Bark receding about 1' up around entire base of silver maple

[MikoDel]

That happened at least some time ago. There is just a tiny bit of intact cambium in the 3rd pic that is keeping the tree alive.

It's trying to regrow (see circled area), but that tree should come down sooner than later. I suspect it will start dying quickly and shedding large branches. If someone needs to rig off of the tree they want live/strong branches for that.

View attachment 102097


Cause??? I don't know. There doesn't appear to be physical damage. I might have guessed something like armalaria, but there isn't really evidence of fungus left.

Maybe a lightning strike???

Indeed, after I posted these pics, I was looking at them and thinking, "good Lord!!! There is no conduit of nourishment up into the crown, except for that one small intact strip of bark in the back." It took me a second to realize that girdling doesn't only happen when some numbnuts puts a cable around the trunk and leaves it for years - this degradation counts too. Without the cambium layer (there's too many layers, sorry if I'm off) there's no water, no nourishment... and as you say, God knows how the roots are holding up.

Lightning strike is an interesting possibility.

I really appreciate all your expert input, and I will notify the owner that this tree is indeed a time bomb for future failure.

 

[southsoundtree]

I would expect some kind of teeth marks. Not out of the question....though. From a distance I might have thought a beaver, but again, there would be marks.

Stripping the bark off, not chewinging through the bark.

 

[Matias]

I have seen gopher do that to young trees, but never on anything with bark

 

[MikoDel]

@MikoDel this is who you want helping if they can...

Yes indeed, @Reach has offered his help, and info, in the past. He works for one of the big full svc co's like Bartlett or whatnot. You guys are great - thanks again.

 

[Reach]

Yes indeed, @Reach has offered his help, and info, in the past. He works for one of the big full svc co's like Bartlett or whatnot. You guys are great - thanks again.

Actually, I do not work for one of the big full service companies, I own a smaller full service company. We are a completely independent, single location company, but we specialize in the removal of large and limited access trees.

We lifted this massive Silver Maple tree out of a tiny backyard in the middle of downtown Lancaster city just the other week. This piece was 75 inches across at the narrowest point, and weighed in at 16,500 pounds.

 

[MikoDel]

Actually, I do not work for one of the big full service companies, I own a smaller full service company. We are a completely independent, single location company, but we specialize in the removal of large and limited access trees.

We lifted this massive Silver Maple tree out of a tiny backyard in the middle of downtown Lancaster city just the other week. This piece was 75 inches across at the narrowest point, and weighed in at 16,500 pounds.

WOAH!!! So U know something about rigging, then?
Goddam

I guess I got confused cause one of your sugg's for a client of mine in NE Phila, years ago, was to get a test done by a company who had a lab to ID diseases, and it was one of those companies fit the bill.

Beautiful work man. Scary Mary, but awesome.

 

[Treezybreez]

I saw a tree that had been girdled by beaver. One and one half feet of bark all the way around the trunk was missing, except a strip where a big fat hairy poison ivy vine was growing. Apparently poison ivy saved the tree, at least for the time being.

 

[Reach]

WOAH!!! So U know something about rigging, then?
Goddam

I guess I got confused cause one of your sugg's for a client of mine in NE Phila, years ago, was to get a test done by a company who had a lab to ID diseases, and it was one of those companies fit the bill.

Beautiful work man. Scary Mary, but awesome.

Yes, I know a little bit about rigging. I like working with big heavy trees, in challenging situations.

I know a little bit about plant healthcare as well, but I know more about rigging and hazard trees. Mostly when it comes to plant healthcare, outside of hazard assessments, I know who to call.

 

[Reach]

I saw a tree that had been girdled by beaver. One and one half feet of bark all the way around the trunk was missing, except a strip where a big fat hairy poison ivy vine was growing. Apparently poison ivy saved the tree, at least for the time being.

Wow, that's wild. I guess beavers don't like poison ivy either. Goats, however, love it. If that were a goat, he probably would've eaten the poison ivy first!

Supposedly, drinking the milk of a goat that has eaten poison ivy in the spring is supposed to reduce your susceptibility to poison ivy. I have never tried it, so I can't say whether or not it works, I don't get poison ivy at all so I wouldn't be a good candidate to test that theory.