The tree is in clear decline. It's not showing any compartmentalization of the crack or response growth. I don't think the tree has the vitality to do it anymore. If the crack goes down into the co-dominate union/split, it could make this tree quite unstable. Co-dominate splits are where trees are especially vulnerable. Especially if water and subsequently rot are getting into this union destabilizing it. It could make the tree split in half.
I'd have an arborist come out and have them give it a complete inspection.
I’d be concerned with the inclusion and decay visible in the Union of the codominant stems. You can’t tell a lot from pictures, but those would be my main concern on a Norway maple. I don’t think the guy is wrong that it’s a good candidate for removal, but I would certainly still get an actual arborist out there. Definitely not Lightning strikes.
Lightning strikes??? Uh, no. Those look very, very different, like someone placed small explosives just inside the bark up and down the tree. Or sometimes they just flat out explode and leaving nothing but a smoking pile of branches. Either way, it’s unmistakable, and you’d KNOW instantly what happened, you wouldn’t need an arborist. I speak from experience here. More likely caused by rot and the tree’s structure starting to break down. Ultimately probably doesn’t matter for the tree in the end, he is most likely correct that it may need to be taken down but the fact that this guy is telling you that is a HUGE red flag. I’d definitely bring in an actual arborist and don’t contact this person again. I wouldn’t trust him not to drop that tree on your house or the wires. Power company might be a good option too if it threatens their lines, they might do it for free. After you get it checked out by someone who knows what they’re actually doing of course.
Once you know what’s actually going on I’d leave him a review. Who knows what else this guy is coming up with and people are falling for.
Old lightning strike on the inside of the further back lead. You can see the travel line and curling as well as a large open portion of decay leading to the union. This would be considered a core strike and can be very detrimental to the stability of the tree especially as the decay advances.
tree does have issues and should be looked over by an actual arborist, don't let people mound soil or debris next to your tree idk how they intend to get that out but I bet wounding the stem or roots is part of the plan, that's simply a mature tree not necessarily massive.
If the health is ok cabling and some pruning on the house side would mitigate that big included base. Less sure of the aparrent dead spots along the stem. Def get an arborist to check it out.
Also I hope there wasnt excavation in the root zone with that big mound of soil there. That could be contributing to decline if the soil is compacted and smothering the roots.
If they're going to be cleaning all that soil up with machinery there's going to be even more stress on the tree from soil compaction and possible damage to the large surface roots when they try scraping the soil to as close to the previous grade as possible. The tree looks like it already has some issues and compacting the soil in the root zone isn't going to be doing it any favours.
The "excavation" is not well away from the tree. There's like 5 yards of top soil mounded at the base. It's kind of hard to believe that's from some footers. Either way, that needs to be moved ASAP.
Looks like some pretty nasty structure that may be fixable with cables and bolts but Id have to see the back side. Honestly a big Norway with structure like that is a potential hazard without intervention. But it doesnt look like it was lightning strike.
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Put a steel bracing rod thru the split or static cable to the main stems.
However I’d be far more worried about what’s going on with that huge pile of dirt. Is someone excavating in the TPZ? That will kill your tree/ cause it fall quicker then some alleged lightning strike.
Idk man. What does this tree mean to YOU!?
Does it have any redeeming qualities in your life? It will be a large hole created in your yards shade/aesthetic pov.
It doesnt look like many hazards present other than the obvious truck which can be moved...
Looks like it might be at the end of your drive abutting the road, based on the location of the service lines. Is that correct? Seems that it may fall, but a cable and some reduction could be all thats needed to keep it crushin and meet the management standards given its lower risk to targets
Norway maples are ubiquirtous with urban settings and other poor spots the like. They are great compartmentalizers, while growing rapidly and failing easily. With management those suckers can last a long ass time in the landscape. Lots to consider but given the situation maybe just do the bare minimum. Ya bolts might help but the problems pretty severe maybe dont invest too much hardware into loving it to death unless you want to write a blank check. Maybe pickup a chainsaw too incase a storm does it take it out, but unless you cut down every tree on your property that is just the life with trees we have.
I would never trust a door to door removal guy tossin quotes. Too hungry for work to sustain their machine or trying to start out (sadly with the wrong motivation to remove them all). Maybe i would trust a door to door preservation specialist that has the gall to say they can save my tree. It would at least perk up my ear a bit more.
Call an arborist who advertises preservation work.
Cheers
Doesn't seem that bad to me and one section of the tree is smaller than the other - whichever is the smallest section of the split is most likely going to be the part that falls away.
In any case you should consult a TRAQ arborist if you are really concerned about. "Tree companies" will generally prefer to just cut your tree down and be done with it
What's your capability? When it leafs out, cut out the dead branches. Eventually you'll be done. It's not likely to just snap over any time soon. Even when it's completely dead if will still drop branches a bit at a time. Ask your power company to take a look and remove anything that is threatening the power line. If they don't think it's a threat, it's probably not.
The tree is in clear decline. It's not showing any compartmentalization of the crack or response growth. I don't think the tree has the vitality to do it anymore. If the crack goes down into the co-dominate union/split, it could make this tree quite unstable. Co-dominate splits are where trees are especially vulnerable. Especially if water and subsequently rot are getting into this union destabilizing it. It could make the tree split in half. I'd have an arborist come out and have them give it a complete inspection.
I’d be concerned with the inclusion and decay visible in the Union of the codominant stems. You can’t tell a lot from pictures, but those would be my main concern on a Norway maple. I don’t think the guy is wrong that it’s a good candidate for removal, but I would certainly still get an actual arborist out there. Definitely not Lightning strikes.
My biggest concern is all that soil next to the tree
Yeah, don't play with the trees soil depth!
The tree is going to fail but it's not from lightning damage. That split will certainly lead to one of the stems failing at some point
Well--obviously this guy wants $3,300 so he can't be trusted. Get an arborist if unsure.
Lightning strikes??? Uh, no. Those look very, very different, like someone placed small explosives just inside the bark up and down the tree. Or sometimes they just flat out explode and leaving nothing but a smoking pile of branches. Either way, it’s unmistakable, and you’d KNOW instantly what happened, you wouldn’t need an arborist. I speak from experience here. More likely caused by rot and the tree’s structure starting to break down. Ultimately probably doesn’t matter for the tree in the end, he is most likely correct that it may need to be taken down but the fact that this guy is telling you that is a HUGE red flag. I’d definitely bring in an actual arborist and don’t contact this person again. I wouldn’t trust him not to drop that tree on your house or the wires. Power company might be a good option too if it threatens their lines, they might do it for free. After you get it checked out by someone who knows what they’re actually doing of course. Once you know what’s actually going on I’d leave him a review. Who knows what else this guy is coming up with and people are falling for.
Thanks for your thorough reply!
Old lightning strike on the inside of the further back lead. You can see the travel line and curling as well as a large open portion of decay leading to the union. This would be considered a core strike and can be very detrimental to the stability of the tree especially as the decay advances.
tree does have issues and should be looked over by an actual arborist, don't let people mound soil or debris next to your tree idk how they intend to get that out but I bet wounding the stem or roots is part of the plan, that's simply a mature tree not necessarily massive. If the health is ok cabling and some pruning on the house side would mitigate that big included base. Less sure of the aparrent dead spots along the stem. Def get an arborist to check it out.
Definitely needs to go soon rather than later. I would get more quotes
The canopy looks healthy enough, I'd say it's a good candidate for cabling to help prevent the tree splitting in half in a major weather event
Also I hope there wasnt excavation in the root zone with that big mound of soil there. That could be contributing to decline if the soil is compacted and smothering the roots.
The excavation is well away from the tree -- just 3ft footers dug. They just happened to pile the dirt there which will be moved in a week
If they're going to be cleaning all that soil up with machinery there's going to be even more stress on the tree from soil compaction and possible damage to the large surface roots when they try scraping the soil to as close to the previous grade as possible. The tree looks like it already has some issues and compacting the soil in the root zone isn't going to be doing it any favours.
The "excavation" is not well away from the tree. There's like 5 yards of top soil mounded at the base. It's kind of hard to believe that's from some footers. Either way, that needs to be moved ASAP.
Looks like some pretty nasty structure that may be fixable with cables and bolts but Id have to see the back side. Honestly a big Norway with structure like that is a potential hazard without intervention. But it doesnt look like it was lightning strike.
Welcome to r/arborists! Help Us Help You: If you have questions about the health of your tree, please see our [Posting Guidelines](https://old.reddit.com/r/arborists/wiki/posting_guidance) wiki page for help with effective posting. **Please answer the questions listed there to the best of your ability.** ***Insufficient pics/info could result in the removal of your post!!*** ([See rule 3](https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/about/rules).) Visit the main wiki page for [Critical Planting/Care tips and Common Errors to Avoid](https://old.reddit.com/r/arborists/wiki/index); there's sections on why planting depth/root flare exposure is so vital, along with sections on proper mulching, watering, pruning and more that I hope will be useful to you. If you're posting about a tree ID (not permitted here; [see rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/about/rules)), see that wiki page for other subs and smartphone apps to try. Here is how you can arrange a [consult with a local ISA arborist in your area](http://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist) (NOT a 'tree company guy' unless they're ISA certified) or a [consulting arborist](https://www.asca-consultants.org/search/custom.asp?id=3818) for an on-site evaluation. A competent arborist should be happy to walk you through how to care for the trees on your property and answer any questions. If you're in the U.S. or Canada, your Extension (or master gardener provincial program) may have a list of local recommended arborists on file. If you're in the U.S., you should also consider searching for arborist associations under your state. If you are one of our regulars and/or you work in the industry and do not want this message in your future posts, please pick an appropriate user flair (options available in the sub sidebar on PC, and on moble if using a browser). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/arborists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Put a steel bracing rod thru the split or static cable to the main stems. However I’d be far more worried about what’s going on with that huge pile of dirt. Is someone excavating in the TPZ? That will kill your tree/ cause it fall quicker then some alleged lightning strike.
Idk man. What does this tree mean to YOU!? Does it have any redeeming qualities in your life? It will be a large hole created in your yards shade/aesthetic pov. It doesnt look like many hazards present other than the obvious truck which can be moved... Looks like it might be at the end of your drive abutting the road, based on the location of the service lines. Is that correct? Seems that it may fall, but a cable and some reduction could be all thats needed to keep it crushin and meet the management standards given its lower risk to targets Norway maples are ubiquirtous with urban settings and other poor spots the like. They are great compartmentalizers, while growing rapidly and failing easily. With management those suckers can last a long ass time in the landscape. Lots to consider but given the situation maybe just do the bare minimum. Ya bolts might help but the problems pretty severe maybe dont invest too much hardware into loving it to death unless you want to write a blank check. Maybe pickup a chainsaw too incase a storm does it take it out, but unless you cut down every tree on your property that is just the life with trees we have. I would never trust a door to door removal guy tossin quotes. Too hungry for work to sustain their machine or trying to start out (sadly with the wrong motivation to remove them all). Maybe i would trust a door to door preservation specialist that has the gall to say they can save my tree. It would at least perk up my ear a bit more. Call an arborist who advertises preservation work. Cheers
Doesn't seem that bad to me and one section of the tree is smaller than the other - whichever is the smallest section of the split is most likely going to be the part that falls away. In any case you should consult a TRAQ arborist if you are really concerned about. "Tree companies" will generally prefer to just cut your tree down and be done with it
What's with the giant pile of soil
This looks like frost crack -- not a lightning strike. Are the cracks facing southwest? Someone mentioned it was a norway maple; is that correct?
I don't see this as a massive tree. I suggest getting another estimate. It is easily accessible.
What's your capability? When it leafs out, cut out the dead branches. Eventually you'll be done. It's not likely to just snap over any time soon. Even when it's completely dead if will still drop branches a bit at a time. Ask your power company to take a look and remove anything that is threatening the power line. If they don't think it's a threat, it's probably not.