Will this tree fall? (VIDEO INCLUDED) YOU OPINION WANTED!!

[treeclimber101]

In whose mindeye does a cable system even seem rational in this situation , there is no visible cracks in the crotch and how long would this system serve as support if the tree cracks at the base 3 seconds , so why do further damage to a tree with obvious numbered days. And furthermore even if you tested the decay and treated the tree I hardly doubt anyone in there right mind would ever say that tree is safe , so call it as it is , you want it keep it but what happens will happen and in my opinion the only safe thing for the HO is removal... Call me a hack but when your dealing with damaged trees near houses or in danger of hurting someone then remove it !

 

[treeclimber101]

Sometimes we are the undertaker and thats a tough decision to make but having a lawsuit on your hands is a little tough as well , and furthermore your offering your opinion backed by your experience and often a customer will ask me what would I do if this tree was at my house and guess what if that tree was towering over my yard then the chipper it would meet ..

 

[chewbacca]

Hopefully there will be some follow up comments after more qualified arborists visit the site and in the best case scenario the tree can be left there for a while. The HO must be inclined that way or this would not have lasted as long as it has (hunting and gathering investigative stage). Hopefully the neighbors involved are also on board with this attitude.

If some major buttress roots remain near the wound, decay has not progressed very much, there are no cracks in the stem, the primary pathogen/s are cultured and not found to be exceptionally virulent, the prevailing winds blow away from the houses involved, a cable system can mitigate the co dominant and other structural worries, the vigor and vitality of the tree is high, possibly there is a tree in the opposite direction from the houses that the tree might be anchored to. The HO and poss. with the help of neighbors can afford the treatments and monitoring costs.......then

the tree can stay around for a while longer. Isn't that really what all organisms are trying to do? Get in another day, then another?

My advice would also be to check insurance coverage in relation to tree damage and make sure of coverage in the event of failure. Like Guy said, any tree can fail and just because this tree has more issues than a less compromised tree does not make it a "must remove" in the ins. co.s eyes. I have had a multitude of trees over the years that were not perfect (none are) be covered when they slammed houses. The only MUST remove or lose coverage is obviously a totally dead tree.

Shigo was mentioned earlier along with the thought that even "experts" may be suspect in their ability to properly evaluate this situation. Shigo used to often muse as to the need for "specialists" in our profession that were credentialed. Tree risk evaluators, infectious disease specialists, root zone specialists, support systems experts, funding specialists, etc, etc, are some of what I imagine he would have in mind in this case. It might even be of some use in support of the tree staying to have the tree professionally evaluated as to a monetary value in relation to the property value.

This is a good post. You came off very arrogant to begin with and now you're actually educating us. I agree there is a time and place for all of the specialists you listed but as someone else pointed out, most of the time, that kind of work is too costly. It remains to be seen whether that's the case with this tree, and with this homeowner. Also, in this particular case, there is an extremely important (particularly to the homeowner) target involved. I would be much more likely to recommend expensive efforts to save the tree if this were not the case. As someone else pointed out, I don't think (and keep in mind we're discussing something we all only see on a small 2D computer screen) even after all the expensive efforts/precautions have been taken, that I would feel comfortable living under that tree. The risk/reward situation would be out of balance - for me. Perhaps the homeowner feels differently. That's one major piece of the puzzle we're all missing and anyone doing any kind of work for any customer has to be in touch with the desires of that customer, otherwise nothing done will be successful.

Oh and by the way, there is a HUGE difference between people and trees. To think any differently would lead to much more costly errors than anything tree work related.

Having said all this and having read the recent comments, I feel like this is a much more professional and friendly thread now. We all like learnin' stuff, right?.......... right?....................guys?

 

[treeclimber101]

This is a good post. You came off very arrogant to begin with and now you're actually educating us. I agree there is a time and place for all of the specialists you listed but as someone else pointed out, most of the time, that kind of work is too costly. It remains to be seen whether that's the case with this tree, and with this homeowner. Also, in this particular case, there is an extremely important (particularly to the homeowner) target involved. I would be much more likely to recommend expensive efforts to save the tree if this were not the case. As someone else pointed out, I don't think (and keep in mind we're discussing something we all only see on a small 2D computer screen) even after all the expensive efforts/precautions have been taken, that I would feel comfortable living under that tree. The risk/reward situation would be out of balance - for me. Perhaps the homeowner feels differently. That's one major piece of the puzzle we're all missing and anyone doing any kind of work for any customer has to be in touch with the desires of that customer, otherwise nothing done will be successful.

Oh and by the way, there is a HUGE difference between people and trees. To think any differently would lead to much more costly errors than anything tree work related.

Having said all this and having read the recent comments, I feel like this is a much more professional and friendly thread now. We all like learnin' stuff, right?.......... right?....................guys?

Of course when the instructor is actually teaching and not showing how smart he believes he is , and furthermore good post..

 

[Rftreeman]

this tree is like the last tooth I had pulled, I could have had it filled and it last a few years then have to have it fixed again and still end up having it removed a few years after that so I chose to nip it in the bud, get rid of it, have it removed.........same should happen to this tree....


The main thing is, who would put their reputation and money on the line to tell this person that tree is safe and will not fall and then it fall...........

 

[treeclimber101]

this tree is like the last tooth I had pulled, I could have had it filled and it last a few years then have to have it fixed again and still end up having it removed a few years after that so I chose to nip it in the bud, get rid of it, have it removed.........same should happen to this tree....

So how bad did it suck ripping out the last one?

 

[chewbacca]

So how bad did it suck ripping out the last one?

bawaahahahahahah!!!

 

[Rftreeman]

So how bad did it suck ripping out the last one?

didn't feel a thing, good medications...

 

[chewbacca]

didn't feel a thing, good medications...

I don't think he got it. I wish there were a one-toothed smiley face I could ad to this post.

 

[Rftreeman]

I don't think he got it. I wish there were a one-toothed smiley face I could ad to this post.

like people don't have their wisdom teeth taken out, I'm only missing two wisdom teeth so it isn't like I'm walking around toothless, if I was I'd have dentures so what else you got...........

 

[treeclimber101]

I don't think he got it. I wish there were a one-toothed smiley face I could ad to this post.

Stop, don't lose focus because of my kindergarten humor ... Back to the thread at hand..

 

[NCTREE]

I have a question for wecut. Wecut if you are still out there is their any sign of damage to the foundation of the house? That tree is an awful close to the house and being that it is an old house the foundation is probably not the greatest to begin with.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I have a question for wecut. Wecut if you are still out there is their any sign of damage to the foundation of the house? That tree is an awful close to the house and being that it is an old house the foundation is probably not the greatest to begin with.

If I remember right, the tree is on the top side of a retaining wall. I'm not going to watch that herky-jerky vid again, since I just had breakfast. I get motionsick from FPS games.

The roots were probably damaged when the wall went in/house was built.

 

[wecuttrees]

Hey John Paul Sanborn

Even back in 1941? would it take 68 years?

I asked her if possibly there was an "extension" put on the house at a later time, but she said no because all the floor plans of the houses on the street are the same.

Would that really be possible after 68 years? I am not "questioning" you in the sense of "you're wrong". Instead I am asking because I would have thought that it likely would have shown up faster than within 68 years.

Thanks

(a learning) Wecuttrees

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I would see it as a factor, not a primary factor. More size of root plate and other structural issues.

 

[treeseer]

Even back in 1941? would it take 68 years?

Absolutely. Construction damage is a slow killer because trees are programmed to resist, and also the damage can be hard to see. The bark may have been dead but hanging on for decades before shedding or showing signs of infection.

Have you popped off that monkey grass and done an RCX yet?

opcorn:

 

[treevet]

I would see it as a factor, not a primary factor. More size of root plate and other structural issues.

I agree with that opinion. Trees are not static entities. While a 24" diameter plant may be just fine with that available root zone from the base to the wall, a 36" or 40" (that it has grown to be) may not be comfortable with that space and all the associated baggage such as canopy size to supply and surprise occurrences such as whatever initiated this necrotic area and the demands on storage for defense and repair.

But we still just do not know how well this tree has performed in the compartmentalization category that will tell the tale of its future.