A/C Condensers and Cottonwoods

[KOPBET]

+ 1 million for this! I hate cottonwood trees.

There are several in my neighborhood but far enough away to not be a problem. The one in my next-door neighbor's yard is non-cottoning, thank God.

 

[Firpo]

I’d prefer a different tree but there’s a good sized line of them behind my house and only half are on my property. Also if I cut them down, which right now is cost prohibitive I’d be looking right into my neighbor’s back yard as they would mine.

 

[KOPBET]

I’d prefer a different tree but there’s a good sized line of them behind my house and only half are on my property. Also if I cut them down, which right now is cost prohibitive I’d be looking right into my neighbor’s back yard as they would mine.

Huge trees can be costly to cut down. My neighbor was quoted $10k to bring his down and remove. I went a cheaper route and removed the limbs mostly at the property line. A couple were up against the trunk with the neighbor's permission. Cost me $1800. And that was just one tree. Cottonwoods are not a problem with just cotton seeds, but also for months drop rather large leaves and countless little twigs that mowers hate.

 

[Firpo]

Cottonwoods are not a problem with just cotton seeds, but also for months drop rather large leaves and countless little twigs that mowers hate.

You should have heard them snapping when we had the freeze in Oct 2020. What a mess!

 

[Mr.Glock]

Copper Sulphate will keeeeel em! Drill a couple deep holes at an angle, pour in.

 

[KOPBET]

You should have heard them snapping when we had the freeze in Oct 2020. What a mess!

I did. Along with the breaking of fence pickets from fallen limbs.

 

[Big House]

If people are looking for a tree that grows fast and has a lot of shade, The tampon tree is the one for you!

 

[TwoForFlinching]

Neighbor has 3 huge cottonwoods on the fenceline. As recommended by every HVAC guy I've had over the years, hit the cottonwood real quick with a torch. They burn in an instant. Wash off the ash.

Been wrapping my unit in aluminum window screen for years now held with magnets. Also recommended by every HVAC pro I've ever had at this house. It comes off when the cottonwoods quit snowing.

My pops has done the same with both of his r-22 units for the last 23 years, zero problems.

 

[HillsideDesolate]

"I would recommend just rinsing it off. "

Just make sure you hose it from the inside of the condenser coil (where the cottonwood fibers are NOT) so that you are forcing them out the way they got sucked into the coil. If you just try to wash it from the outside (where the cottonwood seeds are) to the fan, all you will do is clog the fins even more.

Yes I should have been more specific.

Also probably a good idea to pull the service disconnect before rinsing.

 

[John6185]

I looked at mine and behold! Beau coup cottonwood residue was all over the coils. So I took it apart and started cleaning by hosing it out from the inside and the fan and housing fell on my arm and gave me a huge scrape that I'm nursing. Afterwards, I read that 1 tsp of dishwashing liquid soap to a at of water sprayed on the coils will clean the deposits.
Next time I'll. hire an a/c man.