Sudden branch drop

[Gazelle1]

Hello,

 

We have a large (50ft ish) oak tree in our garden, and on Saturday, after the prolonged dry spell finally broke, a large 20ft (ish) bough came down. After doing a bit of research it appears that this could well have been sudden branch drop. I’m not sure if the tree will survive – there is a deep hole where the bough came away (see pictures attached - not very clear, sorry!) – any thoughts?

 

Also, how common is it that more than one bough will come down? I’m really concerned that we’ll get more suddenly breaking off!

 

Thank you

[htb]

Not sure on the oak branch drop, more of a factor is the poor branch union structure and included bark, coupled with the recent rain and has it been windy/strong gusts.

[Gazelle1]

Hi thank you for replying. What is it that's wrong with the branch structure and bark? Would it be wise to have some of the other branches taken down as a precaution? 

[htb]

If you look at the 1st picture, you will see that 2 remaining branches are growing close together at a narrow angle, the branch that has come off would have been in the same position as a group of 3. As the branches grow they get thicker, between the 3 branches, there is really nowhere for it to go so it becomes "included" into the joint. This to a degree weakens the joint and pushes it apart and as the tree moves in the wind it tends to open the joint, then you get water and debri entering into the joint and then decay ( you can see the grey staining in your picture this has been going on for a whilst). Then along comes the wind and rain and branch lets go.

 

Others will be along later with a clearer explanation than mine.

 

The single branch could be removed, but I fear that the 2 remaining leaders are starting to split, I would get someone local to have a look. Some will say fell and replant.

As a rule branch unions at 45-75 degrees are the strongest

[Gazelle1]

Thank you, that's really useful. We've got a tree surgeon coming along tonight to have a look. Hoping that we can avoid having to have the whole tree down. 

[Steve Bullman]

31 minutes ago, htb said:

Not sure on the oak branch drop, more of a factor is the poor branch union structure and included bark, coupled with the recent rain and has it been windy/strong gusts.

i'd agree with this.  It could be a factor but typically summer limb drop would see the branch snapping rather than peeling off.

[Steve Bullman]

7 minutes ago, htb said:

 

 

Others will be along later with a clearer explanation than mine.

 

 

I dunno mate, that was as clear as you're get in laymans terms ?

[Gazelle1]

Yep - that's really clear thank you!

 

 

[Gazelle1]

One more question - if we did have to have the whole tree down, very roughly how much would we be looking at for felling and disposal? I would estimate that it's around 50ft tall, and there's reasonable access to the garden through a side gate, plus an access road directly behind the tree. We are based on the borders of south east London/Kent. 

 

Thank you 

[HuntingHicap]

Very roughly between 300 quid and a grand depending on the type of company you employ, their standards of work, how desperate they are for the job, whether you want the stump ground out, what sort of things are under the tree etc the list goes on...?