10/30/2026
Yesterday, we returned to work for a loyal customer we’ve had the pleasure of helping several times over the years. Their property has been in the family for decades, and this tree holds a great deal of sentimental value. Understandably, they wanted to give it every possible chance to remain.
The tree had two large, failing leaders that threatened to fall, one extending directly over the neighbor’s house along with several smaller, competing leaders that were also in poor condition. Before proceeding, we explained that removing this much of the tree would exceed generally accepted pruning recommendations and could further compromise its health. Our recommendation was removal as the best long-term option financially.
The homeowner, who is knowledgeable about trees, understood and agreed with our assessment but wanted to make an effort to preserve a tree that means so much to the family. With that understanding, they chose to proceed with trimming out the hazard leaders over removal.
The finished tree has an unusual appearance that may resemble “lion’s tailing.” However, we did not strip the lower or interior branches from the remaining leaders. The appearance resulted from removing the failing, damaged, and competing leaders while retaining the growth on the portions left standing.
The tree’s future remains uncertain, but the homeowner is hopeful and eager to see how it responds. We sincerely hope it does better than expected and that the family can continue enjoying this meaningful part of their property for years to come. 🌳
