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I have a tree in my back yard, I believe it is some sort of a Birch ( I am not sure though). The patio is built around this tree. The limbs are becoming outstretched enough that the branches are almost touching my house. My question is... is it okay to just cut back the offensive branches. My dh is having a fit at the idea that I want to cut the branches back, he says it will kill the tree. Is this true or am I okay to cut a little off?
If you could post a picture, it would help us to ID the tree. If it is a birch, they do have lots of limbs that can get quite long. It shouldn't hurt to prune off some of the lower limbs but I would wait until mid-winter when the tree is dormant.
If the branches of any tree are so close to your home, then yes, cut it, all you need is a nasty storm that will shake and bend the tree and it's branches, and it may hit and rattle off hour home, loosening tiles, gutters and windows if there are any on that side of the house, you could always get a tree surgeon to look at the tree for you and tell you the best way to cut and what to cut off, he will also give you the best long term solution as if you just trim the branches, depending on which tree you have, you could end up encouraging the tree to send out new branches, done properly, by the following year, the tree should look like it had never been touched regarding good shape, however the spread will be greatly reduces, hope your DH holds his laugh when the repairs bill arrives due to damage and the insurance just might not cover it, if you were classed as iresponsible neglectfull tree owner, ha ha ha. good luck WeeNel.
