Sugar Maple Decay-recomendations

[Redbull]

Caution, pics are big to show detail. A customer asked me to look at this tree for them. I recommended removing the deadwood for starters and moving the plants away from the base of the tree. The decay looks like it started from old mechanical wounds. The customer has been at this property for two years and she installed the flower bed. She said there was grass all the way up to the tree when she started the bed. She killed the grass by piling grass clippings in the areas she wanted the flower bed. Is this type of decay typically fatal? Is there anything else I should do for this tree?
Thanks,
Brandon

 

[Redbull]

The last pic was a limb that was cut previously, but the cust. couldn't remember when.

 

[Dadatwins]

Typical decay in maples, they do not compartmentalize very well and usually they will rot out once injured as shown. Large cut will probably never close up either. Good start getting all the plants and debris from the base and see the extent of the decay. Top looks a little thin, so I suspect decay might be extensive. kind of decieving since trunk looks solid, root collar might be torn up. After making sure base is acceptable level of decay and tree is safe, start with some deadwood pruning and maybe reduce the weight on the longest limbs, long limbs on maples have a tendancy to split. What is located on the other side of the fence?

 

[Redbull]

I am going out Saturday to do the deadwood pruning. I didn't check the other side of the fence yet. I'll check it out Sat.

 

[treeseer]

After making sure base is acceptable level of decay and tree is safe, ?

Job #1 is always Root Collar Examination. get out a trowel and dig out that cavity and find out how hollow the tree is before you do anything else. Measure the depth and width, then post again. Check the entire circumference, both sides of fence!

Those hostas are still too close; if she wants to keep the tree she should enlarge that natural area; give the tree some room!

 

[Redbull]

She took my recomendation of moving her flowers away from the tree very well. She plans to move them. She's all about extending the planting bed. Bigger bed=less mowing. I did poke around a little at the base of the tree, but nothing extensive. It completely slipped my mind to check out the neighbors side of the fence. Should the holes in the leaves be a real concern? Thanks for the help, seems like I'm on the right track. I'll update Saturday afternoon when I get home.

 

[clearance]

The tree isn't really big enough to do major damage when it fails so clean it up and let it live for a few more years. Usually I say "saw it down" but a little mercy is o.k. here.