m

Storm in a tree cut.
Let me rephrase that to Storm over a tree cut.

A fully grown cherry tree in full bloom in the spring & early summer is a joy to behold.

We have one about 12 years old on the east lawn in the grounds of our retirement home.

The tree was pruned 2 years ago, and loved it, putting on about 2 metres growth in every direction.
This last year has seen an equally vigorous growth,
Unfortunately for me and nurse Gillian the tree’s branches are nearing our flat windows & blocking our view of the communal gardens.
There are 36 flats in the building & the owners are split into 3 camps.
- Fell it
-Over my dead body
-Continue pruning, hard.

Feelings are running high you may have guessed I am all for destroying it & to replace it with a smaller variety.

I have solicited quotes from tree surgeons for the various options, but I suspect even the most vocal residents will pale at the cost of the work.

To complicate matters, the tree almost certainly has a preservation order upon it, after a disturbance when the tree that preceded the cherry, a 100 ft Chilean Pine was damaged by the developers, causing its demise.

Hey Ho

Re: m

We have a hundred year old oak out the back blocks the sun in the summer makes a mess now, but I wouldn't hesitate to chain myself to it if it was threatened again. shortly after we first moved in 1989 I and another neighbour had to do it, I was younger then and we sat in the tree for several days. I'd have to chain myself to the trunk now my tree climbing days are behind me.

Re: m

Good luck with your tree. My husband and I are always cutting trees down but they are all much older than 12 years.

Re: m

I very much doubt a 12 year old cherry tree would have a preservation order on it. It should be OK to cut it down and plant something less vigorous. No need for a tree surgeon.

Re: m

I have a cherry tree in my garden, it is dead .
I got sick of cherry stones breaking the mower and the magpies squabbling over the unpleasant tasting cherries so I cut it back and it died.

I prefer it dead, it has a sculptural appearance and the birds like it

Re: m

Woman after my own heart there meg, I love a dead tree they are so full of character and dignity.

Re: m

I agree that it woild be very surprising if a 12 year old ornamental tree has any sort of preservation order on it, but whose holds the final decision on it's fate, the residents' committee?

Re: m

Excellent responses all.
Barry, the tree is protected by the lease covenant, the residents' committee is unregulated & has no constitution, most of my neighbours don't know their Asimina from their
Echinops.

Re: m

I'm guessing around £1000,00 to fell it but that's not bad divided by 36. I think it is a shame that people plant trees in areas where they will eventually grow too big and have to be cut down. People should take more care when planting a tree.

Re: m

exactly