Tree Trim - looking for opinions

[Urshurak776]

Hi all,

So, our HOA did a twice a year drive by and said our tree needs to be cut back as it is too low to the ground. They specifically circled the area below. If I cut all three of these branches, it will look silly in my opinion.

Any suggestions on what you would do? Besides move....I know...believe me.

I'm thinking maybe the two that are sticking out closer to 45 degrees, but the more vertical one should stay?

 

[Zee09]

Geez....is that all they have to do?
I don't think it would look that bad.
I'd drive by their properties and scrutinize them...

 

[opus1]

My opinion, if you don't cut all 3, the HOA will come back at you again. Maybe it will look less silly/more balanced if you also cut the lowest branch on the left side of the tree?

 

[Urshurak776]

Geez....is that all they have to do?
I don't think it would look that bad.
I'd drive by their properties and scrutinize them...

They do the bare minimum. Like twice a year they hit just about everyone with something. Huge waste of money in my opinion. We pay $250 a quarter in HOA fees.

 

[Urshurak776]

My opinion, if you don't cut all 3, the HOA will come back at you again. Maybe it will look less silly/more balanced if you also cut the lowest branch on the left side of the tree?

I may try that. Good suggestion. I figure if they don't like it, I can do more. It's all justifying their jobs. Its a management company that handles all this stuff for the HOA. Waste.....

 

[Owen Lucas]

We pay $250 a quarter in HOA fees.

That's pretty low.

I agree with @Zee09, it won't look so bad and you'll get used to how it looks.

 

[JohnnyG]

Take the two lower ones off and see if they come back and ask for more.

 

[Zee09]

They do the bare minimum. Like twice a year they hit just about everyone with something. Huge waste of money in my opinion. We pay $250 a quarter in HOA fees.

Your place looks well cared for...
Well done!

 

[spasm3]

Check your HoA rules and see if there is any requirement that you have to do this.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I agree - bare minimum. Maybe you can get away with the two that are almost horizontal?

Are the branches hanging over the street. Maybe you can just limb them up on that end?

Professionally run HOA - or just "volunteers" with too much time?

 

[Nukeman7]

Take the two lower ones off and see if they come back and ask for more.

I agree. If you cut off the third limb on the right side, the tree will not be symmetrical and look "heavy" on the left side.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

I own my home and this is why I bought without an HOA.

 

[Brian123]

They do the bare minimum. Like twice a year they hit just about everyone with something. Huge waste of money in my opinion. We pay $250 a quarter in HOA fees.

You pay $1000.00 a year in HOA Fees. Is the grass in this area in the pic, the common area that someone else mows, or is this in the area that you mow?

 

[SC Maintenance]

I own my home and this is why I bought without an HOA.

We get into this argument here all the time. There are no cars on blocks or foot high grass in my neighborhood - which is something common in non HOA's around here.

+/- to everything. Unless you can afford 100 acres and park in the middle.

 

[2005jettatdi]

A well kept yard, but T.H.E.Y. just have to find something to criticize. No HOA where I live.

 

[Urshurak776]

You pay $1000.00 a year in HOA Fees. Is the grass in this area in the pic, the common area that someone else mows, or is this in the area that you mow?

This is my front yard. I mow it myself. The HOA does take care of common areas in the neighborhood, like the dog parks, plus the clubhouse, pool areas, etc. We also have a "section" of our neighborhood that is 55 or older and they have an option of having their grass cut fro them (at a fee) or they can do it themselves. The HOA fees also cover trash/recycle service.

 

[mrsilv04]

This will restore balance, so it won't look "silly" (your word, not mine).

All 4 limbs should have been removed several years ago. Bonus is that the grass underneath will grow healthier, as it will be getting more light.

Yes, it's ugly, (no I don't own Photoshop) but here's what you'll end up with.

 

[Urshurak776]

I agree - bare minimum. Maybe you can get away with the two that are almost horizontal?

Are the branches hanging over the street. Maybe you can just limb them up on that end?

Professionally run HOA - or just "volunteers" with too much time?

They are not hanging over street. We trim things up a couple times a year. It is CLOSE to the street though. The company our HOA hired is called First Service Residential. I think they are pretty common in the Carolinas.

I think I will start with the two that are the most horizontal.

 

[Urshurak776]

This will restore balance, so it won't look "silly" (your word, not mine).

All 4 limbs should have been removed several years ago. Bonus is that the grass underneath will grow healthier, as it will be getting more light.

View attachment 284254


Yes, it's ugly, (no I don't own Photoshop) but here's what you'll end up with.

View attachment 284255

That's not bad. Thanks.

 

[Brian123]

This is my front yard. I mow it myself. The HOA does take care of common areas in the neighborhood, like the dog parks, plus the clubhouse, pool areas, etc. We also have a "section" of our neighborhood that is 55 or older and they have an option of having their grass cut fro them (at a fee) or they can do it themselves. The HOA fees also cover trash/recycle service.

If you mow this area yourself, what is the problem? I could see if this was the common area that you do not mow. I could also see if this branch was sticking out into the street! Have you read your HOA thing you probably signed when you moved in?

Why don't they just cut it down themselves, meaning the HOA, its small limbs?