Tree pruning

Discussion in 'Trees' started by collinsc, Aug 4, 2025.

Tags:
  1. collinsc

    collinsc Gardener

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2011
    Messages:
    53
    Ratings:
    +15
    Hi

    I will be getting a couple of quotes to prune this tree.

    In advance, would be good to understand if others have experience on what sort of cost this should be?

    Tree.png

    Thanks!
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    56,460
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +110,209
    If its so close to the house and you need to prune it I'd be inclined to have it removed, you could end up getting it pruned every two years.
    Do you know what kind of tree it is?
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • collinsc

      collinsc Gardener

      Joined:
      Jul 14, 2011
      Messages:
      53
      Ratings:
      +15
      I believe it is a beech tree.

      I'm happy to pay for it to be pruned every 2 years and keep it. It's an integral part of our garden.

      The house has been here 6 and hasn't been pruned yet though.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • Friendly Friendly x 1
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

        Joined:
        Jan 9, 2005
        Messages:
        56,460
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Mid Kent
        Ratings:
        +110,209
        I wouldn'y have any idea about cost but its fairly small so probably not more than a hundred or so I would have thought.
        I'd probably do a tree that size myself.
        maybe best done in winter.
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • collinsc

          collinsc Gardener

          Joined:
          Jul 14, 2011
          Messages:
          53
          Ratings:
          +15
          Thanks.
          Good to have a ball park figure.
           
        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

          Joined:
          Jan 9, 2005
          Messages:
          56,460
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Mid Kent
          Ratings:
          +110,209
          Dont quote me on that, its just how much I would be prepared to pay.:smile:
           
        • collinsc

          collinsc Gardener

          Joined:
          Jul 14, 2011
          Messages:
          53
          Ratings:
          +15
          I'll send you an invoice if its more ! :rolleyespink:

          I'd agree, i wouldnt expect to be paying much more than that.
           
          • Funny Funny x 2
          • Adam I

            Adam I Super Gardener

            Joined:
            Nov 22, 2023
            Messages:
            617
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Hijinks
            Location:
            Hampshire
            Ratings:
            +962
            Dont forget its the journey there, cost of insurance and stuff. Its a small job but still.

            We have a telescoping pruner we use for that kinda thing, worth investing in if you plan to prune it regularly. Could also ask neighbours
             
            • Like Like x 2
            • collinsc

              collinsc Gardener

              Joined:
              Jul 14, 2011
              Messages:
              53
              Ratings:
              +15
              Good thought - thanks!
               
            • Thevictorian

              Thevictorian Super Gardener

              Joined:
              Mar 14, 2024
              Messages:
              981
              Ratings:
              +1,829
              I would get an id on the tree first as it doesn't look like a beech from the picture. A close up will help but it looks more prunus at the moment which will limit when it can be tamed. Beech grow into enormous trees but can be kept small (it's why they make good hedges) but prunus are variable and won't stay as nice looking with constant cutting.

              I'm always one for keeping trees but if you know what you have, you will know what you are dealing with and might consider it's better to remove it now and plant something that won't get out of hand in its place.
               
              • Agree Agree x 4
              • Like Like x 1
              • JennyJB

                JennyJB Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Mar 13, 2024
                Messages:
                1,703
                Gender:
                Female
                Location:
                Doncaster, South Yorkshire
                Ratings:
                +6,044
                I think it looks more like prunus (cherry) or malus (crab apple) than beech (something about the bark), but as it's been there 6 years you'd know if it had spring blossom.

                You need to know what it is before its pruned, because prunus should be pruned in summer (ie now) to reduce the risk of diseases getting into the wounds. Most other trees are normally pruned in winter when they're dormant. A good tree surgeon will be able to ID it and know the correct time to prune, and the best approach to keep it looking nice.

                There are a lot of hack-and-slash merchants out there who are probably OK for trimming hedges but they tend to "prune" trees and shrubs by clipping everything into blobs or blobs-on-sticks, so be careful who you choose.
                 
                • Agree Agree x 3
                • Like Like x 1
                • infradig

                  infradig Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Apr 28, 2022
                  Messages:
                  1,636
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Freelance self preservationist
                  Location:
                  Solent
                  Ratings:
                  +1,963
                  Avoid itinerants like the plague !
                  Get a verifiable address and phone number (local landline is best) and ask re credentials/insurances/references. You only want them to return by invitation.....
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • NigelJ

                    NigelJ Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Jan 31, 2012
                    Messages:
                    9,088
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Occupation:
                    Mad Scientist
                    Location:
                    Paignton Devon
                    Ratings:
                    +29,024
                    I agree with @JennyJB it doesn't look like a beech to me, both the leaf and bark don't look right for beech.
                    beech-3-1.jpg

                    0000253_european-beech.jpg
                     
                    • Like Like x 1
                    • Adam I

                      Adam I Super Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Nov 22, 2023
                      Messages:
                      617
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Occupation:
                      Hijinks
                      Location:
                      Hampshire
                      Ratings:
                      +962
                      yes leaves and bark look like a cherry of some kind
                       
                      • Like Like x 1
                      • collinsc

                        collinsc Gardener

                        Joined:
                        Jul 14, 2011
                        Messages:
                        53
                        Ratings:
                        +15
                        Hi All

                        Tree has been there 6 years, we've been here nearly 2...

                        I've used a plant finder app and it says "Wild Cherry"...
                         
                      Gardeners Corner is dependent on Donation to keep running, if you enjoy using Gardeners Corner, please consider donating to help us with our operating costs.
                      Loading...

                      Share This Page

                      1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                        By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                        Dismiss Notice