Thoughtful commentary as always. I see a lot of these problems consistently here in southwest Florida. Our live oaks (Quercus Virginiana I think) grow very slowly and spread farther out than up, and so people prune them mercilessly, often leaving large wounds.
After watching your videos, I cringe when I think of the damage I have in the past done to my trees through improper pruning. All is not lost, however, as I salvage what wood I can to turn bowls.
I've rarely seen a large branch removal, even with a perfect cut, heal before the rot goes deep. I tell customers it's the difference in cutting off a finger versus arm. Usually it's an unavoidable situation but I know the likely outcome isn't great.
We've all had bad experiences with ants, but my WORST was that old black and white "B" movie from the fifties. They didn't show them till the end. (Like all the cool monster movies) At about a foot long, their faces looked like they had just received a VERY high tree bid! Good stuff here on an unfortunately common problem.
I'm learning so much about why I've seen trees with failed limbs while out for my walks over the years, one day while out for a walk I noticed that a branch on a tree that my partner and I frequently stand under to watch the kingfishers flying by had developed a crack, it seems that the limb had been twisting due to too much weight being left on one side of it after what i would have called unnecessary pruning was done during a much hotter than usual summer a year ago to make it easier to get under the tree, well about a week later we where in the same spot and I noticed that the whole limb was now gruesomely twisted and looked like It was seconds away from failure... sure enough just as we where walking away there was an almighty bang and crack with which the limb came crashing down and into the river, the 25 degree Celsius (77°F ) Scottish sun had been blasting this limb since it had been meddled with, the poor thing didn't stand a chance
Always watch and try and learn something so I can come away a little more knowledgeable, not as good as hands on but still more than I knew before I watched. Cheers
Such a shame to lose a great tree. Could you or do you have in your archives a video teaching us how to make the proper cut when pruning those limbs to hopefully avoid the future decay. Thanks
@@arboristBlairGlenn Southern BC glaciers say it will be warmer:) most likely, the region will get more rain but concentrated in the fall and winter. Higher temperatures and drought in the spring and summer.
You know, I'm 62 years old... I'm never gonna bid a tree job... I'm not working anymore... I'm not a tree guy, but, gardener at best... I don't know why you ask people for input bidding a hazardous tree with metal and cables?... I would get offended at idiot customers with hostile or dangerous situations or cleaning up their messes... Get a land clearing specialist for that! If the job has hazards, the customer pays for every broken chain and every broken or damaged piece of equipment... Also, the customer pays for every minute of my decking around to avoid hazards or do things the right way! That's why I always charged by the hour, Pruning or tree work, $35.00/hr. Simple!
I would tend to agree with you, that tree is really in bad shape. It definitely doesn't have much time left, lots of die back and major decay spreading into the main trunk. If it were mine I probably would have had it removed. But it is the client's tree, and if they aren't ready to lose it yet and the tree can be pruned in a way to make it safe enough then it ends up staying, even if the tree does have only a few years before it gets so bad it simply has to go
I learn so much new things about trees from your videos every video! Sometimes it also helps me out too, can’t imagine not having you on UA-cam!
Thanks Melvin
That was a good video thanks for taking the time and explaining some of that stuff. You have some good information. Glad you're passing it on
Thanks Dan. Be safe out there
Thoughtful commentary as always. I see a lot of these problems consistently here in southwest Florida. Our live oaks (Quercus Virginiana I think) grow very slowly and spread farther out than up, and so people prune them mercilessly, often leaving large wounds.
After watching your videos, I cringe when I think of the damage I have in the past done to my trees through improper pruning. All is not lost, however, as I salvage what wood I can to turn bowls.
I've rarely seen a large branch removal, even with a perfect cut, heal before the rot goes deep. I tell customers it's the difference in cutting off a finger versus arm. Usually it's an unavoidable situation but I know the likely outcome isn't great.
I don’t recommend limb removal unless justified by decay or cracks.
We've all had bad experiences with ants, but my WORST was that old black and white "B" movie from the fifties. They didn't show them till the end. (Like all the cool monster movies) At about a foot long, their faces looked like they had just received a VERY high tree bid! Good stuff here on an unfortunately common problem.
👍🏻👍🏻
I'm learning so much about why I've seen trees with failed limbs while out for my walks over the years, one day while out for a walk I noticed that a branch on a tree that my partner and I frequently stand under to watch the kingfishers flying by had developed a crack, it seems that the limb had been twisting due to too much weight being left on one side of it after what i would have called unnecessary pruning was done during a much hotter than usual summer a year ago to make it easier to get under the tree, well about a week later we where in the same spot and I noticed that the whole limb was now gruesomely twisted and looked like It was seconds away from failure... sure enough just as we where walking away there was an almighty bang and crack with which the limb came crashing down and into the river, the 25 degree Celsius (77°F ) Scottish sun had been blasting this limb since it had been meddled with, the poor thing didn't stand a chance
Always watch and try and learn something so I can come away a little more knowledgeable, not as good as hands on but still more than I knew before I watched. Cheers
Glad you appreciated this. A lot of folks don’t understand, or don’t care.
Some damn big, heavy wood to be hanging by a thread.
I am thankful that you and your guys work safe.
Our work is always hazardous
For alot of guys, that's part of the fun! (Shhh Blair, don't lie.)
How long does it take for trees, to grow their leaves back when the spring comes around?
Depends on the species but generally a few weeks.
Hey Blair,
Thanks for the content, what’s the green algae looking stuff that grows on coast live oaks ?
Moss and lichens
Ants 🐜, Fungi, Flush Cuts Omy 🤣
Can't fix whats already been done my friend. 🤘😎✌️
Not fix but prolong through weight reduction on weak and heavy limbs.
Such a shame to lose a great tree. Could you or do you have in your archives a video teaching us how to make the proper cut when pruning those limbs to hopefully avoid the future decay. Thanks
Yes, lots of examples in many of my videos about proper cuts
Blair, you're a good man.... can't even comment today, too tired....see you a different time, I'm sure you guys did a good job!!!
Yeah, I’m tired too. Long day, big Chinese Elm trim.
@@arboristBlairGlenn - Busy trees, those....
Just curious if you have an opinion on which species of trees will move up to BC from California in a 100 years time?
Will it be warmer or colder in 100 years?
@@arboristBlairGlenn Southern BC glaciers say it will be warmer:) most likely, the region will get more rain but concentrated in the fall and winter. Higher temperatures and drought in the spring and summer.
Thanks for responding!
Oh, ouch, flush cuts...
Bark/Branch Ridge...
Decisions, decisions...
And we have to make those decisions
How long did it take for you to become a arborist?
Been working trees for fifty years. The Certification program came out in 1989. I took my test in 1990. Studied for a year.
Why are oak trees so common
Likely because so many animals carry the acorns off and bury them
You know, I'm 62 years old...
I'm never gonna bid a tree job...
I'm not working anymore...
I'm not a tree guy, but, gardener at best...
I don't know why you ask people for input bidding a hazardous tree with metal and cables?...
I would get offended at idiot customers with hostile or dangerous situations or cleaning up their messes... Get a land clearing specialist for that!
If the job has hazards, the customer pays for every broken chain and every broken or damaged piece of equipment...
Also, the customer pays for every minute of my decking around to avoid hazards or do things the right way!
That's why I always charged by the hour, Pruning or tree work, $35.00/hr.
Simple!
I think I would have taken the whole tree down. ??
Not my decision
I would tend to agree with you, that tree is really in bad shape. It definitely doesn't have much time left, lots of die back and major decay spreading into the main trunk. If it were mine I probably would have had it removed.
But it is the client's tree, and if they aren't ready to lose it yet and the tree can be pruned in a way to make it safe enough then it ends up staying, even if the tree does have only a few years before it gets so bad it simply has to go
Excuse me sir, I'm curious if there was any chance I could pick your brain?