To cut or not to cut that is the question - Page 2

To cut or not to cut that is the question · 05-22-2009, 09:51 PM

OK folks I have a question for y'all. I know this is probably the most biased place for advice on cutting down a tree, but y'all are my friends and I value your thoughts.
I have a Southern Magnolia - Magnolia grandiflora in the middle of my front yard. I like it for the blooms and the evergreen foliage, but hate it with a extreme passion in the spring when it changes out its leaves. It's really not in the best location as it is leaning towards the house to reach for the sun. And the freakin' leaves are everywhere. The concentration of Mosquitoes around the tree are greater than elsewhere in my yard due to the leaf litter holding water for the little beasts to breed in. It's not really a large enough trunk section to make some lumber, but I could get a lot of turning wood out of it.
Some pictures as I know we like them -

And the mess that I deal with every time the wind blows -

I am a tree lover, wood lover and landscaper. This is leading me to a major dilemma. It's a beautiful tree, it's a messy tree that detracts from the rest of the yard. It's not a lot of wood, but it will be a lot of work to take down. I will have to climb it and limb it down, and then drop the stick. The branch mass is so great that it is about as tall as wide, so I can't just drop it as is. But that work isn't going to be as great as the cumulative total of the hours I'll spend dealing with the freakin' leaves.
Audrey says go for it...whatcha all say.

Dave

merrill77 · 05-23-2009, 01:52 PM

We have exactly 1 Magnolia Grandiflora on our property...and I love it. Maybe it's a sourthern thing, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Ours happens to be straight and tall, but even if it was crooked I would keep it. Raking? You're kidding, right? Ya know they got these new-fangled things called lawn mowers? My mulcher makes 'em vanish in a hurry. Compared to the gums, pines and oaks, my magnolia isn't in my top 30 lawn trash producers :> My opinion - keep it.

sapwood · 05-23-2009, 04:07 PM

Planted a couple of Southern Magnolias in my yard and I love 'em. Year round screen and beautiful trees. That said

If they were close to the house I would probably get rid of them. They are more enjoyable at a distance. And take the advice of my mother (may she RIP) and never cut the lower branches; they sort of cover up their own debris.

Roger

LeftyTom · 05-23-2009, 04:57 PM

Get a pony keg, a few steaks, and invite over free labor.

The attendees climb and limb, then haul it off.

Then all you gotta do is cut down the stick.

DaveO · 05-23-2009, 05:51 PM

Well I don't need shade. My home site is a hole in a very mature Oak/Hickory forest. Over the 30+ years the house has been here the trees on the perimeter of the yard have started growing to the center for extra light.

The leaves aren't a problem after I mow the "grass" but I only do that every 2-3 weeks as it is mostly moss, and I just like to keep the weeds at the moss level.

The not so grand old girl has been granted a pardon at least for a week. My wife is out of town, and I think it might be smart to have her available to call 911 and take pictures for y'all if I was to do something stupid

Dave