44" DBH Silver Maple removal alternatives

tanglehorn

tanglehorn

44\" DBH Silver Maple removal alternatives

Hi Tree Buzz, I have recently been asked to submit a quote for the removal of this 44 DBH Silver Maple. Included in the quote would be the removal of 21 feet of sidewalk and grinding all the roots and stump.

Anyways I was wondering about the possibility of making a raised side walk or something of the sort.

It seems silly to take out this tree because of the environmental benefits it gives. At first glance it appears to be in decent shape. Its not a perfect tree by any means but what do you all think should be done?


It is a city tree and after speaking with the people that live under it and expressing some thoughts on alternatives I soon realized that maybe part of the reason the city is doing anything is because these people have witched enough about the roots in the yard..


Anyways I got 3pics of it.. any feedback is appreciated.
 

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Re: 44\" DBH Silver Maple removal alternatives

pic number 2 from street.
 

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Re: 44\" DBH Silver Maple removal alternatives

Remove - Don't think twice about it. Silvers are a nice tree in the right spot, this isn't one of them.

I'm all for saving a tree if it makes sense, this isn't one those times to me at least. A raised sidewalk would be beneficial - but then you will have the ADA (American Disability Act) to deal with. Wheelchairs and little rascals need to be able to travel. I also can't imagine there is much of a root system on the road side of that tree?

Maybe you can reutilize some of the wood for the city to use in a project - that would at least give you a little comfort in taking it down.
 
Re: 44\" DBH Silver Maple removal alternatives

Give them what they asked for; a price for removal. Don't waste time trying to change the course of a government bureaucracy. Remember the Serenity Prayer.
 
Re: 44\" DBH Silver Maple removal alternatives

well I agree that in this case its not the correct path, but last week I saw 2 locust trees removed that must have been at least 75 years old. Not sure what species. but very nice trees in front of the YMCA.. I just wanna know why people dont need to get any permission to remove trees like these. I am gonna see if my city has a tree commission.
 
Re: 44\" DBH Silver Maple removal alternatives

Take it down. That tree is a good candidate for wind throw. You can't save the all.
 
Re: 44\" DBH Silver Maple removal alternatives

Well 3 votes for the ax, 1 to preserve. No defects visible--roots in yard? those lawns look normal.
surface roots can be filled up to and seeded.
ADA is fine with ramped sidewalks, if wheels will roll.
Can't whack em all.
Roots under street? Heck yes.
Windthrow, with that sparse crown and big buttress? Joke!
Throw the town's wording on tree value back in its face, if it pushes to lose assets due to petty beyotching about lawns.
 
Re: 44\" DBH Silver Maple removal alternatives

If your city doesn't yet have tools to help in tree preservation you need to start offering better solutions. 10 years ago in my city that tree would be toast but thanks to a lot of hard work but like minded tree lovers and environmental realists, all alternatives would have to be exhausted before removal.

You can't change people in a day and digging your heels in and saying you won't remove it may damage your reputation too much. Give them two quotes: one to remove and one to prune it and ramp the sidewalk. They may just go with the cheaper option which is likely keeping it.

Vince
 
Re: 44\" DBH Silver Maple removal alternatives

I hug with the best of them, but that placement? What arborist would have ever guessed a silver maple could get that big?

Retaining the tree is completely do-able, but will take some commitment from those involved. Sidewalk - current liability. Primary wires - current liability. Not likely, but windthrow toward the house - liability. Co-doms - maybe a liability. Tree just flat out not in a good spot. Roots have to go somewhere. Try again OR engineer a park around it :). I'd lean toward the try again - seen quite a few broken 5-6" limbs from silver maples which could prompt heavy-handed pruning. Additionally, right of way clearing will be coming, which may serve to further the hazard and hasten eventual removal (all living things have an end). Good business for a tree company, but not a good use of funds IMO. Granted, this is all over the next 20 years, but perhaps a new tree would be similar in size after 20 years. If they opt for removal, make sure it gets replaced.

The park might be nice too :).

Just borrow about 10 feet of the resident's yard. If you could divert a river to flow by the silver maple, the tree would love that too.
 
Re: 44\" DBH Silver Maple removal alternatives

[ QUOTE ]
Well 3 votes for the ax, 1 to preserve. No defects visible--roots in yard? those lawns look normal.
surface roots can be filled up to and seeded.
ADA is fine with ramped sidewalks, if wheels will roll.
Can't whack em all.
Roots under street? Heck yes.
Windthrow, with that sparse crown and big buttress? Joke!
Throw the town's wording on tree value back in its face, if it pushes to lose assets due to petty beyotching about lawns.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen many trees like this blow over in the Washington, DC area. We have a lot of mature street trees growing in the same restricted area as shown in the picture. During the summer we tend to get severe thunderstorms and there will always be a picture in the paper of a similar tree crushing a car, house etc. Sometimes a person will get killed. No joke. The tree should come down.
 
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