laddo
Member
- Location
- New Orleans, LA
A customer of mine has a Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) with a pretty major co-dominate situation going on. The tree is next to the house and one of the leaders is growing out and leaning over the house. The customer would like to save the tree if possible, but wants the lead over the house gone. Each lead is approx 30’-40’ tall and 14”-16” dbh. I can clearly see a branch bark ridge at the union and there does not appear to be any inclusion of bark.
Obviously removing this lead will leave a significant wound that I am worried the tree will not be able to sufficiently compartmentalize. The union is only 2’ or so above the root crown so any decay there would spell “hazard” and compromise the tree as a whole.
I would like some opinions on this. I am relatively new to the industry and would like to be able to manage my customer’s expectations on this one.
• Aim High, Climb Trees •
Obviously removing this lead will leave a significant wound that I am worried the tree will not be able to sufficiently compartmentalize. The union is only 2’ or so above the root crown so any decay there would spell “hazard” and compromise the tree as a whole.
I would like some opinions on this. I am relatively new to the industry and would like to be able to manage my customer’s expectations on this one.

• Aim High, Climb Trees •