BillyB
ArboristSite Member
Firstly, I apologize for the quality of the photos. Conditions were somewhat difficult and I was not aware that quality was lacking until returning indoors. If you need better photos in order to respond, let me know what perspective you'd like and I'll try to get it for you.
The Tree - A large red oak in front of a window wall. A large limb dropped off a couple of days ago on a calm sunny morning. This is the 2nd large limb this tree lost. The first was a few years back in a storm. Besides just being a large red oak, the tree has additional value as its canopy shades the windows adding comfort in the summer's heat. Proximity to the windows also raises concern of breakage. If it was safe, we'd very much like to keep the tree but safety is questionable.
Question #1 - I'd be interested to learn whether you think it should come down because it is unsafe or be left up because it is still safe enough? Please share your confidence level, e.g. "plain as day obvious", "not very certain", etc....
Side view of recent break. (NE Perspective)
Upper part of tree with crown. Recent break is evident about 1/4 from bottom. Back of previous break is slightly noticeable at very bottom. (NE Perspective)
Full tree view just left of center. Building is 5 stories. I'd estimate tree height at about 80 feet and diameter at breast height around 30 inches. (NE Perspective)
Frontal view of recent and past break. The recent break is the dark brown one in front of the upper story of the building. The older one is light grey about halfway up the building. (S. Perspective)
Unfortunately, this is the best current photo I have at present to show you of the older lower break from the side. The tree is on the far right. (SW Perspective)
But here is a frontal view of the previous break when fresh three years back in July 2017. (S Perspective)
If the tree needs to come down, I'd probably fell it myself with a neighbor, a line, and a winch. The lay we are considering is to the south, directly away from the building, or the SW depending upon gear availability. The question of where to attach the line comes up. Having no climbing capability, I can either attach it over the limbs about 3/4 up the tree or as high as we can reach with my ladder, about 25 feet, perhaps between the two breaks. The leverage of the upper attachment is attractive but we're concerned that with an attachment well above the breaks the trunk might buckle at one of the breaks. The lower attachment would be made with a 3/8" cable and pulley system. My neighbor works in steel construction and says this will pull the weight despite the poor leverage. The concern is loss of control resulting from attaching the line well below the tree's center of gravity.
Question #2: Where do you recommend the line be attached?
Thank you in advance for your generous advice!
The Tree - A large red oak in front of a window wall. A large limb dropped off a couple of days ago on a calm sunny morning. This is the 2nd large limb this tree lost. The first was a few years back in a storm. Besides just being a large red oak, the tree has additional value as its canopy shades the windows adding comfort in the summer's heat. Proximity to the windows also raises concern of breakage. If it was safe, we'd very much like to keep the tree but safety is questionable.
Question #1 - I'd be interested to learn whether you think it should come down because it is unsafe or be left up because it is still safe enough? Please share your confidence level, e.g. "plain as day obvious", "not very certain", etc....
Side view of recent break. (NE Perspective)
Upper part of tree with crown. Recent break is evident about 1/4 from bottom. Back of previous break is slightly noticeable at very bottom. (NE Perspective)
Full tree view just left of center. Building is 5 stories. I'd estimate tree height at about 80 feet and diameter at breast height around 30 inches. (NE Perspective)
Frontal view of recent and past break. The recent break is the dark brown one in front of the upper story of the building. The older one is light grey about halfway up the building. (S. Perspective)
Unfortunately, this is the best current photo I have at present to show you of the older lower break from the side. The tree is on the far right. (SW Perspective)
But here is a frontal view of the previous break when fresh three years back in July 2017. (S Perspective)
If the tree needs to come down, I'd probably fell it myself with a neighbor, a line, and a winch. The lay we are considering is to the south, directly away from the building, or the SW depending upon gear availability. The question of where to attach the line comes up. Having no climbing capability, I can either attach it over the limbs about 3/4 up the tree or as high as we can reach with my ladder, about 25 feet, perhaps between the two breaks. The leverage of the upper attachment is attractive but we're concerned that with an attachment well above the breaks the trunk might buckle at one of the breaks. The lower attachment would be made with a 3/8" cable and pulley system. My neighbor works in steel construction and says this will pull the weight despite the poor leverage. The concern is loss of control resulting from attaching the line well below the tree's center of gravity.
Question #2: Where do you recommend the line be attached?
Thank you in advance for your generous advice!
