The largest tree on my property is dying I think. Last year it didn't get many leaves and LARGE chunks of bark have been falling from it, I figured it was dead. This year, The tree is getting some leaves but bark is still falling, Can it be saved? is it worth saving?

Here are some pics takewn 5 minutes ago
http://www.fortjake.com/fte/DSCN0110.JPG

see how everything in the background is alot more filled out
http://www.fortjake.com/fte/DSCN0111.JPG

bark (for ID purposes)
http://www.fortjake.com/fte/DSCN0112.JPG

 

So cut it down

 

I dont want to if i dont have to...

 

Is it seeding a lot? Trees, or most plants in general, let loose as many seeds as they can as they die in an attempt to reproduce before they kick the bucket.

 

It might be best to cut it down. Or wait for a storm to blow it over. I am thinking it might be some sort of disease. Might be best to get it out of there before other tree become infected.

 

Well, all the pictures except the last one are pretty poor so it is hard to tell. I can not tell what kind of tree it is either. I can say this, any tree losing its bark is already a dead tree standing and infected with something.

Going by the first two pictures, it looks like storm damage was never fixed and that means water has been pouring down into the branches and then to the heart of the tree causing rot and hosting bugs.

The last picture looks like someone did not prune the tree correctly and from that point down the tree probably has heart rot and could split at any moment and fall apart. Or you could cut into it and get a nice smelly bath when the chain saw hits it.

In your area there is a quarantine because of emerald ash borer and other hardwoods besides ash (some elm) can host the insect. I think there is a Butternut disease active in the Ill/In/MI area too.

At least in the south, if the bark is falling off the tree you can usually find big black beatles around (rhino ones) under the bark eating big holes through the diseased wood. Which is why the bark falls off.

If it is EAB, you need to tell the local disease control so it can be properly disposed of so it does not spread. If it is infected, it is illegal to move it from where it sits.

 

The Best Thing To Do Is Call Your County Agricultrue Ext. Agent If You Have One In Your State. Most Will Come By And Give You There Educated Opinion On What To Do. First Thing Is To Try And I.d. The Type Of Tree As Different Types Put On There Leaves At Different Times On The Season. The Fact That Its Putting On Its Leaves In The Spring Of The Year Means There's Still Life In It And It Would Be Would Be Many Years Before Another Tree Would Grow To That Size If You Were To Cut It Down. Trees Are Beautiful.

 

yea, I know, I wanna save it if i can. I'll try and snap some better pics

 

I know nothing of tree diseases but I would check the local laws before I cut it down. Some areas require you to secure a permit to cut your own tree down. I hear fines for not getting the permit can be very stiff.

 

Well, from the shape of the tree and from the looks of the last picture it appears to be a Silver Maple. A nice tree when pruned/trimmed properly. In the last picture you have a hole in the tree which would indicate that in that area of the tree there is some internal rot/decay.

From the size of that tree it is probably near the end of it's life span. I had the exact same tree in the front of my house and last year in the middle of the summer (July or so) all the leaves just fell off in about a week. The bark started falling off and the tree was dead. The City came and cut it down a couple months ago. It was hit by lightning.

I would say get an Arborist (preferably an ISA certified one) to come out and take a look at it. You can MAYBE crown reduce it (DO NOT TOP IT!) to save it but it will probably be dead soon.

That is all I can tell you from the pictures you have so far. Maybe I can give you more info if you take some more pictures.

Oh and by the way, my Dad owns a tree company for over 25 years. I worked for him for 13 years (since I was 11) until last year when I started having back problems. So, I am not just some guy feeding you a line.

-Matt

 

I work for a buddy on most weekends at his tree service and the last picture to me the hole could mean the base is hollow and that the tree is pretty close to it's last legs. If the base is hollow it will make it so a tree cutter will not be able to climb it to bring it down what will happen if they climb it to cut it is the offset of weight when it is cut and the tree could split and bring the cutter down in a fast way . An average healthy tree drinks 55 gallons a day. The main water source the heart of the tree.if it's rotted to the point it's not drinking enough it will not produce many leaves and limbs ans branches will rot and drop off. When looking at the base of the tree is there small holes with rich black dirt? if so that means the present of ant's eating it away. If you call someone to bring it down make sure they are licensed and fully insured. Ask for a certificate of insurance. They call thier insurance cmpany and the insurance cmpany sends you a certificate stating that thye have insurance and that it is current. This covers any and all property damage that may happen. We have seen to many people, that have had to sue the contractor for property damage because they were non-insured. we called in to do the clean up. Make sure you have it in writing everything they are to preform I.E. just cut and drop or cut, drop and chip they brush or cut and remove all. If you need fill the chips make good fill, next year it will be good mulch.Sorrry for being long winded.

 

Thank both of you for the info, aand Matt, I knew you were a tree guy, I was hoping you'd stop in here

 

Does it have red buds in the spring? Almost looks like a swamp maple. If the bark is falling off that is a serious problem. The bark is the "skin" of the tree, and all life in the tree flows just under the bark. Every wound to the bark causes alot of stress to the tree. You could have an arborist trim it back, and remove as much damaged wood as you can, and hope for the best. I have seen half dead-looking trees spring back into full healthy trees after a good cutting back. My neighbors have some beautiful trees, and they are keeping them alive by having an arborist come out twice a year to spray the trees. I forget what the problem is, but I know the trees have some sort of deadly bug in them, and they need constant attention.
I just cut down/topped some trees, I had various reasons for removing or topping each tree, but was sad to see any of them cut. I understand and sympathize.

 

Bushy has the best advice. I love trees and have just planted another 2000 doug. fir and starting around 5000 cedar (western red). I have also started jonna gold, red delicious, and granny smith from seed that will be going to the nursery this year.

If you have a problem with a tree, call the extension agent and report it. It could be a problem for all trees in your area and remember, the tree you save, may be your own.

 

From the looks of the knot in the last picture, do get it checked out soon. A holllow tree is not a stable tree, although I have seen them last for years.

Is it close to your house or a street or any other property it could fall on?

There was a rather unhappy fellow posting on here about 2 years ago that was driving down a city street when hollow tree decieded to fall on his new Super Duty.

I love trees more than most people, but the safety of people and property takes priority over any tree.

I am starting to take a serious look at some of the 100 foot plus locust, oak and cherry trees surrounding my house.