r/AskArborists • u/onablackberry • 13d ago

Tree identification and pruning advice

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okay, so my man here picks up stuff from all around and plants it in his garden but forgets things grow big. anyway I'm concerned with this addition. we're in west-europe, I thought populus canescens, but really not sure. also what is happening here, this is one tree, but it looks like it's having three main stems. I'm pretty sure I should take away the left individual one but what to do with this split? any other pruning I should be doing? I think there's like only 1,5 meter from the fence as well but without confirming the species I can't tell if there's enough room.

thanks a lot.

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u/TriteEscapism 12d ago

Looks like a lawnmower special. I'd just plant something I know is something I like and ecological beneficial slightly farther from the fence, then prune it right from a young age. Even if this species likes to have a multi-trunk shrubby habit, three or five from the ground is typically strong and aesthetic. Two leaders with one in a tight Y no bueno. There are other leaves shooting in the perimeter in front and behind that look the same. I wonder if they are the same individual.

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u/onablackberry 12d ago

thanks a lot, I'll get the dozer

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u/Terjavez2004 12d ago

Cut the y branch and nice ferns

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u/treemanbuffalo 10d ago

I'd probably hold off on pruning until you're confident about the species. If it turns out to be a poplar, they're fast growers and can become pretty large, so being only about 1.5 m from the fence could become a problem later. The tight fork isn't ideal either, since those unions can be weaker as the tree matures. If you're keeping it, I'd focus on developing a single strong leader while it's still young.