Pruning spruce tree question

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lily_digger Spring Park, MN(Zone 4a) Jun 08, 2007

I have a very old spruce tree and its lower branches are drooping considerably lower and further out than in the past. It is making it difficult to walk in areas that used to be accessible and mowing is impossible between it and other plantings that should be able to stay where they are. What I need to know is, will it hurt the tree to remove some of the lower branches? And, if not, when is the best time to do that severe kind of pruning? Would it be better for the tree to just remove the outer part of these lower branches? (I had discarded that idea originally as I would think that would give the bottom of the tree a stubby appearance like a bad haircut.)

Most of what I've read about pruning spruce is along the lines of shaping a young tree or removing diseased branches. Any thoughts about solving this problem would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Lily

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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Jun 08, 2007

It won't harm the tree to remove a few low branches, but it will make it look less attractive (you're right about the "bad haircut" appearance!). I'd suggest remove the lawn from under it, and put down some chopped bark mulch or similar. Then you won't have to mow there any more.

Resin

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lily_digger Spring Park, MN(Zone 4a) Jun 10, 2007

My better judgment says that is what to do. Thanks for supporting the thought. There really isn't much lawn under it anyway, but it is a nursery for buckthorn, garlic mustard and other nasties, so I just thought maybe I should attempt to make it possible to mow under it to keep that under control more easily. Some bark would maybe help and it would be easier to see the offenders before they are too big to pull by hand. Thanks, Resin!

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