Maple Tree Best Trim Options - Arborists?

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Yellowbeard

ArboristSite Operative
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I'm usually over on the milling forum but came over here to ask advice of any professional arborists who might be around. I saw this tree in someone's back yard and went to see if I could possibly mill it. The woman who owns it said that would be fine.

As you can see from the images, one part is still alive but the majority is not. Is there any way to remove the large section and leave the rest so that it will have a chance to survive? My concern is that a great deal of the tree will be unprotected by bark after that point. Anyone have any ideas?

The woman is ok with the whole thing coming down if necessary but would prefer to keep the live part if possible.

Thanks in advance!

IMG_4489 small.JPG IMG_4490 small.JPG IMG_4493 small.JPG
 
Lol those are just new sprouts growing on there, it looks like some hacks got paid up front and 3/4 removed it and never came back.
 
KenJax, you're exactly right.

ATH, it should just all go? That's the only real choice? That works best for me because I could mill the whole thing then but I was going to try and save it for her if I could.

Thanks for responses.
 
Removal is the best choice....I wouldn't say only choice. You could leave it, but it is already ugly and cutting half off will make it even more unbalanced. See all those fungal fruiting bodies on the trunk...the whole thing is rotting. I am not saying it is in danger of falling now (not saying it isn't either...), but it is not going to be a good strong tree into the future. The sooner that one is gone, the sooner she can plant another to never be topped again.
 
Concur with ATH, you're better off to remove it for her and replace it with a new tree. What you would be retaining would be ugly and would never become nice no matter how she looked after it.
 
Thanks for the advice. I'll let her know. Guess I'll have to get out the big bar and cut it down for her.
 
Thanks for the advice. I'll let her know. Guess I'll have to get out the big bar and cut it down for her.
Can you say that without a smile? Better practice in the mirror. Looks like good milling fun. Enjoy and post pics of finished product.
 
Yeah, it does make me feel a little weird that it's exactly what I wanted... I guess I'll have to do my best. She said it was totally ok if the whole thing had to come down, and I will be doing it for "free."
 
I'm hoping it will be spalted but was planning to make it into table tops. What shapes do I cut it into to make turning blanks and then to whom do I sell it? And how big?
 
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