Damaged Blue Cedar

[Jxl254]

This beautiful blue cedar tree in my parents garden has had a large branch ripped off in a recent storm leaving a very big wound. Is there anything we can do to help preserve the tree for as long as possible?

Should anything be done to the wound? There’s a ledge that is collecting water so was wondering if that should be cut to let it drain?

 

The remainder of the tree seems to be stable, there’s no movement in the trunk at all and the roots haven’t been lifted. 

 

It’s such a special tree to us so trying to get as much advice as possible. 

[Khriss]

Looks like its been decaying in that union for some time. Glad no one was hurt. Get a climbing inspection done and go from there. K

[benedmonds]

 A climbing inspection would be pretty pointless, but it could be possible to retain the tree. I know others would disagree. Depending on the targets  I would probably recommend a 5 or 6m reduction, to reduce the sail area of the remaining tree. Cedar copes well with large wounds and with skill you can reduce cedars leaving the tree looking natural.  

[Mick Dempsey]

What use is a climbing inspection? It’s clear it’s an included union thingy that has failed.

You don’t need to climb up there to see that.

 

The tree is toast, out it comes.

[Steve Bullman]

Its a big tree alright, but I reckon a ladder will be enough to see whats going on in that wound Khriss. Climbing inspection is a bit unnecessary.

 

 

 

[Khriss]

Seen worse retained, inspection to see if it is possibel to retain, crown reduction more than likely needed. K

[AHPP]

If you want to justify keeping it:

Weight looks to be in the right direction, away from the house and over the rip. You've lost some wood on the side of the trunk that's probably under compression most of the time. Would be a bigger problem if you'd lost tension wood. Think about wind on the site though. That can change everything.

 

If you want to play it safe:

It's lost a massive bit and it looks like other bits could reach stuff. Fell, enjoy the heat from the fire, plant another. Teach your kids about death before it's a grandparent or a pet. £2-6000.

 

On advice:

Mick's plain. He likes killing trees. Khriss is a fanny. He likes paperwork. Ben is perhaps the worst businessman in the world. I only do what I'm told, usually removals. Unless you get someone very impartial (a paid professional who ONLY advises and has nothing to gain by advising any course of action) to look at it and they really do have a strong opinion either way (that they commit their liability to), the decision is always going to be yours.

Edited November 4, 2021 by AHPP

[monkeybusiness]

Looks like there’s possibly another similarly included union higher up that is in pole position to fail next, particularly now this branch has gone that was providing it with some degree of shelter. 
It needs looking at ‘in the flesh’ by someone who knows what they are talking about.

[Khriss]

14 minutes ago, monkeybusiness said:

Looks like there’s possibly another similarly included union higher up that is in pole position to fail next, particularly now this branch has gone that was providing it with some degree of shelter. 
It needs looking at ‘in the flesh’ by someone who knows what they are talking about.

Indeed, not a 'price over the  phone' twatter. K

[Treeation]

It doesn't look like decay in the failed union, looks like included bark,  Wind dynamics will now of changed so risk of further storm damage has increased. Might be possible to retain with some crown reduction work. Don't jump onto the idea that it needs to be felled just because someone tells you on forum. It means a lot to you, so, pay a few hundred quid to get an independent tree inspector to give you some decent advice and take it from there...let us know the outcome.

[Dan Maynard]

Looks like there’s possibly another similarly included union higher up that is in pole position to fail next, particularly now this branch has gone that was providing it with some degree of shelter. 
It needs looking at ‘in the flesh’ by someone who knows what they are talking about.

I saw that, may time to get the triple ladder out.