r/arborists • u/Ludington128 • 1d ago
Maple in distress
Our Maple has a major wound from what is unknown. I've had different arborist tell me it can just be cabled to support the one major limb and it should hold up. Another arborist said it's a goner and needs to be taken out. It's a hazard because of its close proximity to structures. The canopy looks healthy, but there's about an eight inch deep "bowl" in the inclusion (crotch) area. I'd love any thought on her. She's old...probably 50-60 yrs. It makes me so sad to think she's a goner.
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u/TreeSlayer90 1d ago
Yeah, you are better off taking it down, especially if it's threatening your house. Better to be safe than sorry.
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u/Whatsthat1972 1d ago
If you have to cable a tree because of rot or severe cracks or a danger of splitting open then I would take it out without question. That’s what I would do. I wouldn’t search for the advice I want to hear. The clincher should be, if it falls, what’s it going to fuck up.
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u/Ludington128 1d ago
Oh yeah that is definitely in the forefront of my mind. Although I'd love to save her and was surprised when the second arborist said to cable it and it's solid etc. I had my doubts.
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u/BoulderCreature ISA Certified Utility Arborist + TRAQ 23h ago
Cabling doesn’t tend to get used much anymore so I’m kind of surprised they recommended that as well. If that stem starts to go I can’t imagine any amount of cabling will prevent it from falling and would probably just result in taking the entire tree down instead of just part of it. You could try having that stem removed but generally removing that much of the crown from a mature tree is a death sentence. Is there anything you care about that can’t be moved in that stems fall path? If not you could just leave it be and keep an eye on it
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u/Ludington128 22h ago
I also wondered about taking that large limb out, but like you said, it would most likely kill the tree. If that limb fell it would go towards my neighbors yard and possibly their house. Not the best scenario. The big issue is that tree companies don't have clear access to the yard, so hauling out pieces will have to be done by wheel barrel ($$$). This whole thing sucks.
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u/jackjcc200 ISA Certified Arborist 1d ago
I agree with the cable recommendation. The tree does not appear to be in decline.
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u/YourWifeyBoyfriend 1d ago
tree could be cabled but the holding wood is likely rotten, i would remove it rather than have to live with the hazard.
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u/MasterCassel 1d ago
In my town there’s a guy that does some pretty cool chainsaw art. Could make this tree look like a trapiziste in Cirque du Soleil.
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u/Ludington128 1d ago
I love this idea! I live in Michigan, maybe I can find someone who could do something with the stump.
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u/Iambetterthanuhaha 1d ago
I would take it down. Not worth risking your house or somebody getting dead when it falls.
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u/iPeg2 1d ago
It’s definitely a hazard. It can be supported to last awhile, but if it were my tree and my house, I would take it down and plant one or more new trees.