Please help me identify this tree

[heymammy]

I have this fine old tree in my front garden which I thought was a fir or some sort but I've tried the woodlands trust tree identifier and I'm getting no where.

I'd like to research whether it can be topped and thinned out with no lasting damage as it's just getting too tall and wide, so need to know what it is!

Tree is pointed at the top, very dead close to the trunk but lush and green on the outside. No leaves but not really needles either, they are soft and pliable.

Hope the photos attach, please ask away if you more info, I'm a tree luddite so don't know what else to include

www.treeguideuk.co.uk/conifer-key/

Can you take a photo of the whole shape?

Definitely a conifer of some sort.

Conifers generally don't regrow from dead wood, ie any wood with no green growth, so if you reshape it, you will need to keep within the green area if you wnat it to be green.

Juniper? Any berries or small cones visible?

Yew?

Thanks everyone for responding

I've never noticed and berries or cones but that's not to say there aren't any. In fact, definitely no berries, I'm sure I would have noticed.

The closest match on the treeguide above is a Japanese red cedar but the bark is very definitely brown and not red.

Full shape photo should be attached

I'll use the info you've given me and see what I can uncover, thanks so much for your help

8 years between those two photos btw the tree has exploded!

Sorry, but that is a tree that needs to go. If you top it, the pointy shape will be gone and what you will have is a shapeless bush. If you keave it, you andcall your neighbours will live in its shade.

Get rid and plant something more suitable for a front garden. Your neighbours will thank you.

Sorry, but that is a tree that needs to go. If you top it, the pointy shape will be gone and what you will have is a shapeless bush. If you keave it, you andcall your neighbours will live in its shade.

Maybe OP doesn't want to get rid of it?

Definitely not a yew.

OP knows it's already too big and wide. This is what you end up with if you don't get these things under control or out

Three of these, presumably planted next door to screen the shed. Now in no way screening the shed, but casting year round heavy shade over a large part of 2 neighbours gardens. And now a huge job to sort, whereas 15 years ago it would have been a DIY job.

Whatever it is it's going to get big, it's a lovely tree but has been planted far too close to the house for a tree that's going to get at least 40m tall. Sadly I have to agree with pp that it will need to be removed soon before it starts to affect foundations or is blown over on to the house, taking the top out will ruin it.

It’s a Christmas tree!!!

Don't take it down until after bord nesting season, though, just in case.

And research something lovely to put in its place.

Perhaps Killarney Strawberry tree? (Arbutus unido)

@Justilou1

It’s a Christmas tree!!!

Same thought but it needs to go and then you will realise how lovely and light your house is.

Conifers are really hard to get back into shape - it'll look odd and wrong.

It's the wrong tree in the wrong place.

Get rid (after bird nesting) and plant something a bit further away from the house and more suited to a front garden.

It is a Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard'.

Hot damn, I was really hoping it could be saved! It's great for stopping folk goggling in the window but doesn't block much light yet bizarrely.

It is now too tall and wide though so if I can't top it without it staying stumpy forever them it'll need to go.

I don't know who did the planting but there were also three properly massive trees, taller than the house, on the boundary between us and our non attached neighbour. Basically 10ft away from each house! Idiots.

@Justilou1

It’s a Christmas tree!!!

Lmao! The first year we moved in we did try to string lights around it

@yamadori

It is a Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard'.

Brilliant yamadori thank you, it is indeed. Sadly it'll be an ex Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard by the end of the year.

I love the pops of colour on those strawberry trees MrsBertBibby

I'm thinking of a purple acer or similar.

Thanks for the advice everyone, much appreciated

Acer are great, but check you're not on alkaline soil, they hate it.

Also deciduous, do they won't give you privacy,,

Not evergreen but an amelanchier or a weeping pear tree would provide privacy in spring and summer.

I love trees but that one needs to go before its roots damage your/your neighbours foundations, it’s much too close to the houses.