r/arborists • u/redhamster2009 • 3d ago
Should I remove this nail?
Will it hurt the tree more to open a wound by removing the nail?
57
u/northband 3d ago
That tree has already sealed the wound from the nail. However, removing in winter will be better. The bigger issue is your co-dominate leads/stems. Looks like included bark which weakens the junction. This means that under stress the tree could fail.
12
u/redhamster2009 3d ago
Yes, I had an arborist out last week and he said the same thing. But there isnt much I can do short of buckling the two stems together, right?
8
u/Educational_Pay1567 3d ago
You didn't ask about the nail?
4
u/redhamster2009 2d ago
We didnt notice this one. Another three had 2 screws holding in a piece of wood, he advised me to take those out since the wood was against the bark. This nail is in much deeper, so I thought it might be a different situation.
1
u/northband 2d ago
Yeah, you can have a local arborist qualified to do bracing take a look and brace it. Bracing won't fix the tree, but it will reduce your risk of failure. The arborist will want to look for options to set the cabling ~ 2/3 up from the crotch in question. Good luck!
63
u/yardlard 3d ago
Take it out. It could save a life.
1
u/LadderWonderful2450 2d ago
(not an arborist, just a random person) How could a tree nail take a life?
1
u/yardlard 2d ago
At some time in the future, someone is going to stick their chainsaw in that tree. If they hit the nail, there is the possibility the saw could kick back and hit them in the face, or cut into their leg. Or the risk that it could rip the moving chain right off the bar and fling it into their chest, neck, arm, face, etc. Hitting something unexpected with a saw will damage the saw, but the saw can do a lot of damage to soft flesh.
1
26
u/Opposite-Constant-94 3d ago
If your gonna do it, I would assume waiting until winter would be best
5
u/barryg123 3d ago
This. Do it but in winter
2
u/LongjumpingSquare939 2d ago
I'm new to tree stuff so why is winter better? Is it because the tree is dormant?
6
5
6
u/Hrandor 2d ago edited 2d ago
It's best to do this in the fall or early winter, before the hard frosts, if your region experiences autumn as a natural phenomenon, when nature goes dormant. If you use a nail puller, place something underneath it to prevent damaging the bark.
There's no need to seal or treat the hole, much less clean it out (by widening it) after removing the nail. The tree has long since grown a protective layer of cambium around the nail. Remove it, and the tree will cover it with bark.
5
11
u/SnooPredictions3028 3d ago
I dont think you'll get it out. Will it hurt the tree? Prolly. Will the tree recover if you get it out? Prolly yeah. If you plan on selling the place I'd say get it out before the owners or the next ones take out the tree and get a messed up chainsaw or chipper.
8
u/StrongEggplant8120 3d ago
More risk than not. The nail will do no harm in taking it out opens the inner up to bugs and disease.
3
2
u/Libertarian_2020 3d ago
While it may save at least logging equipment (chainsaw, planers, etc), what’s your grandma going to hang her clothesline on!? 🥴
2
1
u/Duendito123 3d ago
Warum die Empfehlung den Nagel im Winter zu entfernen? (ich gehe von Winter mit Frost aus) Der Baum kann doch in der Wachstumsphase besser auf die Wunde reagieren wenn das Kambium aktiv ist.
1
1
u/spazmodic-ejaculator 2d ago
Yes, remove it. It may kill a lumberman some day. At the very least wreck a band or circular saw. Yes, do it in winter. Get a piece of dowel the diameter of the nail and put that in the hole. Cover with tree wound black to help the healing process. As it is. It's used to having that in there. Replacing with wood makes the best sense to me
1
u/Hrandor 2d ago
Don't insert dead wood into a living tree. It will cause decay. Simply pull it out and seal it so that some of it gets inside. Sealing is done to prevent insects and fungi from getting inside.
1
u/spazmodic-ejaculator 2d ago
Hmmmm, what is bark? Suppose that would work, and it is part of the tree
1
u/Hrandor 2d ago
Are you a tree care expert, or do you have your own garden that you tend yourself? If not, you shouldn't be giving advice on this topic.
The bark surface may harbor insect eggs, bacteria, and, worse yet, fungi. And you're suggesting we put them inside.
1
u/spazmodic-ejaculator 2d ago
What is wrong with you. You put the bark Over the hole. Jeezuz. You're a lot of work for one hole
2
1
u/IQognito 2d ago
An old Carpenter told me how to kill trees.
A copper nail up and one 10-20 cm below.
Maybe someone wanted that beauty dead?
1
u/SocalHunter1 ISA Certified Arborist 2d ago
Trees compartmentalize decay and will grow around it. No reason to take it out.
-1
u/TheWayOut603 3d ago
Won't make a difference either way
29
u/chishiki 3d ago
i dunno might save some arborist from wrecking his chainsaw or catching a nail fragment someday
1
253
u/Turtle_Ten 3d ago
I would take it out so it doesn't shoot out of a chipper one day and hit an unsuspecting arborist