Question
Nashville Hackberry
We live in Nashville, TN and have a massive Hackberry (at least 75 feet tall and estimated at 100+ years old) about 15 feet from our house, which we have just remodeled. I've had a few arborists/tree companies assess it with differing suggestions. The first suggested cleaning/trimming the crown, killing some climbing vines carefully and adding a couple of cables between the largest limbs at top. Another has recommended taking it down, especially in light of our recent 2nd story addition. There is some cavitation (extent not determined), but we are struggling with a decision and all are costly. We do not want to cut it down if we do not need to, but our contractor for one has said he "would not have a Hackberry that close to his house," especially with remodel. Prices to trim and cable are $1200 - $1400 and prices to cut it down, and haul away are $1500 - $3000. It provides a lot of shade, but of course, drops a lot of fruit and limbs. Should we trim, clean and cable or cut it down as a preventative measure? Thanks, Earle
AnswerLooking at the tree it does not look to be as old as you think it is. The limbs in the crown look healthy and I do not think need cables. I would suggest pruning the limbs that are or could rub the house. Do not want to drastically prune this die and make it lop sides but just enough to make sure the limbs do not hit the house.
The vine (looks like English ivy) can be cut about a foot above the ground level and as soon as you cut the vine brush a herbicide called Roundup on the cut. The vine will absorb the Roundup and transport it to the root system killing the plant. If new vines sprout up the foliage can be sprayed with the Roundup. Be aware that Roundup will kill any green plant so make sure it is not sprayed on any green plant not wanted to be killed. You can sprat the vine on the tree trunk with Roundup this will not hurt the tree and is another way rather than cutting the vines. These vines can be pulled off the tree of as the rot after dying will fall off.
The vine control can be done by you at little expense. The pruning of the limbs near the house will take a person with a bucket truck lift to reach the limbs. I would call the Tenn. Department of Agriculture , Forestry Division.
They have an Urban forestry program that can recommend a company to do the pruning and they maybe be able to come out themselves and give advise on the ground--I would ask for this it is free. They will be able to see things I can not with a picture. I would give them a call--
Bruce Webster Urban Forestry Unit Leader (615) 837-5436
Brian Rucker Urban Forestry Program Specialist (615) 837-5439
