Can this tree be saved? Is there another way to protect the house?

DharmaCakes, member

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From the side yard

View of the side of the house from the golf course. Arrow points to the tree in question.

Close up of what the "ugly" side of the tree looks like.

From the side yard

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Can this tree be saved?

We bought our house 2 years ago and had to remove the tree that was next to this one (It was bigger and was growing into this tree and onto our roof). the offending tree was removed while I was at work; I came home to the realization that it had really compromised the remaining tree. Will this tree eventually fill out? Anything I can do to encourage this?

If the answer is no, I have another "problem". We live on a golf course and this guy provides the house some protection from errant balls. You wouldn't believe the number of balls/bad golfers! :) Anyone have any thoughts on what to do here if we have to remove this tree? Something that will protect the house while adding to the landscape? I'm at a total and complete loss! (the second pic provides an idea of what the yard looks like from afar).

I'm in Zone 6.
Thanks in advance for your help!

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OH MY GOSH...WHAT DID I GET INTO???

Comments (3)

execland writes: The first thing you need to do and soon is take some wieght off the tree. The two trees protected each other from the wind, and now that one is gone, the wind will take the remaining tree down, and fast. I would prune the first 5-6 branch rings(from the ground up) completely off the tree, making sure you cut them back to the trunk. I would then prune all the dead wood and selectivly prune some interior branches to allow the wind to pass through. Most likely, the tree will not fill out, but if you try to lighten the load the tree carries to one side chances for survial should be good. Staking the tree with a large cable in the ground may also be nessesary. Fertilize and sray with dormant oil to get the tree as healthy as possible. Keep your fingers crossed ! Posted: 6:24 pm on March 8th

MaggieR writes: Have you had an arborist out to look at this tree? That would be my first suggestion. Those dead branches are an invitation to disease and bugs, not to mention coming down in a storm. Have a tree expert remove them and advise about the general health of the tree. It also seems to be leaning a bit...is that just an optical illusion from this photo? Conifers do not always fill back in once those limbs are damaged. If you need to take it down in the near future, you could plant something fast growing on either side, like white pines or Leyland cypress, so that when the big tree comes down something is started in its place. In addition, consider some smaller shrubs mixed in, such as viburnum or aronia, to make this whole area a bird-friendly hedgerow habitat. Best of luck Posted: 6:13 pm on December 14th

geron1mo writes: I would never remove a specimen that large. I think it will eventually fill out. Trees have a way of looking out for themselves, and this one is relieved its neighbor is gone. You might want to watch it for signs of infestation as it recovers; also remove any dead or broken branches. Posted: 3:54 am on November 16th

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