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Started by Atlasrising, March 24, 2005, 11:21:39 PM

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Atlasrising

 Hey everyone.!! I;m new here. And i don;t know where else to go at the moment and would like some insight into a situation.
I have a huge Butterut tree.  One big trunk, then about 4 feet up it splits into two really huge branches. One branch leans towards my house. it recently occured to me that if water keeps settling in the crotch of these two branchs that decay might cause this one limb to fall..
yeah, i;m my house.

So far it looks very healthy, but i am looking for ways to prevent water from collecting and causing decay. Are they methods or materials out there that can help with this problem? Does anyone know where i could find information regarding a procedure like this?  What branch of science deals with tree and plant maintenance like this?

Starting with next rain fall, i;m going to really keep it clean and dry, no leaves or debris. But i thought about putting wax or clay in there for added protection... any thoughts?   thanks for reading and thanks for replying..... ac.!

Ianab

Hi Atlas and welcome to the forum.

Thats an arboriculture sort of question, and I'm not an arborist.
This has never stopped me answering question though  ;) :D

So long as the bark in the join is intact then the tree should stay healthy and decay should not be able to get a foothold in the wood.  If the bark is not intact (like a large branch has been removed) then you have a potential problem. Water getting into the underlying wood and causing decay.

Putting anything in the crotch is a bad idea, it will just create a better environmment for critters and decay to attack the tree. Cleaning the leaves and rubbish so the area stays drier is probably a good idea, but dont damage the bark doing it.

Best option would be to get a Qualified Arborist to check the tree and advise you. Make sure the arborist is trained and qualified, not just some guy with a chainsaw looking for his next tree removal job  :o

Cheers

Ian
Weekend warrior, Peterson JP test pilot, Dolmar 7900 and Stihl MS310 saws and  the usual collection of power tools :)

tnlogger

welcom to the forum  Atlas pretty much like Ianab told you. :)
gene

iain

Dont listen to the last two replys, you  "NEED"  to fill that crotch with concrete, bits of iron, stones, porclin insulaters, and just let that baby grow around them, just ready for some future sawyer to find ::) :D (infact miss out the iron as it will show up on a scanner)

there aint much you can do cept clean it out with your hands


welcome aboard



                    iain

tnlogger

 :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
gene

Fraxinus

In January of 1998, we had a bad ice storm in northern New England, New York and Quebec.  I was lucky in that my own property escaped the devastation.  But, knowing that next time I might not be so lucky, I looked at the huge red maple tree in front of my house with crotches like you describe, and took it down at the first opportunity.  Half of it was leaning right toward my bedroom.
V-shaped crotches are bad, Bad, BAD.  Take care of it now before it takes care of you.  If it is more of a U-shape, it's a lot stronger and will probably be all right.
Personally, I no longer will allow any tree to grow near enough to my house that has the potential to do damage.  I certainly would never have limbs from a tree OVER my house, especially pine, which is one of the nastiest of all.  I have seen way too many examples of what a tree can do to a house.
Grandchildren, Bluegrass music, old tractors, trees and sawmills.  It don't get no better'n that!

maple flats

Fraxinus is right in my opinion. Get rid of the potential danger before it gets rid of you. Even though you want to save the tree, your life or that of someone you love is not worth it. The tree sounds like a pro definately should be the one to take it down, make sure they have experience, the right equipment and a certificate of insurance showing that they are covered and your property would be included. After it is down, get a good sawyer in your area to saw it into some fine lumber. Ask the sawyer what lengths to cut before it is taken down and so instruct the removal company.
Do not try to save it. Get another new favorite tree! :) 8) View the thread on this forum called "who's cutting your trees" under forestry and logging section.
logging small time for years but just learning how,  2012 36 HP Mahindra tractor, 3point log arch, 8000# class excavator, lifts 2500# and sets logs on mill precisely where needed, Woodland Mills HM130Max , maple syrup a hobby that consumes my time. looking to learn blacksmithing.

Bro. Noble

Welcome to the forum,

Are you aware that butternuts have a serious problem.  Most of ours are dying here in the Ozarks.  You don't say where you are located,  but You need to find out how the butternuts are faring in your area.  The health of butternuts in your area and of yours in particular should influence what you do.  If it's diseased,  better get it removed,  If it,s healthy and others in your area aren't,  contact your state forester.  He may want to get grafts from it.  Our local state forester asked me to watch for healthy specimens and let him know if I found any------I havn't.
milking and logging and sawing and milking

JJackson

Waht you have is a co-dominant tree, when one trunk splits into multiple trunks.  Could be a problem or could not be.  The problem with co-dominant stems is that the bark stays inbetween the two stems as they grow closer together and eventually make contact, and is called included bark.  The problem is the two stems really do not have a strong connection between them.  Each stem also receives different forces  cusing twisting and splitting.  If there is a crack and water is getting into it you could have some problems.  I do see a few pines that have failed because of the co-dominant stems.  If you are concerned have a professional arborist come to look at it, and they can discuss if there 's a problem and how to fix it.
BSc. FOR, Certified Arborist/Utility Specialist

Fraxinus

Bro. Noble, I neglected to mention the butternut canker.  I know it is a problem but, honestly, I can't say that I have ever seen it.
JJackson, your added information is something I should have mentioned also.  Thank you.  Co-dominant stems (the V-shaped crotch I mentioned in my post) are going to be trouble sooner or later.
Grandchildren, Bluegrass music, old tractors, trees and sawmills.  It don't get no better'n that!

JJackson

Fraxinus, yes the v crotches can be a problem sooner or later, though I have seen many trees die before they ever failed.  Cabling could reduce the hazard but does not eliminate the problem.  Talk to a local arborist, it is always bad to remove a tree when we dont have to, but then again your family's safety is top priority.
BSc. FOR, Certified Arborist/Utility Specialist

Lenny_M

If all else fails. butternut saws into nice lumber ;)
                                                       Lenny

Atlasrising

Wow.. you guys were so helpfull, all of you's. Thank you so much. I really hate to cut, and its not a problem so far. I'm definately going to keep it clean an dry as much as I can. I really needed to know the name of a professional in case i need one. Arborists. gto cha.. Thanks to you all again.!!!

ac

rebocardo

I would look at it as what is going to get crushed if/when the crotch fails and what type of construction is your house. A 6" branch coming down from 50 feet with 3,000+ pounds behind it will easily slice through a single story stick built (2x4) house top to bottom.  If you have a double brick walled house it will most likely stop at the top of the brick wall. Though the branches will go right through the roof and interior ceiling.  If you have a house with two story ballon wall construction, either trim the tree or remove it and do not take the chance.

The house I am in now had a tree fall over on it that was less then 8 feet away from the house. The brick stopped the tree before it could get enough speed, but, it still cracked the beam and rafters. I was not here when it happened. I am sure though if it had been a 36 inch white oak there would not have been much house left because the brush/top branches would have been high enough not to cushion the fall.

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