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Posted by Earl@Greenwoodnursery.com on April 3, 2008, 11:58 am
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from an 80-ft tree, leaving a hole about 5-ft. diameter. Should I seal
this somehow?" RaDonna
ANSWER: It sounds as though your tree has experienced some pretty
significant damage and an older tree will have a difficult time of
repairing itself. At this time you may want to have an expert in your
area look at the tree to see if there is a chance it will be healthy
enough to do this. Check with your local agricultural extension agent,
your local conservation district office (also known as NRCS) or an
arborist.
Quite often, younger trees can get by on a broken limb and, without
any sealing, make it through and remain healthy. Older trees are
different in that respect and a 5 foot hole is quite large.
Do try to contact one of the people that I suggested and I hope your
tree makes a good recovery.
RaDonna's question reminded me that a lot of people all over the
country have experienced weather-related damage to trees and shrubs
recently. This prompted me to do some online research to find
information that readers with storm-damaged trees would find useful.
First up: an article, by Consumer Horticulturist Erv Evans, at a Web
site hosted by North Carolina State University.
"Treatment of storm-damaged trees requires wise decisions and prompt
action if the maximum benefit from repair work is to be achieved,"
says Evans. "Repairs come in two stages: first aid for immediate
attention; and follow-up work to be distributed over a period of
months to several years. Care for damaged large trees is best left to
professionals."
All the experts agree that the first thing to do is decide if the tree
is actually worth saving. Is there a sentimental or historical value
to the tree? Does it serve a particular function that makes
extraordinary action worthwhile?
Evans makes the point that if more than 30 to 50 percent of the main
branches or trunk are severely split, broken, or mutilated, the
benefit of extensive repairs is questionable.
If a damaged tree does need to be removed, it's probably a job for
experts, particularly if it's a large, older tree or has precariously
hanging, damaged limbs. Removing a tree that's close to overhead power
lines or with roots possibly near underground utilities is always a
job for the professionals!
To read the entire article, go to
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/text/tree_damage.html
or go to my Web site, www.landsteward.org and click on a direct link
from this column.
"Repairing Storm Damaged Trees," is a very practical "how to" article
by Melvin R. Koelling and Russell P. Kidd of the Michigan State
University Forestry Department.
Before you start cutting, they say, assess the damage to decide which
branches should be removed and where to cut. There are several good
diagrams with the article that show you where - and where NOT - to
cut.
Koelling and Kidd state that branches smaller than 3-inch diameter can
best be removed using a pruning shears or a pole-pruner. A sharp,
properly aligned shears or pruner will make a clean cut, not crush or
tear bark tissue and reduce clean-up time.
Use a sharp saw to remove larger branches. If a power saw is used, a
safety rope and harness are essential, they say. Be particularly
careful when footing is unsure. At all times, use common sense and
follow all recommended safety precautions when working with equipment
in and around trees.
Again, my personal advice is to leave anything more than minor
trimming to the experts to avoid the possibility of serious injury.
You can find the entire article at http://www.kbs.msu.edu/extension/storm/
which is a "must read" if you are unsure what to do about a tree that
has taken a hit from a recent storm.
The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs
and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org and for resources and
additional information, or to subscribe to Steve's free e-mailed
newsletter, visit www.landsteward.org
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Posted by symplastless on April 5, 2008, 8:49 pm
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> QUESTION: "Last week, during a storm, a 40-ft. limb was ripped down
> from an 80-ft tree, leaving a hole about 5-ft. diameter. Should I seal
> this somehow?" RaDonna
>
That and just about all tree questions are addressed here:
www.shigoandtrees.com
If you are not 100% satisfied with the information provided at that site I
will reimburse you. Or if you can produce any other source for this
information on trees please share that information. This guy rewrote the
books on trees. These items would be a good foundation for anyone
interested in understanding trees and their associates.
--
Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Consulting Forester & Tree Expert
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
and www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.
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Posted by symplastless on April 5, 2008, 11:21 pm
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> QUESTION: "Last week, during a storm, a 40-ft. limb was ripped down
> from an 80-ft tree, leaving a hole about 5-ft. diameter. Should I seal
> this somehow?" RaDonna
>
> Is there a sentimental or historical value
> to the tree? Does it serve a particular function that makes
> extraordinary action worthwhile?
With an understanding of tree biology and presently studying advanced tree
biology, I would have to testify that most, if not all, trees do i.e.,
"serve a particular function that makes extraordinary action worthwhile".
They are just created that way. No other organism on this planted supports
more groups of life than a tree.
>
> Evans makes the point that if more than 30 to 50 percent of the main
> branches or trunk are severely split, broken, or mutilated, the
> benefit of extensive repairs is questionable.
Depending on the location. If in a tree farming project, snags provide much
required sustenance for many wildlife.
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/hardtoget/ntb182/index.html
Trees in tree farms that have been injured by storms and such, still serve a
purpose for the group. These properties are often overlooked in an attempt
to harvest material. Many good articles on the topic can be found here for
starters.
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/hardtoget/index.html
--
Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Consulting Forester & Tree Expert
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
and www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.
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Posted by D. Staples on April 6, 2008, 10:15 pm
If you were Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
nonsense cut
> Sincerely,
> John A. Keslick, Jr.
> Consulting Buttercup
> http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
> and www.treedictionary.com
> Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
> Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding
> us that we are not the boss.
>
Neither Forester & Tree Expert
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Posted by symplastless on April 10, 2008, 9:55 pm
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>
> nonsense cut
>
>> Sincerely,
>> John A. Keslick, Jr.
>> Consulting Buttercup
>> http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
>> and www.treedictionary.com
>> Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
>> Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding
>> us that we are not the boss.
>>
> Neither Forester & Tree Expert
So you are claiming you are a tree expert and forester that does not
understand tree biology?
--
Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Consulting Forester & Tree Expert
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
and www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.
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