Massive branch fell of 80 foot Acer in my garden

[FallenBranches]

As per the title, a 20-30 foot long branch just came down in my garden, fortunately nobody was hurt and nothing was damaged. I have young kids, so this is very worrying. What are typically the causes of something like this (the branch was very much alive), I am concerned because of the size of the tree and that it just fell off, there was no wind or anything else, today has been a warm, pleasant day.  How do I get an assessment for the overall health of the tree
 

also the break is awkward and I need to get the branch cut properly, which will require a tree surgeon because the break is 40 foot up. Do I need to tell the council?

[Michael h]

HI Fallenbranches

Failures like this are normally attributed to something called "Summer Branch Drop" which occurs in certain species after prolonged dry spells, as we have seen in the UK recently, causing branches to become brittle and fail without warning. What direction was the branch facing?, what time of day? .

the cause is not very well understood but it is uncommon.

Having said that, as with all trees, if there are important things underneath (e.g.kids) get it checked by a professional.

It's a good idea to get the branch pruned back properly; only need to tell council if you doing works to a protected tree. Council or good arborist can tell you that.

here you can find a local professional

cheers

Mike

 

[Steve Bullman]

Bit more info on summer branch drop being discussed here 

 

 

 

[Mick Dempsey]

To me that doesn’t look like summer branch drop, at least not as I understand It.

 

Branch not big enough, plus there’s peel off rather than a clearer separation.

 

[FallenBranches]

Thank you guys. I will get a specialist to come and look at the tree and also trim that branch to make sure it cures properly

 

i hope the tree is OK, it is an ancient massive thing and I really want to preserve it

[Dan Maynard]

Is this where it tore out?

 

Seems like there were four branches coming off the same spot, I wonder if it had been previously cut at that point and then all the sprouting left on.

 

Maybe worth looking closely for other previous pruning effects.

 

 

[Michael h]

5 hours ago, Mick Dempsey said:

To me that doesn’t look like summer branch drop, at least not as I understand It.

 

Branch not big enough, plus there’s peel off rather than a clearer separation.

 

Certainly agree it's not the classic heavy lateral. 

I guess it depends on your definition of the term, whether you take it to mean just the usual short fracture of a large horizontal branch or a catch all for any unexplained failure in calm weather.

Reading the SBD note Steve linked to, there doesn't seem to be a clear agreement on what the term actually means.

 

 

[Stubby]

Any included bark apparent ?  

[Khriss]

Climbing inspection for landowner, weather doesn't seem a factor, high target value =  prompt action.  Full foliage crown so decline doesn't seem apparent. How strange ! K

[Darrin Turnbull]

Maybe 

Massaria disease