Should I have this Norway Maple removed?

[masstrees]

Hello everyone,

I have a norway maple that appears to be experiencing some rotting. I moved into the house 3 years ago and have been keeping an eye on the tree and it doesn't appear to be getting worse but who knows I suppose.

I've attached some photos of the trunk and what appears to be a crack along the back of the tree. I'd appreciate any advice, thank you!

 

[ATH]

Certainly worth having a qualified risk assessor look at it in person, but the good is that there is a lot of strong response growth. From those pictures, the most concerning thing would be the branch that comes out of the top of the rotted area - looks to be poorly attached. I'd at least have that significantly reduced. I'd be hesitant to remove it and open up a fresh wound at the already rotted area.

 

[masstrees]

Thank you @ATH we have someone coming on Tuesday to take a look, fingers crossed!

It's a beautiful tree and the canopy is full and healthy as well so it'd be a shame to lose it.

 

[ATH]

Try to get a read on who is looking at it...do they make a living removing trees or helping maintain trees?

 

[lewwetzel]

Personally, I’d take it down and replace it with a nice sugar maple. Although technically not invasive, Norway maples are regarded as pretty much nothing but trouble around here. In a few years, a nice sugar will give the same or better canopy that should turn red in the fall, with fewer and smaller “helicopters” dropped, and IME less branch and root problems. Syrup, too if you’d like.