To think my friend is mad to spend £400 decimating a tree...?

[ilovejonty]

The tree in question was a beatuiful silver birch, not sure how high it was but probably twice as high as a 2 storey house. It was right at the bottom of the garden and looked beautiful IMO. It has been clumsily lopped, again just imho, I am no tree surgeon, but I think it is now really ugly, all stumpy with bits they couldn't reach still poking out at the sides. She is always moaning about money being tight so I think this was an expense too far....??

I am not aware there were any problems with the tree apart from she just thought it was too tall?!!

yes, she was a bit (?? a lot) daft. However, she probably now realises this and doesn't need telling if it looks that bad!!

Dont trees have to be cut back to keep them healthy?
Maybe it was also blocking the light from her house if it was that big....

We used to have 2 beautiful trees in ou front garden. Landlady had to have them cut because apparently the council decided they were to close to the house and therefore dangerous. We do now have much more light in the livingroom but all the birds have gone with the trees, . Maybe your friend did not have a choice either. It least in our case we did not have to pay for the tree to be cut.

Could be a safety thing. If it was that tall would it have damaged house etc. if falling in winter?
Will be fine again in Spring with all the foliage back on

We have a lovely silver birch at the bottom of our garden too. But it was interfering with power lines so had to be cut back. But I borrowed some long-handled cutters and Dh got up on a ladder and cut it. Cost - £0. Unless it was a very very big silver birch and IME they aren't massive trees, £400 was a rip off.