Oak Tree Questions with Pics

[STLfirewood]

I was called to look at a tree. The guy is worried because if it falls it hits his bedroom and his neighbors house. As you can see the tree is cracked. The tree has been cabled. He asked me if it was safe. He has been told different things by different tree companies. I was told the tree blooms full. What do you guys think based on the pictures. I don't want to sell a removal if it's not needed. It's a very nice tree and as we know it wont grow like this over night.


Thanks Scott

 

[STLfirewood]

More pics

Scott

 

[treevet]

Where are the targets if any? Any rodding done? Can we see a pict of the canopy in leaf?

This all could have been avoided preemptively with a routine consultation by a qualified arb. earlier in the tree's life.

 

[treevet]

This connection looks suspicious.

 

[STLfirewood]

I have pictures of the canopy but they are to big to load. I had my camera on the lowest setting but it was still to big. If someone knows how to re-size I would be glad to send them the pictures. I don't have pics of the tree in full bloom. I think he has been in the house for 3 years and it was cabled before then.

Scott

 

[teamtree]

It appears as if the cabling was not backed up by tree rods. I believe this is in the ANSI standards for cabling.

I would say the tree is good to go, if you put the rods in to back up the cables.

Are the cables placed correctly?

What is the owners stance if you tell him the cable and rods only reduce the risk and do not eliminate it?

If it worries them, sell the removal. You can plant another tree. Once they plant you, well.....

From picture #2....I may change my mind.

What is the distance of the targets? Is there real danger of crushing either house? Or just exterior damage?

 

[treevet]

I have pictures of the canopy but they are to big to load. I had my camera on the lowest setting but it was still to big. If someone knows how to re-size I would be glad to send them the pictures. I don't have pics of the tree in full bloom. I think he has been in the house for 3 years and it was cabled before then.

Scott

You can send them to me Scott or just go to paint, (go to file...then open... to get to your picts) ....then hit image....then stretch and skew .....then reduce each way 25% then hit save.

 

[Lawnmowerboy48]

As treevet pointed out the on cable connection looks a little shady. If you are questioning the cabling it should be replaced. The tree should also have some rods put in it as well. BMP.

 

[fishercat]

i tell folks i can't forcast the future.

if they want it down for piece of mind,that is their call.i ask them if they want to know what i would do in their situation.if they say yes,i tell them.

i do removals for a livingand i have tried on several occasions to talk folks out of removing their tree/trees.it doesn't always work but i try.

i agree,i do not trust those cables.looks like a hack grab the money and run job from here.

 

[STLfirewood]

I don't know anything about cabling so I can't tell you if they are placed correctly. I told him that I thought as log as it was blooming full that he shouldn;t have a problem. I told him it was really up to what he felt comfortable with. I also told him it was a little beyond me and I would take some pictures and see what I could find out.

Scott

 

[STLfirewood]

Ok I got one to resize but for some reason the other won't.

If half the tree splits off and falls a complete bedroom is toast. The neighbor would just get decent damage.

 

[STLfirewood]

Thanks for the help Dave I got the other one to resize.


Thanks Scott

 

[treevet]

Thanks for the help Dave I got the other one to resize.


Thanks Scott

Good job Scott. Did my instructions help out? Did it from memory and my memory ain't that good anymore.

Nice canopy. Hopefully the limbs are in strategic positions to benefit from cabling. Sometimes cabling can exacerbate a fault in structure (maybe even caused the extensive split on one side when the other is negligible. The rodding is compulsory if the tree is to remain and you are involved for liability protection.

 

[gr8scott72]

I have pictures of the canopy but they are to big to load. I had my camera on the lowest setting but it was still to big. If someone knows how to re-size I would be glad to send them the pictures. I don't have pics of the tree in full bloom. I think he has been in the house for 3 years and it was cabled before then.

Scott

Go get a free photobucket.com account. Upload them there. Photobucket will automatically resize for you. Then just copy the link in your post here.

This way you can leave your pictures at the higher resolution on your computer in case you ever need them that way and have the smaller photo to show from photobucket.

Added bonus; you don't have to upload pictures again if you want to show them somewhere else on the internet.

(There sure are a lot of Scotts on here.)

 

[Behemoth Jim]

if they want it down for piece of mind,that is their call.i ask them if they want to know what i would do in their situation.if they say yes, i tell them.

i do removals for a livingand i have tried on several occasions to talk folks out of removing their tree/trees. it doesn't always work but i try.

Yes I agree, Fisher.

It may be different in other parts of the country, but here, if the tree is in any way suspicious, dangerous, marginal, etc. I would never tell someone to leave it. Never mind whether we get the job or not. Trees are far more replaceable than people. Yes, I hate to see a healthy tree be removed for no reason, but I've almost never seen "no reason." A good enough reason to get rid of a tree is if it provides too much shade, or if the home owner just doesn't want it there. They're expendable. Around here, they grow faster than you can cut them. I'm not sure what species of oak that is-- looks like a member of the greater red oak family-- but my advice about most oaks is to remove them and plant something better. Not so for members of the white oak family-- white oaks, post oaks, burr oaks, overcup oaks, etc are a much stronger and safer tree. For trees within possible strike distance of a house you need to be very careful about your species selection. Around here most trees grow 1/2" to 1" diameter per year when enjoying the benefits of lawn fertilizer and room to sprawl-- they get dangerous in a hurry.

I've seen far too many examples of trees that seemed perfectly healthy coming down in wind or ice storms, and smashing houses. Our neighbor's young daughter narrowly escaped death. When it doubt, take it out.

 

[treeseer]

Lawn and vet have it right--it needs bracing. Cables too small too low and spaced wrong--lags need to be a foot apart. Spend $10 on the BMP and find a place to rent a drill and practice tree care; it's really very easy.

I live next door to the poster below. This fearmongering is far from true, and sounds like the voice of inexperience. Ever cabled a tree, BJ?

A good enough reason to get rid of a tree is if it provides too much shade, or if the home owner just doesn't want it there. They're expendable. Around here, they grow faster than you can cut them. I'm not sure what species of oak that is-- looks like a member of the greater red oak family-- but my advice about most oaks is to remove them and plant something better. When it doubt, take it out.

 

[tomtrees58]

yup need rod work not 1 but 6 to 8 on the trunk but a tree that big next to house think removal we do tom trees

 

[Behemoth Jim]

I live next door to the poster below. This fearmongering is far from true, and sounds like the voice of inexperience. Ever cabled a tree, BJ?

I have not but my boss has cabled some. His philosophy is to tell the home owners what can be done, give them options, and let them decide. In which case, we're more than happy to take one out if that's what they want and we don't lose any sleep over it. I believe in keeping good healthy trees around when they aren't causing any problems. There's no shame to removing a tree.

Our most recent job was taking out seven mature sweetgums around a guy's new swimming pool. (he should have had them taken out before he put the pool in, but that's hindsight).

I will say I grieve a little bit when we have to take out a healthy specimen of a tree native to the area but uncommon, such as walnut, etc. but most of our work comes from about seven types-- sweetgum, bradford pear, water oak, red oak varieties, white oak, yellow pine varieties, and maybe cherry. tulip tree, or cedar occasionally. Other trees rarely cause problems. We did take down three hickories lately because the ho was tired of dealing with the nuts. Bully for us-- some good firewood to sell.

Trees are very fast growers. Even a redwood will grow to 180 feet in 50 years. (not here). We took down a 90-100 ft water oak recently that was only about 80 years old and about 40" abh. That's half an inch per year.

If the ho wants it cabled, by all means do so. It's their tree, it's their call. Leave them safe.

 

[Behemoth Jim]

yup need rod work not 1 but 6 to 8 on the trunk but a tree that big next to house think removal we do tom trees

 

[Behemoth Jim]

LOL!

Sounds like the Hatfields and McCoys!


Are you bringing home tree seeds and spreading them in his yard? I would!

I don't think this guy knows me and I don't have any tree workers living right next door to me. I think he means he lives in my area. I don't mind if he spreads tree seeds in my yard, my sheep will eat them faster than they can grow. They love maple, oak, cherry, and sweetgum leaves especially.