Bleeding canker?

[tom91]

We have a horse chestnut tree that has developed a large crack in the bark originating at a fork. I don't think it is due to any storm damage etc., but the crack has been getting longer over the last year or so. At the top you can see through to the other side so the wood also seems to be splitting. Pictures from both sides attached.

 

I think it is bleeding canker? If so, what is the prognosis likely to be? I didn't notice any other signs of distress this year - the leaves seemed fine a it produced a good crop of conkers. No other horse chestnuts in the immediate vicinity. 

 

If it were to come down in a storm it wouldn't cause a lot of damage, but it would affect neighbouring gardens so we are considering chopping it down if the outlook isn't good.

 

Any comments or thoughts welcome.

 

Tom

[Steve Bullman]

Prospects don't look good.  Could quite possibly stand for years, but there is always going to be a weak point there.  Cut it down now while its still cheap and straight forward to do so

[Conor Wright]

Agree with Steve, it would be relatively inexpensive to remove now and you can easily grind out the stump and replant near to where that tree stands now.

[Chris at eden]

Looks like some separation in the fork as well from the top photo.