Jump to content

Log in or register to remove this advert

Recommended Posts

Posted

I went to view this tree for a reduction and noticed this damage to the trunk, The owners have only been in a year and said it started to happen in the summer, At first I thought it was physical damage done by a digger they had in but on closer inspection there are cracks appearing all up the main trunk and I could see some on the lower branches too. Where the damaged bark meets the good bark, there appears to be a callus formed where it has tried to heal itself under the bark itself sealing the edges. There is no evidence of any fruiting bodies around the base or on the tree itself and the owner hasn't noticed any. There are one or two insect trails, but nothing that would point to EAB. Some blackened staining which is damp. I was thinking phytophtora and would advise to remove it as it's quite close to neighbours house.

WP_20170120_16_09_48_Pro.jpg.fa4968a07dbda66c46ff40eabb74fdba.jpg

WP_20170120_16_09_56_Pro.jpg.aa409cc80af19fdb5ba30f55535302a0.jpg

Log in or register to remove this advert

Posted

Could be a girdling root or root damage that has resulted in dysfunction on that side of the stem.

 

It could also have been caused by an adjacent bonfire, that wasn't close enough to scorch the bark, but the radiant heat enough to damage the cambium on that side.

 

Just some thoughts. I hope these are helpful.

Posted

Bear in mind that I am in no way qualified to offer advice, so please take this rather as thought to initiate discussion.

 

From the pictures you have posted it is hard to get a sense of scale, but the tree clearly has a distinct crown break, rather than a centre leader. If this is at a suitable height, it looks like all the branches are currently small enough to initiate a pollard?

 

Not to everyone's taste I know and it will require regular management on a suitable cycle. If the break point is too high (over about 10-12') it will look rather odd. However, if the owners like having the tree then it could be a way to enable long term retention as the sail would be minimised and think how many pollards there are with highly dysfunctional main trunks. The ecological benefits would also be significant.

 

Alec

Posted

Ah never thought of fire as a cause, does that account for the cracking of th e lower limbs? Root damage is certainly one probable cause as they had a digger in to clear the garden and there are no cracks in the other side. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll ask if they had a fire and take it from there.

Posted

It's already been "pollarded" ie. Cut to a totem pole. At the very least that must be done again.

 

In the medium term I can't see that tree having a future as anything but firewood.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Yes the owners have had several fires to clear the garden so this seems to be the cause of the cracking. Thank you for your valuable advice, they have decided to remove it instead of pollarding.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  •  

About

Arbtalk.co.uk is a hub for the arboriculture industry in the UK.  
If you're just starting out and you need business, equipment, tech or training support you're in the right place.  If you've done it, made it, got a van load of oily t-shirts and have decided to give something back by sharing your knowledge or wisdom,  then you're welcome too.
If you would like to contribute to making this industry more effective and safe then welcome.
Just like a living tree, it'll always be a work in progress.
Please have a look around, sign up, share and contribute the best you have.

See you inside.

The Arbtalk Team

Follow us

Articles

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.