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Punning a Weeping Willow Tree

Washington, DC has commandeered  all privately owned trees, on private property, which are 44 inches or larger, in circumference.

Knowing this, I first called the city to ask if I needed a permit to prune my weeping willow tree (which I purchased in NC and planted myself, 15 years ago)

I was told that I only needed a permit if I were wanting to REMOVE the tree.  So, after double-checking with the city just before doing anything, I had my willow pollarded.

Then the city came by and saying I pruned it too much and that if would die so, I had a choice of either paying $4,000 for a permit to REMOVE the tree, OR I would be fined $22,000 for destroying the tree.

I argued that I had called twice and was told that I only needed a permit to REMOVE the tree. The city then said that, as I had purned it too much, it would die so I had to chose between purchasing a $4,000 REMOVAL permit, or the $22,000 fine for killing it. What choice is that?

I explained to the city that the reason I had pollarded it was because I was afraid it would be destroyed by an autumn storm as the limbs were so very, very long. Also, that it was too large for my small city garden as it shaded all other vegetation, including my grass.  They don't care about the rest of my 200 year old garden...unless I want to build something on it, THEN it's "historic" and I can't!

After all that, my question is:

Is what I did good for my tree? Strengthening it instead of killing it?  Do you think it will die because I pollarded it?imageimageimage

The first photo is of the un-pallarded tree with the marks I gave to the tree specialist.

In late February, he pollarded it- the 2nd photo.

The 3rd photo I just took today. It shows 2 1/2 months growth.

To me, it looks perfectly what I wanted....

Thank you,

Ann G.

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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,064

    In my experience, pruning weeping willows like you have leads to some very vigorous re-growth.  It should be fine but be prepared to have to repeat prune on a regular basis.

    No tree will live forever and weeping willows have a failry short life span of about 50 years because they are such rapid growers.  The info on this website may provide support for yu if the local authority carrie son being silly - http://sciencing.com/lifespan-weeping-willow-6497094.html

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • AWBAWB Posts: 421

    You have not removed the tree and you have not damaged it.

    Bureaucrats the world over, 

  • Ann GoodmanAnn Goodman Posts: 11

    Funny you should mention that I did not REMOVE the tree.  It seems the DC Tree authority has it OWN DICTIONARY which redefines the word REMOVE!  However, when I called to ask if I needed a permit, I was not told of the secret dictionary!  This dictionary defines pruning too much also falls under the definition of REMOVE.  But, when a person has already pruned the tree (too much, according to them) then it's too late to find out the proper length would have been.....  : ( 

    Yes, I was told by the tree care person that it would need periodic pruning in the future.  As I am 69 years old, I probably shouldn't worry about the 50 year lifespan of the tree! That would make me 99 years old.... not sure if I'll still be here, but plan to be!

  • Ann GoodmanAnn Goodman Posts: 11

    Thank you, Mike!

    My Italian Renaissance garden was established in 1865 with English boxwood at the end of a circular brick sidewalk and two willows on flanking in the rear.  But one willow was missing and the other fell over in a storm.  So, as they are so large, I replaced only one.

    I have over 40 trees on my small property and, as it is a small property, all trees are pruned.  I planned to prune the willow from the beginning, but as the fronds are 15 to 20 feet in length, could not do so until it had attained a great height. Unfortunately, in gaining the height, it also gained and surpassed the 44 inches.  I was always worried in a storm as I watched the wet, 15 foot+ fronds whip around the tree- hoping the 15 year willow (I had it 15 years; it was purchased at 5 years old) would not destroy my 150 year old boxwood underneath!

    FINALLY, it had reached the height I needed to pollard it. Tightening it up so as to prevent if from breaking in a storm, as my neighbor's willow had done, yet high enough to prevent the fronds from dragging onto the ground.  I even had the city's permission, twice, to prune it.  I was told that I could do anything I wanted to it without a permit, except REMOVE it......

    If you have any influence, I do not think I should have been confronted with the choice of $4,000 or $22,000 when I specifically asked, and was told, not once, but TWICE that I could do anything except REMOVE it.  I could use a little help here.  

    Also, if I am pruning a protected (and I would say "stollen") tree imageso that the vegetation under it can also survive, wouldn't the oxygen be replenished by the other vegetation as well as by the willow? That would be the grass and the river birch trees, as well as the bushes along the side.  The additional sunlight now allowed back into my garden, is still falling on vegetation.... so losing the width of the tree allowed for greater green space.

    image  image

    Ann

  • Dilly3Dilly3 Posts: 91

    Hello Ann,

    I would just like to say what a beautiful garden you have, and I like your sitting area.

  • AWBAWB Posts: 421

    Guess who is on his hobby horse again.

    good job he has no authority or power, he would have you swinging from the tree By the neck.

    ps a lovely garden.

  • Ann GoodmanAnn Goodman Posts: 11

    Thank you, Dilly,

    20 years ago, I noticed the city was discarding the large, hand made, historic bricks whenever they repaired the sidewalks in Georgetown.  After work, often in freezing temperatures, I would park next to a  heap of debris and dig through it to rescue these bricks, loading my trunk.  So, I was able to repair the circular walkway as well as place the terrace area.  I still rescue these bricks whenever I see them, but now the city no longer discards them.  

    It's taken me 20 years to get my garden this way....including FINALLY getting my willow to the proper shape for the small space!

    Right now, I am trying to get a building permit to put a handicap accessible apartment over the carriage house for me to retire into one day, so I can lease the house, live in the apartment and continue to maintain my garden.

    Ann

  • Ann GoodmanAnn Goodman Posts: 11

    AWB, you know this guy?  He was horrible to me!!

    AG

  • AWBAWB Posts: 421

    Don't know the guy, but he is always controversial, I think he likes the attention.

  • Dilly3Dilly3 Posts: 91

    Hello again

    it was  well worth all your hard work to get those bricks, photos of your garden should be in gardening books/ magazines ?

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