I often recommend retaining trees this solid, tho in this tree signs of root issues abound. Seems to boil down to the same old story--free estimate->decision based on inadequate facts and bias of contractor. The client would have been a lot better off if your uncle sold her a consultation, and got to the (literal) bottom of the problem before action was contemplated.TreeJunkie said:Certainly 3/4 of the circumferance shows solid health flare.
Sure I'm biased, but it's still true. You get annual physical checkups (for which you are happy to pay your doctor), your teeth get semiannual checkups, people save on tree care if they get regular checkups.
You pay to get your car diagnosed by a qualified technician, etc...