Whats going on here??

[atree]

We removed to large dead limbs on this elm today,(only bits of dead wood)

Noticable cracks and soft underneath.

 

Just wondering what has caused it? and how is it caused the two large limbs to die only??

Edited February 8, 2010 by atree

[ScottF]

Lightning

[Alinicoll]

Some kind of vascular wilt? eg Dutch Elm. Don`t know if you get it out there:confused1:

[Silver Back]

Without seeing the tree, happy to if you pay expenses, I would look at the ground. You can quite often get a corresponding branch death if the root feeding that branch is damaged - trenched, chemicals etc. Certainly not exact but worth looking, next look at the cambium to see if it is discoloured, which would suggest wilt, as previously suggested. Might not be such a long shot; DED so look at bark, especially, the base of the branches for exit holes or galleries of the beetle, or any other beetles. Look also at other trees (and branches) in the vacinity especially similar species for symptoms. Consider timing when were first symptoms, how long did the branches take to die

[atree]

Without seeing the tree, happy to if you pay expenses, I would look at the ground. You can quite often get a corresponding branch death if the root feeding that branch is damaged - trenched, chemicals etc. Certainly not exact but worth looking, next look at the cambium to see if it is discoloured, which would suggest wilt, as previously suggested. Might not be such a long shot; DED so look at bark, especially, the base of the branches for exit holes or galleries of the beetle, or any other beetles. Look also at other trees (and branches) in the vacinity especially similar species for symptoms. Consider timing when were first symptoms, how long did the branches take to die

 

I worked on the tree last year or so and it was fine then.

No ground work has been taken place.

Stuck my fingers in just under the bark and it was brown and soft

All other trees around are fine and healthy in the immediate vacinity.

[Dionysus]

the tarmac and brick path is very close to the base of the tree, and the crack in the bark originates from where the tree meets the pathway, could this be a sign of root impaction? im just a newbie so only speculating.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Lightning