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Original poster

Butchered tree

35 replies

LivingDeadGirlUK · 01/06/2024 13:19

Hi someone has butchered some trees in my garden, literally ripped the branches off :(

What do I need to do to hopefully let it regrow if anything? Really don't want to have a dead tree :(

Butchered tree
OP posts:
Arghgerroffyabastard · 01/06/2024 13:22

If you cut both broken arms off just above where they branch you’ll minimise the chance of disease. It’ll bud up and grow from that point.

Original poster
LivingDeadGirlUK · 01/06/2024 13:40

Would it be ok to do that with a hacksaw?

OP posts:
Angrymum22 · 01/06/2024 13:51

That looks like an Acer. I have just reduce one from about 30ft to 5ft. We left one lower branch on with leaves intact and it is already producing new growth from the main trunk.
It has been severely cut back in the past and responded with vigorous growth and ended up 30ft.
Im now hoping it recovers so that I can maintain it at around 6ft as a giant bonsai.
I would cut off the broken branches to neaten up. You can get stuff to treat the exposed wood but we have never bothered.
The tree was cut back about a month ago and so far looks ok. Acer can go into shock, when they drop their leaves suddenly but this one hasn’t reacted.

Butchered tree
Original poster
LivingDeadGirlUK · 01/06/2024 14:02

Fingers crossed it survives. As you can tell I'm not much of a gardener but hacking my trees down was so spiteful. Now my garden has little shade for the summer :(

OP posts:
EnjoyingTheSilence · 01/06/2024 14:12

Who did it?

Myblindsaredown · 01/06/2024 14:13

Who hacked your tree? That’s really odd.

Original poster
LivingDeadGirlUK · 01/06/2024 14:20

A visiting relative, she does crazy shit like this unfortunately. 90% of the time shes fine then BAM crazy.

OP posts:
Original poster
LivingDeadGirlUK · 01/06/2024 14:21

Its not just one tree, shes 'cut everything back' but I will do as advised and hope for the best.

OP posts:
EnjoyingTheSilence · 01/06/2024 16:01

Do not have her back! I’d be so pissed off. Hopefully it all grows back

Original poster
LivingDeadGirlUK · 02/06/2024 06:20

God I've woken up thinking about this I need to do something posotive to get over it. My garden is paved bar these two bits with trees and bambo but I have some empty pots, I think I will get some flowers to brighten it up a bit. Just needs to be low maintenance.

OP posts:
Myblindsaredown · 02/06/2024 07:22

Was it your mum?

wizzler · 02/06/2024 07:27

You seem a lot calmer about this than I would be op

AnnaMagnani · 02/06/2024 07:32

My mum used to do stuff like this.

Everything grew back better so I had to swallow my pride and admit she'd been right.

LittleGreenDragons · 02/06/2024 07:36

Was your mum an elephant in a previous life? 😱

You need to do a slanted cut under the ripped bits to help prevent disease getting in but she's done a brutal job on it. If it continues to struggle there is a dedicated gardening section here with some very experienced gardeners posting there.

I would definitely gets some cheap and cheerful pots and bedding plants to see you through the summer and next time they visit lock up your shed. Preferably triple padlocked!.

Original poster
LivingDeadGirlUK · 02/06/2024 07:46

AnnaMagnani · 02/06/2024 07:32

My mum used to do stuff like this.

Everything grew back better so I had to swallow my pride and admit she'd been right.

Yeah but did she rip the branches off because she couldn't find a knife and just bloody leaving it wasn't an option apparently?

OP posts:
Original poster
LivingDeadGirlUK · 02/06/2024 07:49

LittleGreenDragons · 02/06/2024 07:36

Was your mum an elephant in a previous life? 😱

You need to do a slanted cut under the ripped bits to help prevent disease getting in but she's done a brutal job on it. If it continues to struggle there is a dedicated gardening section here with some very experienced gardeners posting there.

I would definitely gets some cheap and cheerful pots and bedding plants to see you through the summer and next time they visit lock up your shed. Preferably triple padlocked!.

Do I slant upwards or downwards? I'm going to find the saw when I've delt with breakfast etc.

I'm no eco warrior but my overgrown garden was so peaceful and full of bugs and birds, I would 100% rather sit in an overgrowm garden rather than a bare paved patch.

OP posts:
Original poster
LivingDeadGirlUK · 02/06/2024 07:57

wizzler · 02/06/2024 07:27

You seem a lot calmer about this than I would be op

I don't know if its hormones but I'm just really sad about it. We live so far away from relatives and get no help, now I am left with even more work to do (like I said all the waste is just dumped at the top of the garden so its not just trying to save the trees) and my little shady spot for my bench is gone.

OP posts:
CadyEastman · 02/06/2024 07:59

I really feel for you. Have you told your "D"M just how upsetting this is and how it's left you unhappy and with more work to do?

heldinadream · 02/06/2024 08:00

We're you furious with her? Can you ask her to replace one or two of your butchered trees/shrubs with mature specimens? I think Primrose is one of the places you can get larger acers, I'll have a look in a minute and link.
I think you should let her know how badly she's behaved and that she owes you some recompense @LivingDeadGirlUK

Original poster
LivingDeadGirlUK · 02/06/2024 08:09

Its not really for property board but I would give anything for a night/day with my partner while my relative seems to hate seeing me not working or cleaning. I wasn't even allowed to make and eat breakfast on Saturday morning without having to discuss cleaning constantly. I think I need to get over to stately homes.

OP posts:
CadyEastman · 02/06/2024 08:12

I think I need to get over to stately homes

I think that sounds very sensible. My "D"M is only allowed here on Christmas Day and that's only because there are enough people her to keep an eye on her.

It can be hard not having the DM that you want but I've realised that nothing is ever going to change with her.

Original poster
LivingDeadGirlUK · 02/06/2024 08:12

CadyEastman · 02/06/2024 07:59

I really feel for you. Have you told your "D"M just how upsetting this is and how it's left you unhappy and with more work to do?

Yes I did and calmly too but she just brushed if off saying she was trying to get more sun in the garden to dry the washing and that she 'couldn't find a knife so HAD to break the branches' she was due to leave in a few hours so I just worked on not having a row.

OP posts:
Myblindsaredown · 02/06/2024 08:14

Jesus, she just broke the branches off??

LittleGreenDragons · 02/06/2024 08:15

Do I slant upwards or downwards?

I don't think it really matters. The slant is to help rainwater to drip off and not settle, causing it to rot. Just make sure you cut low enough to have some bark around the cut and no ripped bits left on.

It would break my heart too if someone destroyed my wildlife area. Solidarity Flowers

CadyEastman · 02/06/2024 08:17

she was due to leave in a few hours so I just worked on not having a row.

So she has no respect for your property and for your wishes. Wanting to keep the peace with her after this sounds like you've been conditioned not to question her?

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