Ruthless tree removal
Sadly, some poorly placed trees must be removed before they get too big. This is often the case with invaders like one alder tree I removed today. I was mowing near a patio when I noticed an alder tree growing in front of a window; it was also crowding out a hydrangea shrub. Alarm bells went off in my head.
Now, I love trees and I think we should be planting more of them but this alder didn’t have a future in its current spot. All you have to do is look into the nearby wild zone to see mature alder specimens. Left alone, this alder would eventually reach over the roof.
Knock, knock
Since you can’t eliminate the possibility of homeowner planting, I did what you should always do. I knocked on the door so I could speak to the owner. The last thing you want to do is uproot a tree donated by long-deceased grandpa.
And after a few questions it became obvious that this alder was a wild invader and it wasn’t especially loved. It was time to get a sharp hand saw.
Voted off the island
Every time I remove trees or seedlings I feel bad about it, but poorly placed trees can’t be left to mature and cause problems. So I grabbed my sharp Fiskars hand saw and I took the alder tree down.
It’s best to take it down in sections, starting at the top. Since this was a small tree, I took cut it down by half. One day we’ll go back and dig up the root base. I suspect we’ll see suckers sprouting out of the base soon. Alders are fast-growing, colonizers.
Conclusion
If you discover seedlings or small trees invading inappropriate spaces, take action. I absolutely detest removing healthy trees but in these cases there is no choice. It’s better to do it early on when there is little green waste generated and chainsaws aren’t required.
Remove the invading tree and plant something else. The bed I worked in has a hydrangea shrub which should benefit from more light. And there is plenty of space for other plants.
