Large Sycamore Tree with included bark - what are my options

[castlemonkey]

I was after some advice regarding a large mature sycamore tree that I have in my back garden. I have had it inspected by a tree surgeon and he pointed out to me a defect in the trunk of the tree which increases the risk of the tree failing in the future and suggested it was best to remove and replant due to the potential risk it posed to both my garden and my neighbours garden and property. I am reluctant to remove the tree as it is a feature of the garden and ideally I would like to retain the tree if it is safe to do so.

 

From what my tree surgeon said and from the research I have done through the internet, the sycamore is made up of two codominant stems with a tight V shaped union with signs of included bark between them but there appears to be no signs of cracking or decay at or around the join. The main trunk is near vertical some 45cm diameter and the other some 35cm diameter has grown at a slight lean to the southern light. The trunk at the base is some 65cm diameter with the union starting some 50cm off the ground. The included bark sections below the union are some 20-25cm long and 3cm wide on one side of the tree and 8cm on the other. The sycamore tree is at least some 15m high and has a crown diameter of a similar amount (15-18m). The tree is otherwise healthy, has a good shape, is in leaf, with little deadwood. No previous pruning has occurred to the tree it has been allowed to grow naturally.

 

The tree overhangs my two neighbours’ gardens/properties, and so as the landowner I understand I have some responsibility in ensuring that I reduce the risk that the tree poses. One neighbour’s house is some 20m from the tree, with the branches extending into their garden some 6m; the other neighbour is closer with their garage some 9m from the base of the tree although there is a drop in land levels of some 2m in-between. The crown of the tree extends to be roughly level with the edge of their garage.

 

I have attached photos of the tree showing its location, the 2 main trunks, and the included bark union from both sides.

 

I was wondering what was best to do with this sycamore tree.

 

From the photos is the diagnosis of included bark correct?

Is the tree safe / worth saving given its location, size, and defect?

If the tree is safe to retain what is my minimum requirements that I need to take to remove/limit my liability as landowner?

What are my best options with regards to pruning to limit the strain on the trunks?

Would it benefit / is it worth cabling or bracing the tree and if so what sort of cost is involved?

Given its current size and that it is some 50 years old already; how much bigger is this sycamore likely to grow?

 

I would welcome any advice that anyone can give.

 

Many Thanks.

[Jake Andrews]

Is it a tight crotch? Yes

Is it worth retaining? That's your choice but the arborist may or should have given you options or his opinion.

Can it be braced? Yes

Cost? Not sure in your neck of the woods but it would be an on going programme of site visits climbing inspections and possible pruning works too a schedule too reduce weight and wind load.

 

What were you contacting the arborist about when he pointed at the union. Was it to do with the sycamore?

 

Jake:thumbup1:

[Ollie Wall]

Agree with jake, the main options i see are: monitor, reduce, brace or all three. Someone will come along with some more knowledge to give you a better option.

Ollie

[Le Sanglier]

Fwiw if you were keen to retain the tree I'd say reduce and cobra brace the two stems.

Cost, 500 odd for the reduction, 200 maybe for the bracing.

Just my 2 penneth worth.

[Craig Johnson]

Hi

first point to get right, as the land/tree owner you don't have to reduce the risk, you have to Manage the risk.

the tree looks ok, but inspect again in 12 months, tree risk management done!

[Ollie Wall]

Once they have been informed of the risk, isnt it down to them to reduce it? I.e contract the works to an arborist? This is how i understood it, correct me if im wrong?

[Craig Johnson]

Once they have been informed of the risk, isnt it down to them to reduce it? I.e contract the works to an arborist? This is how i understood it, correct me if im wrong?

 

its about the management of the risk. when that is potentially higher than the excitable level, a management plan should be put in place.

you don't have to do anything to the tree to be managing it.

[Jake Andrews]

Hi

first point to get right, as the land/tree owner you don't have to reduce the risk, you have to Manage the risk.

the tree looks ok, but inspect again in 12 months, tree risk management done!

 

But the question he's asking is can the tree be saved as he is reluctant too remove the tree as it's a feature of the garden. The crotch is a weakness/possible failure point. Why risk not doing anything and have potentially half a tree collapse and ruin it's appearance as a feature.

 

Inevitably the tree will have too be braced or heavily reduced in the future. Why prolong the inevitable?

 

Jake:thumbup1:

[castlemonkey]

Hi all thanks for the responses. I had originally contacted my arborist about the sycamore with the view of letting more light into my garden, and his suggestion was to crown raise and to thin the crown in order to let more light onto my lawn which is predominantly in the shade. That was before he saw the union and then said it would be better to reduce the crown height, but it would lead to ongoing maintenance, and in the long run it would be better and more cost effective to remove the tree fully and replant with another tree.

 

Would crown raising and / or thinning the crown be sensible in this case? Or is crown reduction a better solution? Would it be wise to just brace / cable the tree and not prune in any way?

 

I was unaware of the risk posed by the union until I was told about it, so from what has been said in terms of my liability as the landowner I need to manage any risk that the tree poses. My only concern is the proximity to neighbours if it was to fail. I assume now that I know there is a point of weakness in the tree I have to do something as opposed to nothing?

 

Thanks,

 

Adrian

[joshscott]

Get rid. It's in a crap location, will only get worse as the years go on. Nip it in the bud now. Many replant another tree in a better location.

[Le Sanglier]

Hi all thanks for the responses. I had originally contacted my arborist about the sycamore with the view of letting more light into my garden, and his suggestion was to crown raise and to thin the crown in order to let more light onto my lawn which is predominantly in the shade. That was before he saw the union and then said it would be better to reduce the crown height, but it would lead to ongoing maintenance, and in the long run it would be better and more cost effective to remove the tree fully and replant with another tree.

 

Would crown raising and / or thinning the crown be sensible in this case? Or is crown reduction a better solution? Would it be wise to just brace / cable the tree and not prune in any way?

 

I was unaware of the risk posed by the union until I was told about it, so from what has been said in terms of my liability as the landowner I need to manage any risk that the tree poses. My only concern is the proximity to neighbours if it was to fail. I assume now that I know there is a point of weakness in the tree I have to do something as opposed to nothing?

 

 

 

 

nothing wrong with ongoing maintenance, re reduce it every 5 years or so, no big deal.

sycamore resond well to pruning, if you decide after 5,10,or 15 years to fell it the choice is yours.

As said before all assuming you want to keep it.

it's easy to say fell and replant but will you see the benefit of the replacement?