Maple Leader problems?

[mikeyman13]

I am somewhat new to trees and my family and I just moved into a new home. In our front yard is some variety of a maple. The owner said it is about five years old. As you can see from the pictures, the tree has a few difficulties to work through, but instead of starting over, I wanted to see if me and this tree could work things out.

1. From the pictures do I have a "V-Styled" leader problem? I understand from certain posts on this forum that "U-Styled" leaders are OK; however, I am not sure that is the case when there are 4 of them. If these leaders need attention, what are some suggestions on which ones should go and how I get the resulting leader to point straight up?

2. The trunk damage seems to be healing nicely. I am not sure what happened, but I am letting nature run its course here. Agree?

3. Should I give up on this tree or will it be tall and strong in 10 years if properly corrected?

I hate to go get a new tree that is "perfect" when this one has so much character. But I don't want to have long term problems with it either.

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Thanks for any thoughts.

- Mike

 

[russhd1997]

My recommendation is to cut it down. The way that the crown is forked at the top is a weak spot that will split when the branches get heavy enough. Another weak spot is the trunk. I can already see rotting there that goes to the heart. A hollow tree won't live long.

 

[Chud]

I second that. Find a red maple with a strong central leader and no trunk damage.

 

[mikeyman13]

I appreciate the input. I was hoping not to have to start over with a new tree (don't want to spend $750 or so on a well developed replacement), but it beats the option of having trouble down the line and having to start over then....

- Mike

 

[Chud]

A 2-2.5" caliper Red Maple should not cost 750 unless you are paying someone else to buy and install the tree.