Torsion crack in Scots pine

[jonnygurkha]

Hi all, carried out a climbing inspection of a mature Scots pine today. The tree is a single stem to 5m then splitting into 4 stems then 6 stems. On the main stem there is a crack that stretches from nearly the top-most twig (~23m) down to roughly 8m in a spiral pattern. A similar crack appears on another of the stems. They seem oldish as there is quite a lot of reactive growth along the entire length. I am thinking its a torsion crack as the foliage on those two stems is only on the SW side possibly leading to uneven wind resistance. I am half inclined to recommend thinning and reducing the canopy to reduce wind sail effect but has too much damage already been done? Also there are plenty of targets nearby so want to err on the side of caution. Any views? Cheers

[edwood]

Could the cracks be lightning strikes? And it looks like a Corsican pine to me, I may be wrong though!

 

 

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[daltontrees]

I'd agree with the lightning damage suggestion if it goes all the way to the tips. Limited evidence from the photos but the damage seems to cross the grain, meaning it's superficial rather than a crack.

 

Even if it is Scots Pine, that much torsion is very unlikely. In my exerience any torsion in Scots Pine is rare.

[jonnygurkha]

Thanks for the replies. I have not come across this before, I had thought torsion crack as it spiraled round the trunk but lightning strike could be a possibility. In terms of recommendations, how does lightening affect the strength? Cheers

 

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[Stephen Blair]

I don't think its lightening, it's the type of damage I usually find on oak where big laterals on wood that's stringy buckles.

Lightening can leave anything from a scar, instant death to blown to bits!

It really is a horrible looking tree!

 

 

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