cutting back oak tree

andy855

hi. i have 60 foot oak tree in back garden. 
Branches dropping off  and also blocking neighbours sun light.
If I cut say 10 feet off all branches it will remove all the leaves.

If I do that will leaves grow back on the bare branches?
All I can find on other websites is how to prune an oak tree
but nothing like I am asking.  thanks

nutcutlet

you're asking for something that's not going to work for the oak. The websites are telling you how to prune an oak

andy855

i'd love to work for the oak.
But this is in residential area and hanging halfway over two neighbours gardens
to two sides and part of the back one and blocking their sunlight.
Would leaves grow on bare branches after cutting back?

Joy*

Have you got a photograph? 

andy855

Silver surfer

If  you have a 15ft branch and plan to lop 5ft of leaving a 10ft bare branch with no leaves you are asking for trouble. The wound on the branch could allow disease in and affect the whole tree.

Is there a Tree preservation Order on it?

It is hard to know what you plan to do without seeing the tree.

Suggest you get a professional tree surgeon in to look at it and advice you.
Make sure they have all the right insurances/certificates.
It will not be cheap.
DO NOT use door to door cowboys who say they can do it cheaply.

andy855

I'll contact council for advice.
But still wondering if you cut back below leaf area if you
get leaves again.

Obelixx

You need to consult a tree surgeon who will be able to lift the crown which consists of removing lower branches to allow mor air, light and rain below and also thin the upper branches so there is more light and air.   He or she wil have the proper equipment, training and insurance and can also, usually, remove the cut branches unless you want to keep them.

Get a few quotes and ask for their qualifications as there are cowboys out there.

It may cost a bit but maybe the neighbours would contribute and it'll be a lot cheaper than paying to fix any problems you cause doing it yourself.

steephill

That would be a job for a professional. If you want to cut 10 feet off a 60 foot high tree then you are going to be 50 feet up with seriously dangerous kit to make any cuts. The first thing a professional tree surgeon will want to know is if there is a TPO or any other type of preservation order in place.

What you are thinking of doing is called pollarding and shouldn't kill the tree if done properly but it will need to be done on a regular basis as the tree will grow out again. That is going to be expensive for the foreseeable future.

BobTheGardener

New branches would grow as the tree needs to feed or it will die but these new branches would be weak where they join the thick old branch stumps and often come down in storms.  If large branches are dropping off, you definitely need to get a tree surgeon in to diagnose and make safe, even if it means felling it.

UpNorth

@andy855 if you seek advice and you don't like it, sure go find other advice.   Pfff.  /sarcasm mode off

it seems to me this tree doesn't belong to you.  please don't chop it down.  you would be guilty of a variety of, i think both criminal and civil laws.   Plus we'll get someone else's first post here as "help someone cut down my tree, what are my rights". 

if you want advice on someone's tree overhanging your garden, then sure, ask away, you do have some rights and some here will have experience of that.