Hi all, I have a certified arborist coming to look at it, but I'd love a second opinion/thoughts so that I can be informed…
This is an old willow with about 5 large leaders. One is dead. No leaves, sloughing bark, vertical crack, already shedding up top. It's fall line is in the driveway. It's cracked in a way that starts to descend into the main trunk.
I'm assuming the leader has to go (for safety reasons), but I'd like to give the tree the best chance at survival. I'm assuming it should be cut just above the collar (see PURPLE line), but I'm concerned about the crack that extends below it (see ORANGE line and question mark).
I've included a bunch of pics to give a better perspective of the whole tree and the dead leader. The tree is probably about 70 feet tall?…
Does this seem like the best course of action? If the exposed cut reveals a descending crack into the trunk, is there a way to mitigate the open wound?
Thanks in advance, and any advice/thoughts are welcome!
by achildcoulddothis
6 Comments
I would seriously consider having a TRAQ arborist look at this tree. Those are some concerning cracks. Given its size, could be catastrophic if there are any targets.
Willows are not healthy trees. They are rarely healthy trees. They have tons of vascular problems due to included stems, disease prone, and weak wooded.
That said, there is nothing you cam do to a willow that will kill it. Nothing.
My recommendation as a certified arborist is to queue up Rihanna’s “S&M” before taking a saw to whatever needs to come off.
Willows are awesome. Sure, weak trees but I have seen a tornado suck my tree at 90 degrees and it’s 25 feet tall. It bounced back without issue. They grow fast, look beautiful and love wet feet. Perfect if you’re away from house/out buildings.
Best advise is to let willows grow in their natural environments. Your yard is not a natural environment. With willows you will have a lot of shedding branches, foul smells and a load of insects.
The tree needs to be removed. Willows are not lone lived and rot easily.
That is one sweet looking tree