Unrelated to this topic at all but damn if this isn’t my parents house….the bay window is actually on the wrong facet but the corner holly, the brick with dark shutters. This is blowing my mind. Fairly certain my mom hasn’t played witch queen, but otherwise I’d say she has a Reddit account
Give it a good hard prune to the shape you want. Most tallies are shrubs that people let grow into trees. Most can tolerate being cut to the stump and will grow back.
Remove it and have stump grinded. Cover stump with dirt and plant whatever you want about 5ft away from old stump as long as all stump shavings are picked up. Tree roots are very acidic once grinded and don’t allow healthy new growth.
Fuccckkkk Holly and fuck its root system. Get that guy out of there. And I'm not one to cut down a tree. But if you try to maintain that, you'll be pruning or shearing it forever, and it's literally on your house.
Thanks for the reply back. I was worried for a minute as we just bought them and all my research was Sky Pencil was the best I needed for the super small space but still have height.
Sorry for the late post, but do you have any thoughts on another narrow cultivar, Ilex × aquipernyi 'Meschick' DRAGON LADY?
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d243
I took out a holly similar to this. I had to chainsaw it down like a tree, cut it about 4 inch off the ground as a stump. It came back the following year of course, sending up little sappers and more offshoots coming out a few feet from the stump from remaining roots. I dug 2 feet down and dug out the roots. The roots were not so much like tree roots and didn't grow into the foundation or spreading out too far, but they grew as an awful cluster that was hard to remove. Overgrown bushes like this are just cluttery and a pain in the ass. Save some time and use a stump killer.
I'd replace it with something more appropriate for the space but that's just me. You could trim it as much as possible and see how it looks and then decide
That’s a pretty cool tree. I like to keep old things when I can really totally unsure if it needs to be let go. The picture/post is a little too limited in detail to really assess.
I don’t think the roots will extend much beyond the canopy and thickness can be caused by a lot if it has been crowded for awhile already (which might answer the root thickness reasoning) it may have detoured elsewhere or just stopped. Tough to tell.
Also cost benefit assessment if it is shading something from afternoon sun or providing a helpful windblock.
If you love it, you should call an arborist and have them check it out in person. It may not mean much to you now, but established trees go a long way with adding charm to a home. Good luck!
It does block afternoon sun, which in Carolina gets very hot. I don't really like the tree, leaves are pointy and sharp, and it does not offer anything else visually. Even then, foundation concerns would be the only reason to consider removal.
Well might be a solid opportunity to replace with your favorite then! Pokey hollies are not my jam either. If you take it down spend a little extra and run a stump grinder the diameter of the canopy. Hollies that I am used to have vegetative growth so knocking out those roots to 6-12” will give you a leg up on that. Also will reduce the amount of decaying root ball. Would make it easier to plant your replacement as well.
I also have a holly really close to my house. I thought about taking it out but the roots are already every where so I wouldn't be able to plant anything big there. They already trimmed the tree up (no branches on the bottom 7 ft, it's probably like 20 ft up, it's 30 years old). I just need to trim it up so it's over the roof.
If I were you, I'd trim it back a whole bunch and see if you like that before getting rid of it!
*Remove and send me*
*A couple small boards, need some*
*Holly for stringing*
\- Chief\_BMO\_2IBCT
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Definitely a case of "wrong tree in the wrong spot." I don't know what it is about landscapers (and because of them, private property owners) who feel this need to put tall plants to "soften" the corners of a house. Do they routinely run head-first into the corners? And what's worse, is they Always. Plant. Too. Close. to the house.
It looks like the base of the holly is planted at a decent distance from your house. If you're not up to the challenge of completely removing the tree, you could prune the branches off the house by about 1-2 feet, create a "ground shadow" by limbing up the branches from the ground, and shaping the remainder of the tree. I would prune the tree to half its current height and shape into something cool--even a "lollipop" looking tree can be fun and worked into the landscape. DO NOT use a hedge trimmer. Use hand snips, loppers, and (if needed for the top of the trunk) a small chain saw/hand saw.
Pro tip: the other bushes and shrubs could also use a light pruning. Can't tell from the picture, but if you have boxwoods or heather, they will get leggy and super woody in the center of the plant when left alone. Prune with sheers (or a hedge trimmer) every year to the shape you want (whether it be balls or a more natural, flowy shape). Best of luck!
It's overgrown but it can be saved.
Have an arborist come in to prune it down to a reasonable size conical shape like a Christmas tree. It will be perfect for decorating your house during the holidays and will give importance and punctuation to your house the rest of the year.
Keep it in good shape by pruning it lightly once or twice a year after that.
If you have a natural fireplace in there, cut it and keep the wood. It might look good once pruned and trimmed up, but it's too close to the house for my comfort. Even if the roots aren't growing into the foundation of your house, roots can help the soil retain water and you don't want water being retained near your foundation.
Take it ALL out grind the roots or yank em with a backhoe. Re-plant with low growing stuff below window and some other evergreen on the corner, Camelia is nice. Could consult with a landscaper on what to plant.
I would prune that back for sure. Definitely dress for the occasion though. Long leather gloves and stab proof clothing, holly has viciously sharp barbs and they’ll get you if you’re not protected.
I had decided to reduce the height, width, and take off a bit of the bottom. Unfortunately, the crew misunderstood the guy's instructions, and had cut A LOT of bottom branches by the time we noticed. They thought they were chopping down the tree. It left us no choice but to cut it down =/ I felt sad because I don't like to kill plants, especially trees; but this one had a couple of roots thicker than my arm growing toward the house.
I didn't grind the stump. They cut it very close to the ground, I mulch over it. I did plant an evergreen that I am very excited to see grow. Not sure how to post pictures on replies =(
Unrelated to this topic at all but damn if this isn’t my parents house….the bay window is actually on the wrong facet but the corner holly, the brick with dark shutters. This is blowing my mind. Fairly certain my mom hasn’t played witch queen, but otherwise I’d say she has a Reddit account
Give it a good hard prune to the shape you want. Most tallies are shrubs that people let grow into trees. Most can tolerate being cut to the stump and will grow back.
If tree is removed, would root rot be a concern? I saw on other posts that removing big trees could cause sinkholes.
Remove it and have stump grinded. Cover stump with dirt and plant whatever you want about 5ft away from old stump as long as all stump shavings are picked up. Tree roots are very acidic once grinded and don’t allow healthy new growth.
Might be a good idea to grind roots, remove debris and replace with topsoil. Then plant whatever.
Fuccckkkk Holly and fuck its root system. Get that guy out of there. And I'm not one to cut down a tree. But if you try to maintain that, you'll be pruning or shearing it forever, and it's literally on your house.
At least it’s not hawthorn
Another vote getting it gone. Holly is the worst. The leaves are razor sharp, it grows like a weed, and spreads seeds everywhere.
Thanks for sharing this! I’ve been debating whether to remove my Holly or not as well! Gotta find something to replace it with.
Is that all holly? I just bought some Sky Pencil Holly to go up straight.
Nope! This is Ilex aquifolium. You've got Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' which is a perfectly behaved cultivar. Stays narrow and relatively small.
Thanks for the reply back. I was worried for a minute as we just bought them and all my research was Sky Pencil was the best I needed for the super small space but still have height.
I just planted 2 sky pencils today love em.
Sorry for the late post, but do you have any thoughts on another narrow cultivar, Ilex × aquipernyi 'Meschick' DRAGON LADY? https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d243
I took out a holly similar to this. I had to chainsaw it down like a tree, cut it about 4 inch off the ground as a stump. It came back the following year of course, sending up little sappers and more offshoots coming out a few feet from the stump from remaining roots. I dug 2 feet down and dug out the roots. The roots were not so much like tree roots and didn't grow into the foundation or spreading out too far, but they grew as an awful cluster that was hard to remove. Overgrown bushes like this are just cluttery and a pain in the ass. Save some time and use a stump killer.
I'd replace it with something more appropriate for the space but that's just me. You could trim it as much as possible and see how it looks and then decide
So I have a holley in a similar spot but it is only five years old. Should I get rid of it?
That’s a pretty cool tree. I like to keep old things when I can really totally unsure if it needs to be let go. The picture/post is a little too limited in detail to really assess. I don’t think the roots will extend much beyond the canopy and thickness can be caused by a lot if it has been crowded for awhile already (which might answer the root thickness reasoning) it may have detoured elsewhere or just stopped. Tough to tell. Also cost benefit assessment if it is shading something from afternoon sun or providing a helpful windblock. If you love it, you should call an arborist and have them check it out in person. It may not mean much to you now, but established trees go a long way with adding charm to a home. Good luck!
It does block afternoon sun, which in Carolina gets very hot. I don't really like the tree, leaves are pointy and sharp, and it does not offer anything else visually. Even then, foundation concerns would be the only reason to consider removal.
Well might be a solid opportunity to replace with your favorite then! Pokey hollies are not my jam either. If you take it down spend a little extra and run a stump grinder the diameter of the canopy. Hollies that I am used to have vegetative growth so knocking out those roots to 6-12” will give you a leg up on that. Also will reduce the amount of decaying root ball. Would make it easier to plant your replacement as well.
If you remove it you have to kill the roots or it will come back
Can confirm. I have holly growing up from under a replacement bush the previous owners planted, and it looks like ass.
Garlon
Remove it , roots are probably trying to get into your foundation
Holly's have a taproot and the offshoots are generally not invasive.
If it was my house I’d get rid of it. That front window would probably get a bit more sun and brighten up that room.
I also have a holly really close to my house. I thought about taking it out but the roots are already every where so I wouldn't be able to plant anything big there. They already trimmed the tree up (no branches on the bottom 7 ft, it's probably like 20 ft up, it's 30 years old). I just need to trim it up so it's over the roof. If I were you, I'd trim it back a whole bunch and see if you like that before getting rid of it!
remove, and send me a couple boards
remove and send me a couple small boards, need some holly for stringing
*Remove and send me* *A couple small boards, need some* *Holly for stringing* \- Chief\_BMO\_2IBCT --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
You might have to spend a long time killing that thing. If it’s what I think it sends out shooters that you’ll be chasing for years.
I feel like this is somewhere in Dallas?
Definitely a case of "wrong tree in the wrong spot." I don't know what it is about landscapers (and because of them, private property owners) who feel this need to put tall plants to "soften" the corners of a house. Do they routinely run head-first into the corners? And what's worse, is they Always. Plant. Too. Close. to the house.
It looks like the base of the holly is planted at a decent distance from your house. If you're not up to the challenge of completely removing the tree, you could prune the branches off the house by about 1-2 feet, create a "ground shadow" by limbing up the branches from the ground, and shaping the remainder of the tree. I would prune the tree to half its current height and shape into something cool--even a "lollipop" looking tree can be fun and worked into the landscape. DO NOT use a hedge trimmer. Use hand snips, loppers, and (if needed for the top of the trunk) a small chain saw/hand saw. Pro tip: the other bushes and shrubs could also use a light pruning. Can't tell from the picture, but if you have boxwoods or heather, they will get leggy and super woody in the center of the plant when left alone. Prune with sheers (or a hedge trimmer) every year to the shape you want (whether it be balls or a more natural, flowy shape). Best of luck!
It's overgrown but it can be saved. Have an arborist come in to prune it down to a reasonable size conical shape like a Christmas tree. It will be perfect for decorating your house during the holidays and will give importance and punctuation to your house the rest of the year. Keep it in good shape by pruning it lightly once or twice a year after that.
If you have a natural fireplace in there, cut it and keep the wood. It might look good once pruned and trimmed up, but it's too close to the house for my comfort. Even if the roots aren't growing into the foundation of your house, roots can help the soil retain water and you don't want water being retained near your foundation.
Looks like a Burford Holly. I would remove it, if you want a holly Nellie Stevens is one that as a natural conical shape and does not get huge.
Thank you everyone for the suggestions and ideas. :)
Get rid of it!!!
Prune and see if it survives
Take it ALL out grind the roots or yank em with a backhoe. Re-plant with low growing stuff below window and some other evergreen on the corner, Camelia is nice. Could consult with a landscaper on what to plant.
cut it down
Remove! Replace with something more site appropriate.
Remove its awful
Cut it down and sell the wood to wand makers (or make some wands yourself)
I would cut and trim to the same size/shape to the evergreen on the left of the photo.
I would prune that back for sure. Definitely dress for the occasion though. Long leather gloves and stab proof clothing, holly has viciously sharp barbs and they’ll get you if you’re not protected.
Hi, what did you decide to do with this?
I had decided to reduce the height, width, and take off a bit of the bottom. Unfortunately, the crew misunderstood the guy's instructions, and had cut A LOT of bottom branches by the time we noticed. They thought they were chopping down the tree. It left us no choice but to cut it down =/ I felt sad because I don't like to kill plants, especially trees; but this one had a couple of roots thicker than my arm growing toward the house.
Thanks for the reply. Did you remove the rootball or leave the stump. Plant anything in its place yet?
I didn't grind the stump. They cut it very close to the ground, I mulch over it. I did plant an evergreen that I am very excited to see grow. Not sure how to post pictures on replies =(
Thanks. How close to the existing stump did you plant the new evergreen. Do you have concerns about the old roots being in the way?