Horse Chesnut with cracks

[benedmonds]

I've a big old horse chestnut in a school grounds. It has lots of cracks up the trunks as HC's often get and one particular limb (45cm diameter) that stretches out over a foot path. My feeling is to do nothing, what do ya all think?

[Simon Rotheram]

How much end weight is there is it the whole vertical limb on the left over the path?

[benedmonds]

How much end weight is there

Lots

is it the whole vertical limb on the left over the path?

Yes.

[Marc]

I've seen a lot, even today lifting some mature horse chesnuts over a road, very big heavy limbs with old historic splits.

 

Your tree from what i can see looks in great shape with strong unions, but surely being in a school ground maybe something should be done, like a nice light reduction on that limb only and cobra brace as a duty of care.

 

The Chesnut would probably last years without our interference, but then what would be the point of preventative or safety works?

[Simon Rotheram]

I think you need to take into account the target - School children and the fact that this defect has been idntified. I agree, I would remove weight and possibly brace.

 

Failing that fell it and cut it up for firewood!!

[Amelanchier]

I think you need to take into account the target - School children and the fact that this defect has been idntified. I agree, I would remove weight and possibly brace.

 

Failing that fell it and cut it up for firewood!!

 

Hold up. Is it a defect??? Is the crack present in the sapwood or is it just a bark crack?

[benedmonds]

Hold up. Is it a defect??? Is the crack present in the sapwood or is it just a bark crack?

 

It's an historic crack IMO. but it does run for about 4m along the side of the limb. The heart wood is exposed for the fist meter or so but does not show any signs of cracking. It continues up the limb as a bark crack. There is no crack on the oposite side.

[bob]

do like most folk

do what makes you most money

[Marc]

It's an historic crack IMO. but it does run for about 4m along the side of the limb. The heart wood is exposed for the fist meter or so but does not show any signs of cracking. It continues up the limb as a bark crack. There is no crack on the oposite side.

 

I've seen and climbed worse, and had been split for a long time.

A reduction and brace should be enough to make it safe then monitor it yearly. Its a great tree retain it for as long as possible.

[benedmonds]

do like most folk

do what makes you most money

 

Repeat custom and recommendations due to doing a good job, having a conscience and not recommending pointless works…