I am not a tree expert, but I have read from several sources that topping trees is bad for the tree.
My first suggestion is talk to a tree expert, perhaps your county has a department or office for these sort of things. In Texas, we call them county agents.
Second, I suggest that you forgo your view from upstairs, and perhaps start exploring your area for other impressive views that you can visit to satisfy your view hunger.
It would be dangerous to put the chainsaw on top of the ladder so you could reach the top. Remember - never stand on the top rung of a ladder or on a chainsaw.
Sounds similar to a situation my friend had. They have a lakefront cottage that had some really nice trees. The lake area used to be a sleepy little place until a second ring of properties were built. So it is basically nice little lakefront cottages ringed with giant McMansion "cottages". They went out to their cottage only to find the trees had been cut down at the direction of a McMansion cottage owner because they wanted to improve *their* view.
Exactly, they know what they are doing and have the proper equipment and will be done in no time. My neighbor had some large trees topped last year like that. He made a deal with a tree company that they could do it whenever they were in the area. The trees are filling out nicely.
Agreed, topping just results in rot that will weaken the tree. It's a tree that will try to grow to a height of 75 to 100 feet. If a 20 tree is what you want you need to cut it down and plant a more appropriate tree.
Our neighbors up the street cleared the "natural" area in the front corner of their lot. Presumably because they didn't want large trees in front of the house. The they planted a maple tree where they cleared. I just don't get why people plant these trees that get huge and then complain when they get huge. There are lots of nice trees that don't get oevr 20 or 30 feet tall that are suitable to be close to a house.
Move your bedroom downstairs and enjoy the view. Before you know it you will be too old and feeble to make it up the stairs anyway. The consensus of opinion here is that topping the tree is a just not a good idea.
Don't be a barbarian..... if you don't want a 30' tree, cut the whole thing down & plant a tree that only grows to 20'. Or leave the tree alone & "get over" your view.
Topping a tree in an attempt to make it conform to your space or aesthetic will result in a deformed tree.
Trees have a natural size & shape. You can prune, thin or sculpt within those limits but just topping a tree will result in unnatural growth patterns. In your case..... a 20' oak bush.
I live on a street in SoCal where oaks are our parkway trees. My original tree (planted in 1930) lasted until 1980. California oaks need a summer dormancy brought on by lack of water....suburban yard watering precludes the summer dormancy & shortens the tree's life.
The replacement tree (now 30 years ago) is nearing 30', I planted it as a very nice 15 gallon specimen which has outperformed oaks planted at the same time as 24" box specimens . My neighbor's tree (~1950) is probably near 50' and close to the end of its life.....so goes the cycle.
If you're insistent on "topping" this tree (hopefully an infraction, subject to a fine in your area) just find someone with a truck, ladder & a chainsaw. A true arboritist would never execute on this plan, they might be able to thin or prune to get closer to your desires but you need a smaller tree.
I'm guessing (& I hope I'm wrong) but the typical view enamored SoCal resident doesn't really care about a tree that is blocking their view. :(
Perhaps a thinning would give you your view without destroying a tree.
If you're young & agile, your ladder & chain saw might do the trick.
If you're old & experienced (like me) learn to enjoy the tree.
From a purely practical side, cutting ten feet off the top of a thirty-foot tree will make for a very, very ugly view. I'm getting the feeling this is a troll's question ..... the OP surely has considered how often he would have to take off the top of this (mutilated) tree once it is "topped". On the practical side, topping a large tree can make it considerably deformed and weak, subject to coming down on the house in a storm. Curious about the view OP wants to preserve.
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