Killing mature tree

Davesnave

davemorton wrote: »

Just on a side. I have an apple and a plum tree, both mature, that I want to 'make' smaller, could I just do this half way down the trunk, and would new branches develop there, so I can eventually half the size of the trees?

Depends a lot on the age of the trees and the variety, but in principle a tree can be reduced a great deal, though I wouldn't do it as radically as half way down the main trunk!

The problem with some fruit trees is that they're too vigorous for urban gardens, because of the type of root stock they're on. My neighbour had one like that in our old house; the tree having been there longer than the houses. Every 5 years or so it had to be lowered. The main stem stayed intact, but the upper growth was reduced by about half.

No one should cut back plums now as they should be done in mid summer when it's warm and the sap is rising. Otherwise, there's a danger of introducing the disease silver leaf through unhealed cuts. Apples are fine with winter pruning.

adouglasmhor

Another danger is the location of the graft between root stock and head. I have seen trees more or less coppiced or pollarded by an over zealous pruning and a totaly different variety appearing the next year (because the head stock has been removed allowing the root stock to grow), in apples that means you will be getting crab apples and not eaters.

armyknife

chriz1 wrote: »

Whats would be the best way to kill a mature tree it's about 30ft high, on my fathers land no tpo in place, we don't have access to a chainsaw and as its in the middle of his land with no surroundings then I'd say its safe for it to be killed at ground level and dealt with from there when it finally falls etc,
I am a herbicide sprayer by trade so have access to roundup pro biactive what would be the process using weed killer? Only ever sprayed small invasive weeds previously.
Also heard about a copper nail in the stump?

Why not repeatedly drive the back of your range rover into them?


(crosses fingers)

Rammyboy

i agree with Dave, Roundup Pro Biactive 450 is the best product by far. Either drill holes and pour the roundup in, or spray around the base and on any leaf tissue. This should do the job.

Even better, cut it down and paint the stump with roundup to stop it regrowing.

Make sure there isn't a tree preservation order on it, and for everyone you kill, you should plant two!

adouglasmhor

daftãrse wrote: »

Make sure there isn't a tree preservation order on it, and for everyone you kill, you should plant two!

Possibly you meant to say "every one" not "everyone" and the post you are replying to is from nearly 4 months ago.

DaftyDuck

adouglasmhor It's spam... several threads awoken from the grave for more garbage by the same person. Just, in this one, he forgot to add his own site! I'd delete the quote bit if I were you.... just helps the spammers.

I did report them all this am, but I guess the Mods are too busy ...