Training rather than trimming trees.

Tweet

About three years ago, I planted a Birch Tree in my yard. Every Spring and Autumn, I have had to do a little trimming but I prefer to train the tree. Redirecting young branches and using rope on the larger branches has allowed me to get the tree to focus on growing taller rather than wider. Today, I moved the ropes in order to clear walking space on both mine and my neighbor's sidewalk. I'm 5 foot 10 inches, now there is perfect clearance. Since Birch Trees can grow really tall, I prefer that the branches spread out once they have grown above the roofs of our houses. Birch Tree roots like to stay close to the surface, so I planted it inside of a worn car tire (I cut the bottom part out) to prevent that. I painted the tire blue (the shade that the Indianapolis Colts use and put a white horseshoe in front). I'm not really into football, but thought the neigbors would enjoy it.