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.

 

[Mad Professor]

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!

If the rot extends up into where the two main forks are it could split there

 

[Del_]

I'd plant more trees.

 

[masstrees]

If the rot extends up into where the two main forks are it could split there

Thanks @Del_ we had another arborist come and he pointed out that rotted "crotch" area as well.

Looks like it'll have to come down

Maybe I can plant a nice fruit tree or a syrup maple like @lewwetzel mentioned!

 

[TNTreeHugger]

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.

Doesn't that look like two trees to you?

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Doesn't that look like two trees to you?

It is

 

[masstrees]

It is

Are you saying even though they share the same trunk it may be possible to salvage one part of the tree?

 

[masstrees]

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

The two people that came to look at it were from “tree services” so I suppose they make their money from bringing them down.

But I’m not sure who I’d call that prioritizes maintaining them as it seems they make more money from taking them down

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Are you saying even though they share the same trunk it may be possible to salvage one part of the tree?

No, they have grafted together

 

[ATH]

Doesn't that look like two trees to you?

I don't think so, but maybe. I'd want to see the back side of trunk - same position as the first picture. I think the trunk was damaged years ago - something scraping against it? Lightning? Bad freeze (is that facing the SW?)???

 

[ATH]

The two people that came to look at it were from “tree services” so I suppose they make their money from bringing them down.

But I’m not sure who I’d call that prioritizes maintaining them as it seems they make more money from taking them down

That doesn't mean they don't know what they are doing and doesn't mean they aren't being completely honest. May well be both knowledgeable and honest. But they also have a financial interest in the removal. On the other hand, a tree preservationist has a financial interest in you keeping the tree...which may cost more than removing it. But if you would prefer keep it, just make sure you have the best information.

Look for either Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Arborist (search by location, using zip code...then look at qualifications on right side of page) or a member of American Society of Consulting Arborists