Sycamore tree major bark loss

[Mike Miller]

I'm a homeowner with a 60+ year old Sycamore tree. Recently, it has started loosing large bark pieces at the base of the tree. Only on one side, however. It's probably disease or insects, but would appreciate any observations. Thanks much.

Mike

 

[mrtree]

YOu need to find a person with advanced testing equipment to look at the amount of cross-sectional decay and holding wood. You need somebody with a tomograph and a resistograph to do this.

Do not believe anybody who says that tapping with a mallet will give them all the information they need.

 

[Mike Miller]

Thanks for your response and suggestions! I know there are plenty of so called "tree guys" who will just say it's gotta come down.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Where do you live? Someone here might be able
To put you in touch with a good local diagnostician

Keep us posted about what you discover

 

[Mike Miller]

Kansas City area.

 

[mrtree]

You need somebody with advanced skills not somebody that considers owning a chainsaw as qualification to inspect trees.

 

[Dragonslayer]

There's another way? I always do a main trunk cross section inspection before I give my diagnosis.

 

[mrtree]

There's another way? I always do a main trunk cross section inspection before I give my diagnosis.

NOt sure what you mean, another way.

The only way you can examine a cross section is tomography and resistograph. Mallets and probes do not give you this information

 

[JeffGu]

The only way you can examine a cross section is tomography and resistograph.

Or a chainsaw.

 

[JD3000]

Teams of starving beavers really needing some hard wood.

Second on advanced assessment.

 

[Dragonslayer]

NOt sure what you mean, another way.

The only way you can examine a cross section is tomography and resistograph. Mallets and probes do not give you this information

Jeff got it. Unless the customer likes to rake I automatically recommend removal on sycamores.

 

[cerviarborist]

That "elephant foot" of reaction wood at the base definitely rates closer inspection.