Case Study 2.0 - Sugar maple

ATH

ATH

Been here much more than a while
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Findlay, Ohio
@colb posted a Case Study thread about different options for managing a White oak.

I looked at a Sugar maple today that is not in great shape, and thought I'd ask for some opinions in the same vein. I said in that one I wouldn't install hardware because I think it can still be corrected with pruning. This one...I'm not so sure?

The left side of this tree is to the west (prevailing winds) and if it fell would go through a solarium.

It is fairly upright for a Sugar maple. Too upright is the problem. Terrible branch angles all over. Some of the worst can be pruned. However, this double leader has me scratching my head a little.

West side of the trunk is 14" in diameter. Right is 11".

From the top of the V to where it is obviously has included bark is about 30" down. Probably further if I had to bet... There is no evidence that the split has opened up.

I don't think I can get a cable in there because by the time you go 2/3 of the way from the fork to the top, the limb to the east is only about 2" in diameter, so its not going to hold anything. Bracing rods only? 2 placed about 16" above the V and 2 or 3 below? Looking at the BMP chart shows 5/8" rod.

Probably taking off the lowest limb on the left because several of the smaller branches at the upper reaches of that are reaching out and getting close to the house. Other pruning would focus on those bad angles. Doing that would largely take care of reducing some of the weight on the west trunk.

Sorry, I didn't get great pictures...

20180402_150401.webp
 
Is that basal decay or just weird bark?

Yeah, left side is a mess. Get in there with removals and reductions then brace it? Maybe a lower cable than 2/3 too?
 
Both... There is some damage down there, but it is solid under it, negligible strength loss. It is almost like the codomiant split goes all the way down there if you look closely.
 
Yeah...but not usually A. saccharum

I don't disagree that replacement is the best option, but not all homeowners are on board.
 
ATH said:
Yeah...but not usually A. saccharum

I don't disagree that replacement is the best option, but not all homeowners are on board.
Click to expand...

The only house it is going to crush is theirs. It doesn't offend me like a bigol Bradford pear would.
 
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ATH said:
Yeah...but not usually A. saccharum

I don't disagree that replacement is the best option, but not all homeowners are on board.
Click to expand...
Depends on the nursery. Did a couple train wrecks today and one was an 'Endowment' or another upright cultivar.
 
Brace then reduce to wood strong enough for a cable. Make the 2/3rds rule work with a chainsaw? It would be ugly but might work? I’ve also seen pipe installed in place of a cable where it was too narrow, this was below the 2/3rds mark.
Perhaps severe reduction to ground level? Pollard?
 
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They can get a lot more years out of it... 10+ if they like so the client's needs and wants becomes a major factor in the fate of this tree. I wouldn't bother with a brace, just a cable and light thinning...
 
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I'm just not convinced that there is enough of anything on that right side to hold up the left side with a cable if we get a hard east wind (uncommon). Not as concerned about the right side falling as there isn't as much mass and it will just go to the yard.

I'm not convinced bracing will hold it either...but maybe more confident of that than cable??? That's why I'm asking! Appreciate the thoughts. Is "making the 2/3 rule work with a chainsaw" better or worse than just breaking the 2/3 rule??? Neither is ideal, but there is nothing ideal about this tree...
 
If the customer is intent on retaining the tree, the only way I’d personally feel comfortable is bolts, a cable (dynamic or static) and heavy reduction of weight on the left side. Plant a replacement near the tree, and call it good for 3-5 years (possibly with additional pruning). Beyond that 3-5 mark send it for the chipper.
Let them know it’s Humpty Dumpty and the best anyone can due it prolong all the Kings men throwing their hands up and walking away
 
ATH said:
... I'm not convinced bracing will hold it either...but maybe more confident of that than cable???...
Click to expand...
That tree (from what the picture shows) is a good candidate for bracing. Normally cabling is done also at the same time. So do both to address the weak attachment and do structural pruning to address the imbalance.
Also, I would take a look a few inches underground to verify that the above ground work will not be negated by an unseen weakness below.
 
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