Removal of a large Norway Maple (pic heavy)

16 years ago

I had a terrible infestation of Acer platanoides in the yard and I'm excited about making so much progress removing this extremely invasive non-native tree. Many smaller trees in the 1-9 inch diameter range have already been removed. I've pulled and weed wrenched hundreds of seedlings and saplings, and there are still many seedlings growing everywhere.

On Friday, I had 2 large Acer platanoides removed from my yard. A friend who owns a tree service did the work at a very reasonable price. He also topped and snagged two other Norways that were girdled and limbed 2 other trees (a Linden and a Siberian Elm).

But I have to admit, I miss the trees. There are huge empty gaps where the trees used to be. It's more open, and seems windier through the yard. It will take some getting used to. The upside is I that instead of spending so much time (and $$$) removing this invasive species, I will be able to plant several more gardens, a shrub border, and many nice understory trees and shrubs! Without the competition from these Norways.

Here is a picture of the biggest tree that was removed. This tree had a 30 inch DBH and was about 50 years old. The canopy probably spread nearly 75 feet. It dominated this site.

The removal is well underway. The left side leader has largely been cut.

Now they're working on the leader on the right side.

With the climbing work done, the arborist comes down.

He's only got to give this big piece of trunk a tap or two at this point and "timber, she'll fall".

And then the stump is ground...

Now there's nothing left, but a pile of wood shavings, and big open gap where the canopy used to be!

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

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Comments (6)

pineresin
16 years ago
See there's a couple of dead pines the NM had killed off . . . there's one idea for replanting!

Was the expense of piecemeal cutting really necessary? Could it not have just been felled straight off at ground level, without needing all that climbing?

Resin
terrene
Original Author
16 years ago
They couldn't just drop that tree because there are gardens and a baby shrub/tree nursery (as well as the lawn) just in front of the area where they are working. Also I didn't want to hit the dead trees, the White Pine in back and other natives. But that tree came down really fast compared to the other large one that was next to the house.

Yes those are two dead Pinus resinosa the Norway killed off. There are about a dozen Red pine snags that were victims of either Acer platanoides or Celastrus orbiculatus. I asked him not to hit those because I'm leaving all the snags up for the birds. I'm planning to use them as a natural trellis and start growing native vines up them next spring as cover and food for the birds. And there are still about 18 Red pines that are alive and healthy scattered through the yard.

He said I was the first customer that asked him to take down live trees and leave up the dead ones! :)
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alabamatreehugger 8b SW Alabama
16 years ago
It looks like it will provide some firewood for someone this winter. I too have been clearing out invasive trees and shrubs, mostly Chinese Tallow and Ligustrum. You'll be surprised how fast the native plants will fill in once the invasives are gone. After a few years those gaps won't even be noticible. I have uncovered plants like native blueberries and sassafras that I didn't even know I had before.
pineresin
16 years ago
"He said I was the first customer that asked him to take down live trees and leave up the dead ones! :)"

Nice one!!!
botann
16 years ago
The wood won't be good for firewood this year. Plan on next year.
I would have cut down a lot more trees, but then I'm used to more landscape change than the average homeowner, having been a landscape contractor for almost thirty years and living on ten acres.
Fledgeling_
16 years ago
Very nice there, I had personally girdled some Norway maples on my grandmotherÂs land awhile ago, but they are resprouting form the base now. I should note that lindens are prolific sprouters , but are not invasive, because their seeds have an absolutely horrible predation rate and maddening dormancy requirements.