Can this tree be helped

[mickdundee]

It's in my father in laws garden and they'd be really upset to lose it but it not looking very healthy round the base. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks

[mickdundee]

I can still only do one pic at a time

[mickdundee]

Last one

[Cheesy pete]

yes put a gob in it and then a back cut that should help it to fall to the ground

[skyhuck]

Leave it alone and see how it does, maybe keep it small by reducing periodically.

[Paul Jenks]

The tree is towards the end of its life and is in decline and the historic landscaping won't have helped. It's a small tree and looks reasonably vigorous. A light trim should do it, if anything at all this year. As Huck said.

[mickdundee]

Thanks for replies. Confirms what I thought really but I'm no expert. The bark seems to be coming away almost, if not all the way round so don't know if there's any cambium layer in tact but it's still in good leaf

[treeseer]

Agree with Paul and Huck, and can't help but point out that no matter how precise a 'collar cut' is, a big wound is a big wound is a bad thing for the tree.

[mickdundee]

Do you suspect that was the start of the trees demise. To my untrained eye there's no sign of the tree trying to heal that cut. I never asked how long ago it was done

[se7enthdevil]

if your in laws are fond of the tree and it has to go then i can turn it into bowls or something to remember it by rather than just firewood it.