Large walnut tree with fork holding water

[mike2736]

Hey everyone,

I have a large walnut tree that has grown quite massive, and I’m worried that it might split where it forks due to the weight of the branches. I’ve already installed a cable to brace the main limbs, but I’m unsure if that’s enough or if I should remove some weight by cutting parts of the tree. Would it be better to just prune dead branches and low-hanging ones instead?

One issue I’ve noticed is that the fork of the tree tends to collect water and dead leaves. Over the summer, I cleaned out the area and removed dead bark, where a lot of bugs were gathering. I’m wondering if this makes the tree more vulnerable or if it’s something I just need to maintain regularly.

I have some photos showing the tree’s structure from different seasons if that helps. I live in Europe, and unfortunately, there aren’t any arborist specialists in my area, so I need to handle this myself. I do have experience pruning and caring for fruit trees, but nothing this big.

Any advice on the safest approach and long-term health of the tree would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Edited 20 hours ago by mike2736

[openspaceman]

1 hour ago, mike2736 said:

I’ve already installed a cable to brace the main limbs,

I can see some sort of  rubber protection around the cables in the second picture but cannot make out the layout of the cables. Back in the day I when I was employed by a firm that regularly did bracing we attached the cable to eye bolts or screws into the branches or stems. That way the tree was not constricted as it grew in diameter. I know synthetic hollow braid rope is used now as it accommodates the growth.

[Mick Dempsey]

That fork is problematic and looks likely to fail at some point.

 

Leave the water in the crack, fungus can’t attack damaged wood underwater.

 

I can’t comment on the cabling cos I can’t really make it out.

 

If you’re dead set on keeping the tree, I’d advise a significant reduction.

 

Others my differ.

 

 

Edited 9 hours ago by Mick Dempsey

[nepia]

Walnuts don't take kindly to hard pruning - they bleed then die back - so if you do decide to prune go for many small cuts rather than a few large ones

 

I agree with Mick on leaving the cavity.  If you're determined not to have it water filled drill a drainage hole:  I did this years ago with a Tulip in my own garden and the union didn't fail for another 15 years! (But that was because I didn't manage the regrowth from a low level pollard just above the union)

[Mick Dempsey]

I’d disagree with Nepia, walnuts cope well with some pretty rigorous pruning.

 

They only bleed in the spring/late winter when the sap is rising.

[Stere]

What country is it in?

[Mike Hill]

Tell us about the Land Cruiser in the background?

Does it run?