Catalpa with defected union opinions and advice please

[Twentyeight Trees]

Hey guys, 

 

I recently went to look at a catalpa with a bad first union, it’s already started cracking/opening… it really doesn’t have long left till it fails. 
 

I would be super appreciative of opinions on what to do with said tree, I’ll attach photos below. 
 

would one of the 3 below align with others? 
 

1: crown reduction by approx 1.5m and a static brace like cobra etc

 

2: crown reduction and a rod bracing system 

 

3: as it’s already split and a fairly young tree, removal of entire limb and monitor decay over the years. 
 

Any help is appreciated! 
 

Thanks 🙌

 

[woody paul]

If you are going to reduce it go harder then 1.5m, even a high pollard would be best. Big question is would leave it standing in a garden where children play. 

[Will C]

3 cut prune would be my favoured option 

[Mick Dempsey]

Take out the lesser half and a hard prune, they’ll come back from any sort of hacking.

Then repollard every few years.

[maybelateron]

1 hour ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Take out the lesser half and a hard prune, they’ll come back from any sort of hacking.

Then repollard every few years.

I have recently taken down a Catalpa that we regularly pollarded for years; only took it down because customer wanted it down, not failing in any way. I was amazed at how quickly it grew back each time.

[Mick Dempsey]

Work on a few out here, hard pollards order of the day, 1 year later they’re right back.

[Twentyeight Trees]

Thanks for the reply’s chaps. 
 

I was leaning more toward the removal of associated limb / heavy reduction. 
luckily the section that is failing is going over the neighbouring fence with just the fence as the target. 
 

cheere 🙌