Tree Trimming Experts

[The Gopher]

So i have a gigantic honey locust in the front of my house and there is one limb that just kind of shoots out there. Although it is hard to see in the picture it does overhang the house a bit and if it were to fall there could be some real damage, not to mention it looks a little funny where it is. would cutting off a limb of this size damage the tree long term? I'm just used to cutting trees down altogether

[RidgeRunner]

That is a strange looking tree.
You could, most likely, remove the lower limb with out doing any real damage to the tree.

However, That tree is not structurally sound now.  The Crotch at the top of the photo is likely to split someday.  Looks as if it would crass right into the house.

The tree has been pruned so that it is top heavy.  All the lower limbs, but one, have already been removed.

It would appere that most of the limbs were cut a bit to close to the main trunk.  This invites rot and poor healing where the limbs were removed.

The good news is it is a Locust.  They are tough and can take quite a bit of abuse.  They don't rot very fast and usually have strong roots. 

David

[bowtarist]

You can remove up to a third of a tree w/o causing damage.  I don't think it;s a honey locust though, maybe a black locust.  Honey locust have thorns all over the trunk.  I wouldn't cut it mysef if it were hanging over the house, but a trained arborist would have no problem.  My best buddy is an arborist. Probably cost you a couple hundred bucks to get that taken off there.  If there are powerlines anywhere around, you may be able to get the power company to come take it off for you, but I don't see any in the pic.

To RR, you are supposed to cut limbs close to the collar of the tree, the thick part where the limb comes out, that supports the healing process.  If a limb is left too long, that's when the rot happens.   

Good luck, dpg

[The Gopher]

Thanks guys, there are no power lines around, and it doesn't completely overhang the house so i'm comfortable doing the work i just wanted to get some opinions. It is definitely honey locust though, having worked with both in the past. There are thornless cultivars of honey locust and they're usually the ones that get planted at parks, houses etc.

I'll think about this next week after we get 6-12" inches of snow over the next two days!!!! What the heck!

[Olanigw (Pekane)]

Call an arborist that is certified with the International Society of Arboriculture.  They will be able to give you a much better answer, and take into account all the variables that aren't apparent in the pictures.  PM me where you live and I will get you in touch with a local expert.  I was in the game for a long time and my father is a Board Certified Master Arborist.

[Marks]

If it were me I'd climb up and just cut off that part hanging over the house and leave the rest of that limb. Its a conversation piece. Real unique.

[Joec123able]

I don't know, the tree is actually under a lot of stress with that big heavy limb hanging off like tht so it actually might help the tree by removing some of that branch

[Olanigw (Pekane)]

To reiterate:
Get a truly professional opinion.

Fact is, EVERY tree will eventually either fail or be cut down.  EVERY branch will either be pruned or come down on its own, eventually.

Just looking at your picture, I can tell you're in a suburban area, built probably in the 50's to 60's.  Trees in good condition can add big $$$ to property value, and a consultation is usually cheap or free enough.

[Eric Krewson]

I have cut several trees off houses and would tie a rope(chain or cable would be better) to the limb about 20 feet from the tree, keep a little pressure on the rope pulling away from the house, notch the limb about 4" deep on the side away from the house and start cutting from the top down very slowly. As the limb starts to droop I would apply more rope pressure away from the house. You would want to stand on the side of the tree away from your house to do your cutting.



This would be a matter of cut an inch, see what happens, cut another inch and gradually let the limbs upper branches settle to the ground or at least far enough down so you can reach the top branches to remove them and work your way back toward the main tree trunk.

Of course my advice is worth every penny you paid for it.

[sleek]

I would trim it down a bit until it is more.... anatomically correct. Then Hire a guy with a chainsaw who can carve well and make it look more like what it already looks like. Talk about a conversational piece! Tie a couple tether balls under it for good measure.
If you accidentally cut to much off, and are concerned about the size of your branch, you can always trim the bush down there a bit to make it look bigger.

[Josh B]

I would trim it down a bit until it is more.... anatomically correct. Then Hire a guy with a chainsaw who can carve well and make it look more like what it already looks like. Talk about a conversational piece! Tie a couple tether balls under it for good measure.
If you accidentally cut to much off, and are concerned about the size of your branch, you can always trim the bush down there a bit to make it look bigger.

Sleek...you ain't right man!  If I didn't already know you were a swabby, this post would of told me so.
As far as the tree goes, I would cut the branch into 6 foot sections and split into staves.  Honey locust isn't the best bow wood, but it will make a bow.  Josh

[sleek]

Hehe.. sorry, but I'm still laughing. If I can't be immatureat the age of 30, when can I be?

[Joec123able]

I would trim it down a bit until it is more.... anatomically correct. Then Hire a guy with a chainsaw who can carve well and make it look more like what it already looks like. Talk about a conversational piece! Tie a couple tether balls under it for good measure.
If you accidentally cut to much off, and are concerned about the size of your branch, you can always trim the bush down there a bit to make it look bigger.

HahahaHaha

[Eric Krewson]

I have a double trunk poplar in a flower bed behind the house, that has to go. It was a little six incher 10 yeas ago but is at least 24" today at the base with one trunk leaning toward my shop. This will be a cable and pull job to keep it off my shop, may whack it Friday, will take pictures of the process.

[Marks]

I can't imagine it putting too much stress that low on the tree. The higher up the trunk the more stress. Up on the left split would make a good swing spot. I vote leave it.