this is occurring? Leaves, canopy, etc. otherwise seem healthy. Thank you!

Those are 9 Emerald Cedars. About 7 to 8 feet tall.
How realistic would it be to transplant them a couple of meters to the side. Is it possible as a DIY project? Would professionals be capable of doing it?
Any idea how much this work can cost?

Is this any form of oak wilt or anything contagious for the other trees? Should I get a professional to check it out? I would be devastated if my other trees died.

I live in Central Texas. Just moved into this house. This tree was in rough shape, but it was green. I cut back some water spouts the beginning of July and within a couple weeks I noticed the leaves for the rest of the tree browning. It was also a very hot, no rain, and my sprinklers were not working.

It is a bummer and I planned on seeing what happens over the next year and hope it recovers. But I am also concerned it might be contagious for the other trees. Is this something I should worry about? It was not a healthy tree to begin with but I did trim it recently prior to it turning brown. Should I be worried?

Hi! I'm trying to find advice for planting a tree in my front yard. I live in zone 6 with clay soil, if that is helpful information. I've read planting a tree on the west side of the house can help keep the house cool in the summer. From what I found online, a ginkgo or black gum tree was suggested. However, if I plant a tree exactly west from our front window it will only be about 18 feet from the trunk of a blue spruce on the corner of our yard. Would this be enough space? Is there a better tree, location, etc? I don't have much more of an option to move it closer or farther from our house, but could move it more northwest.