Now that’s just sad, poor tree! Must say it would be a good landmark if you could descibe it :) I agree it’s definately a “Don’t”!
jensays
The city I used to live in did this to all of their downtown trees to make room for the utility wires. It looked ridiculous.
Paulasays
My neighbours(granted they are in their eighties)chopped 20 feet off the top of their blue spruce last summer, because they were worried that the tree might fall on their house. For the price, both financial and aesthetic, why not just take down the whole tree?
Wendy, Jen, Paula and Neza – it seems the consensus is that this happens everywhere, but no one likes it. Anyone want to argue that this is better than taking down the tree?
Joesays
Definitely better, some green is better than no green. I see a tree mullet…business on the left, wild on the right. I think the don’t was not training it better to begin with. If only the utility companies had preemptive tree trimming strikes.
robinsays
i feel embarassed for that tree.
r.
Mari Malcolmsays
Sure they weren’t going for a topiary catcher’s mit effect? ;)
I’ve heard this called “hortitorture,” which seems an apt description.
Andrea Bellamysays
Joe – “tree mullet” – I’m going to have to remember that one!
Robin – I think it feels a bit sheepish, too
Mari – “hortitorture” is a perfect word for it!
melsays
You should see the rest of the garden! It’s been there for years. If you’re ever in Kitsilano beach it’s just off Cornwall and Maple in Vancouver; it’s quite a sight.
The Hydro people topped our row of trees (North Van) beneath the power lines and trim them regularly. They look ridiculous. But to cut them down, we need a permit, for which we’d be unlikely to be approved, and for which we’d have to pay.
I do think some homeowners prefer an ugly barrier between them and the road/neighbour than no barrier at all.
Wendy says
Now that’s just sad, poor tree! Must say it would be a good landmark if you could descibe it :) I agree it’s definately a “Don’t”!
jen says
The city I used to live in did this to all of their downtown trees to make room for the utility wires. It looked ridiculous.
Paula says
My neighbours(granted they are in their eighties)chopped 20 feet off the top of their blue spruce last summer, because they were worried that the tree might fall on their house. For the price, both financial and aesthetic, why not just take down the whole tree?
Neza says
Hi Thanks for showing that. We have some very mutilated city trees in Minneapolis/ St. Paul too. But people are slowly becoming more aware.
Nice Blog…The Rock and Roll Gardener
Andrea Bellamy says
Wendy, Jen, Paula and Neza – it seems the consensus is that this happens everywhere, but no one likes it. Anyone want to argue that this is better than taking down the tree?
Joe says
Definitely better, some green is better than no green. I see a tree mullet…business on the left, wild on the right. I think the don’t was not training it better to begin with. If only the utility companies had preemptive tree trimming strikes.
robin says
i feel embarassed for that tree.
r.
Mari Malcolm says
Sure they weren’t going for a topiary catcher’s mit effect? ;)
I’ve heard this called “hortitorture,” which seems an apt description.
Andrea Bellamy says
Joe – “tree mullet” – I’m going to have to remember that one!
Robin – I think it feels a bit sheepish, too
Mari – “hortitorture” is a perfect word for it!
mel says
You should see the rest of the garden! It’s been there for years. If you’re ever in Kitsilano beach it’s just off Cornwall and Maple in Vancouver; it’s quite a sight.
Martina says
The Hydro people topped our row of trees (North Van) beneath the power lines and trim them regularly. They look ridiculous. But to cut them down, we need a permit, for which we’d be unlikely to be approved, and for which we’d have to pay.
I do think some homeowners prefer an ugly barrier between them and the road/neighbour than no barrier at all.