Question about bad forked tree

[psmith0803]

I was out trimming some tree's this weekend and I ran into this forked tree. The dead fork was over the fence and I removed it and then I cut the fork with a slight down angle where the two forks touch(be careful not to nick the good side). The fork is hollow and I realize the tree is probably dead but she did not want to take the whole tree down at this point. I was wondering what if any other options there were.

http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb423/psmith0803/IMG-20120714-001522.jpghttp://

On another note , is this the appropriate forum for these types of questions?

 

[ATH]

Looks like an ash?

Unless they want to dump a lot of money into treating for Emerald Ash Borer, (I'd question whether that tree is 'worth' treating...) it is not long for this world.

 

[Kottonwood]

I wouldn't have made the cut at a downward angle.... makes a larger wound. Otherwise no issues with trimming that off.


Let's not condemn the poor tree yet. (EAB)

 

[psmith0803]

I believe it's a post oak. I guess I was thinking by slanting water would run off, of course sense it's hollow that does not work well. It was also full of black carpenter ants. Could I fill the hollow up with something and then seal the top off to help slow the decay that is sure to follow?

On another note , this was the maiden voyage with my little bucket truck. I was really pleased overall, I had to rope down alot more than I wanted but I also did not have any issues. Right now I'm just helping friends and family (read no charge) and I really enjoyed the work we did Saturday.

I have been reading alot of threads and I have one more question. I've read the general rule of thumb of the high power lines is 10 foot minimum clearance. Is that measured in bucket to wires or limbs to wire? I've got a few limbs that are only a couple feet from the power line at the very fine end of the limb that I would like to remove. There is no chance of doing damage to the wires with the size of the limbs in question but they are most definitely closer than 10' where they currently hang.

Thanks for the advice and patience.

 

[ATH]

...Let's not condemn the poor tree yet. (EAB)

I am not sure how much ash there is in MO, but EAB is all over the eastern 2/3 of IL, and has been found in one MO county. I'd bet that it will be everywhere in the state within 3-5 years - or sooner.

(not relavant to this tree if I misidentifed it...but I would still not advise folks anywhere in the midwest to invest too much in ash trees unless they are going to treat when the time comes).

 

[Carburetorless]

Yep that looks like an Ash.

The leader on the left would probably be alright if it's not hollow, but the one on the right is done.

A good rule of thumb for pruning back limbs, if it's more than 4" dia. make the cut perpendicular to the branch, that way you'll leave a smaller wound than you would if you cut it down at an angle. Not a good idea to cut at a sharp angle on any limb BTW.

 

[no tree to big]

I believe it's a post oak. I guess I was thinking by slanting water would run off, of course sense it's hollow that does not work well. It was also full of black carpenter ants. Could I fill the hollow up with something and then seal the top off to help slow the decay that is sure to follow?

On another note , this was the maiden voyage with my little bucket truck. I was really pleased overall, I had to rope down alot more than I wanted but I also did not have any issues. Right now I'm just helping friends and family (read no charge) and I really enjoyed the work we did Saturday.

I have been reading alot of threads and I have one more question. I've read the general rule of thumb of the high power lines is 10 foot minimum clearance. Is that measured in bucket to wires or limbs to wire? I've got a few limbs that are only a couple feet from the power line at the very fine end of the limb that I would like to remove. There is no chance of doing damage to the wires with the size of the limbs in question but they are most definitely closer than 10' where they currently hang.

Thanks for the advice and patience.

so your telling me you went and bought a bucket truck to help out some friends and family??:monkey:

the 10 foot rule is technically any part of you, your truck, or the part of tree your working on

 

[psmith0803]

Thank's for the information. Just to be clear too, I understand what you are saying about pruning at angles. I only put an inch or so of angle on the right fork.

They are almost giving away bucket trucks down here. I looked at three and the people just kept calling lowering their price. I feel I could do the work I know I have and sell the truck and come out ahead. Plus I've always been the type of person who likes doing their own thing.

 

[thuffman7121]

Tell me where they are giving bucket trucks away. I can't seem to find a decently priced truck or towable lift. Where at in Missouri are you located?

 

[psmith0803]

I'm down in SouthWest Missouri, being a novice maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. When I looked at 3 different trucks they all called me over the course of 2 weeks lowering their prices by as much as 25% of asking.... that seems to be like a buyers market.

View attachment 245462

I ended up putting about 750 bucks into her. I did a full engine and hydraulic service and got 4 new recaps for the back.