Root Pruning on Douglas fir

[Ryan Keats]

I came across a Douglas fir yesterday which I noticed had three roots pruned to allow for the construction of a new staircase. The tree has a slight phototropic lean to the north east. The roots were pruned on the west and southwest side of the tree. Due to the tree's proximity to the houses, would you retain it?

 

[Tree_Frog]

These trees get big. How long until the trunk impacts the staircase? Has the lean been compensated for in the canopy? or is it a sign of failure?

 

[southsoundtree]

What is in the fall zone to the NE?

 

[Ryan Keats]

Thank you for the replies. The lean appears to be photo tropic. It hasn't fully corrected itself, and not knowing the history, I do not believe it has started to lean more since the roots have been cut. The root removal appears to be recent.

There is a fence, backyard and town homes in the fall zone.

 

[Tree_Frog]

What is the homeowners budget? Do they like the tree?


Plant a new tree in a new location as a replacement. Monitor this one for stress and movement. Possibly guy the tree if you see a need to redirect the fall to a open area if failure occurs.

Is bark beetle w big deal in your area for stressed trees? You could do a little IPM and inject it as a preventative.

Just some thoughts.

 

[Ryan Keats]

Oh sorry, it isn't my tree. I just happened to come across it and wondered what others would do. As such, I do not have a budget, etc.

 

[southsoundtree]

I wouldn't chance it with a 24 hour occupied fall zone. If root disease enters, or other disease, from stress, it will exacerbate the situation.

If its that close to the stairs, I imagaine the house side of the root zone is obstructed by the house.

 

[guymayor]

Ryan, if you don't own the tree, then you don't own the decision. Neither does anybody else here. We all lack sufficient information to base any decisions on. If we were assigned to make such a recommendation, we would have to do an inspection to see how many roots were cut and how many roots are present. Along with a lot of other details. I only see one 4 inch root cut; that seems quite minor.

I'm continually amazed that people's idea of doing an inspection is looking at one picture. In these conversations there is always mention of a target and always mention of a defect Real or imagined, and then some speculation about further defects or potential future defects. Anything positive about the tree is conveniently left out, and mitigation is not discussed. It's keep it or kill it remove it or retain it. Is this an arborist forum or not?anyway how much information is lacking does not matter because the non-discussion isimmediately followed by a judgment on the trees fate.

Who do we think we are? When the first risk manual came out in 1994 it set out the equation: target plus defect equals risk equals removal. Has nothing changed since then?Who do we think We are? No one assigned us to play God.

A 5 to 10% reduction, proper care of the rootzone for a change, and that's probably all that it needs, for quite a while.

 

[JeffGu]

Now, far be it for me to notice something fishy about a post, @guymayor (), but did you just post three paragraphs implying that we should not fall into the habit of playing God... and then immediately follow it all up with a Holy Commandment?

 

[guymayor]

Jeff, that was a specification, not a commandment.. I try to stay within my competence and qualifications by listing options for care that are likely to improve tree conditions , based on evidence (one 4" root, sheltered location, symmetrical form and healthy appearance), science and experience.

You may be right though about volunteering to make life-or-death decisions, based on speculation and assumptions. That may be less like taking on God's role in Judgment, and more like playing her counterpart's role. Whichever, it's outside an arborist's role and expertise to make quickie calls for removal, AS IF it was our tree.