Will this tree make it?

[seanlarkin]

Hey guys,
Right next to my apartment, there was a nice little lot of woods, which kinda separated the apartment complex from the main road. Just like every other lot of woods around here, there were cleared last week, making room for some pathetic sstrip mall or something. Kinda p'd me off, because I had planned on using that spot to take some pics for t he catalog. Anyway, back to the question. After they clearedd what they needed, there was still a little bit of trees left. Driving by, I noticed one in particular. It is a double-tree, (I'm not sure of the technical terms, so I'll explain further) as if two trees grew almost on top off eachother, so their bases are one, but the go off on their own a few feet up. I'd say that each trunk had 16-18" diameter. Here's the kicker, one of the two trees had been cut down. The cut was made about 2 feet up, and at that point, it was it's own trunk. What effect will this have on the remaining tree? And why (only heaven knows) would they only cut one down?
-Sean

 

[treeclimber165]

Developers tend to think in terms of clearances. They are used to thinking about driveway widths, building heights, etc. "Will this fit here" is typical. If the one half of the tree was blocking a driveway clearance, they figured they could cut off half and leave half. They don't think in terms of living trees or what will kill them. If the tree stays green until the tenant is occupying the building and the check clears, they are happy.

Double leader trees like that are typically not as structurally sound as a single leader tree. The narrow crotch and included bark make for a weaker tree. The other half may live fine, but will be bombarded with all the fungi and microorganisms feeding on the decaying portions of the other half. This is all presuming they all don't die from soil compaction and regrading.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

If the 2 trees where really 1; it could nutritionally shock it. Also, could have been scald layer for food producing leaves of the remaining lead.

If the other tree was providing some counter balance to the remaining tree, through a strong jointing especially, this could de-stabilize it.

If the jointing was so tight it could pinch a pencil, or blade of hand; the jointing would be structurally compromised for the grain would characteristically be running in 2 seperate vertical plates that could shear. If the bark ran inside, rather than curdling out this worsens this; as there is even less holding fiber. These types of joints can fail on a calm day. If you can lay the palm of your hand flat in the jointing, there is more support; for the grain runs horizontal, across holding as high as the joint goes; providing maximum natural structural strength .

You could make sure there are no pockets to collect rain and trash, and that cut is sloped for same reason. Also that as much of other tree is removed without getting into living tree. Hopefully dominant lead was left!

i was at a fight one day; and a hockey game broke out; ???? it was bloody!