wobbly walnut tree

[citrus]

I have a reasonably sized Large English Walnut in our garden and last year in one of the storms I noticed that it was swaying .. actually more like rocking .... the roots on my neighbours side have definitely been compromised.

 

I took some lower limbs off last year to reduce the weight on the side it leans towards (our side) .. and this year it delivered a good crop of walnuts hand picked by the squirrels and collected by me !

 

My question is ... given its been in this wobbly condition (only in bad wind) for over 9 months ... do we think the tree can rebuild roots and power on ?

 

(Will try and get some photos tomorrow morning)

 

My concern is the tree produced a good crop as a "last grenade" before it packs up and dies.

 

Yours curiously

 

Chris

[agg221]

From the photos, the crown does look a lot more open than the average walnut, with rather long, thin branches. It also looks like it has been crown lifted which means that what is left still has quite a lot of leverage. In my inexpert opinion it could probably take a bit of reduction as the branches look thin and spindly, assuming suitable points can be found to reduce to. This would reduce wind resistance and make it more stable, but really you need someone to take a look as photos don't always give the full story.

 

Alec

[Mick Dempsey]

They seem to fall a lot, often staying heathy afterwards and producing lots of nuts.

Those aren't good pics but I'd bet that within a couple of years that ones is on its way over.

[citrus]

Yeah the ground does move a little and can see one of the roots near the truck has defo snapped ... what does it mean when you say "looks like the leaf cover is thicker in the centre of the crown? "

[citrus]

i did try and prop it ... but when it rocked back the prop would fall out !! have a mate who owes me a favour to come round but trying not to be to "needy"

[billpierce]

Yeah the ground does move a little and can see one of the roots near the truck has defo snapped ... what does it mean when you say "looks like the leaf cover is thicker in the centre of the crown? "

 

basically, less leaf coverage on the furthest points of a crown, to me would indicate that the tree is feeling pretty stressed out!

 

if the ground is lifting, i'd say the roots are knacked!

 

v hard to really be conclusive without seeing it in the flesh- prob best getting someone local to give you a bit advice