Trimming side of Sycamore Trunk

AMReid

AMReid

Location
Columbia
Hi all -

I was hoping I could get some advise from an arborist and/or experienced tree professional. I have a fairly mature sycamore that I have built a treehouse structure relatively close to. Now that a couple years have passed, the sycamore trunk is starting to rub on a corner of the structure. I have trimmed back the structure in this area, but it is not enough. My question is, can I shave off about an inch of the trunk structure in this small area to provide relief to this rubbing??? Will this be overly detrimental to the tree??

Thanks
Alex
 
I'm going to assume you're talking about a common playground equipment structure on 4x4 pressure treated posts. When I build these, the posts are in 10" diameter post holes that are 30 to 40 inches deep and filled with concrete. Most people don't go to this much trouble. Long before I'd do that much damage to a healthy, mature hardwood tree... I'd move the treehouse structure, regardless of how you did the post footings.

Cutting away the tree would be the last thing I would consider doing. First of all, if the tree grew enough to start rubbing in two years, you'd only be buying yourself another two years before the problem returned. Then, there's the very real chance that the injury to the tree would lead to insect damage, rot and possibly lead to the poor sycamore's demise. You have to place a value on two things: the tree, and the work it would take to either move the structure or alter it. The latter might take a couple of days. Getting another nice tree up to the size of your sycamore would take years. You didn't mention where it is rubbing on the structure, but what about a little remodel? Can you modify it to cut a corner off at 45 degrees (assuming it's rubbing on a corner)? Children won't find the odd floor plan a problem. If it is rubbing in the middle of a wall, can you add structural members inward on the structure, then cut the existing outer ones to form a semi-circular cutout that gives the tree 10 or 12 inches of growing room?

My point is, you might have to use your imagination a bit. You might end up with a treehouse that is actually more interesting, aesthetically, and that doesn't require hacking away at a healthy tree's trunk. You wouldn't cut half your toes off just to make a pair of nice shoes fit, and the tree probably has more value than a few days work to alter or move the treehouse.

Give it some thought, and let us know what you come up with. Trust me, you're not the only one who built something without thinking about how fast time flies and trees grow. Personally, the challenge of solving the problem without damaging the tree or destroying the treehouse would be worth every bit of expense and work involved, and something I would take pride in.
 
extremely detrimental to the tree!... the trunk is all a tree has... all the fluids needed to keep a tree healthy and vibrant must circulate up and down the trunk.. as soon as you put a wound in the trunk, the tree starts to put up chemical barriers to prevent the spread of decay (which will not be successful long term in your scenario).. those barriers also interfere with the tree's circulation and can therefore be a cause of decline and eventual death..
 
Not for nothing, but the OP would do well to retain an arborist in his neck of the woods with experience in resolving tree/infrastructure conflicts, if the tree and the playground are that important to them.
 
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