Maple Tree Splitting At Trunk HELP!

[StealBlueSHO]

This year has been a bit rough.. I lost my favorite tree in the back yard during the windstorm we had a couple months ago... and now my second favorite tree is splitting at the trunk... I am not a green thumb, and I am calling the local town arborist tomorrow...

Anyone on this forum had a similar issue happen with their tree? Were you able to save it? or am I going to need to cut it down? Thanks! 

 

[SHOdded]

. If you could save it would be a major project.  A LOT of trimming would be required so it could support weight up top.  Zip ties and duct tape won't be enough.

 

[StealBlueSHO]

. If you could save it would be a major project.  A LOT of trimming would be required so it could support weight up top.  Zip ties and duct tape won't be enough.

I have cinch straps on it right now.. plus I trimmed quite a bit off that side to alleviate the stress. I greatly appreciate the input!


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[FoMoCoSHO]

You need an arbor line to tie it to one of the other main branches. We just had one installed in our maple a couple weeks ago since we don't want to lose this tree.

Just below the third cut up, lighting sucks right now but you can see it if you look close

 

[StealBlueSHO]

You need an arbor line to tie it to one of the other main branches.

Thanks, I have that cinch on with the anchor point on the oppose side main trunk/branch...




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[FoMoCoSHO]

Better pic

 

[SHOdded]

Did they apply any repair material or will the tree be allowed to selfheal?

 

[StealBlueSHO]

Better pic

Was the trunk starting to split? Or was this preventative maintenance?


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[FoMoCoSHO]

Did they apply any repair material or will the tree be allowed to selfheal?

Ours didn't need any repair, it was preventative maintenance so it doesn't split. It is a pretty large tree and the split is very low so there is a ton of force on each side. Did some strategic trimming as well to allow air to flow through better.

 

[StealBlueSHO]

Arborist came out... tree needs to go as the damage is too much. Thanks for the input guys!


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[SHOdded]

Sad   How much damage is recoverable from did he say?

 

[StealBlueSHO]

He said a lot of things.. unfortunately I only understood half of it! Very smart guy to say the least...

Basically the split is too far down the trunk. If it had split further up it maybe recoverable. 


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[FoMoCoSHO]

He may be smart but mother nature is smarter.

One of our maples at my Grandmas took a direct lightening hit many years ago and split it. I don't remember and she's no longer here to tell me what she did but she made the repair and the tree did the rest.

You can still see the battle damage but she's still standing and beautiful.

Hell , one of the Maples we cut down here sprouted another tree from the stump. It wants to live And basically turned into a Maple bush so I keep it trimmed up.

If it were me i would install the line to bring it back in line then I would use the tree goo heavily around the edges and see what happens. I don't see that there is anything to lose and mother nature may surprise you.

 

[SHOdded]

I agree.

 

[SilvererSHO]

He may be smart but mother nature is smarter.

One of our maples at my Grandmas took a direct lightening hit many years ago and split it. I don't remember and she's no longer here to tell me what she did but she made the repair and the tree did the rest.

You can still see the battle damage but she's still standing and beautiful.

Hell , one of the Maples we cut down here sprouted another tree from the stump. It wants to live And basically turned into a Maple bush so I keep it trimmed up.

If it were me i would install the line to bring it back in line then I would use the tree goo heavily around the edges and see what happens. I don't see that there is anything to lose and mother nature may surprise you.

I agree.  The nicest tree I have in my yard is a Red Maple that has half it's trunk missing at the base.  My uncle had an ash tree split like the one you posted.  He winched it back together and put two 3/4" threaded rods with large washers through two holes he drilled and the tree it still going strong 10+ years later.  It's almost completely grown around the threaded rod now.

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

He may be smart but mother nature is smarter.

One of our maples at my Grandmas took a direct lightening hit many years ago and split it. I don't remember and she's no longer here to tell me what she did but she made the repair and the tree did the rest.

You can still see the battle damage but she's still standing and beautiful.

Hell , one of the Maples we cut down here sprouted another tree from the stump. It wants to live And basically turned into a Maple bush so I keep it trimmed up.

If it were me i would install the line to bring it back in line then I would use the tree goo heavily around the edges and see what happens. I don't see that there is anything to lose and mother nature may surprise you.

I agree.  The nicest tree I have in my yard is a Red Maple that has half it's trunk missing at the base.  My uncle had an ash tree split like the one you posted.  He winched it back together and put two 3/4" threaded rods with large washers through two holes he drilled and the tree it still going strong 10+ years later.  It's almost completely grown around the threaded rod now.

Great idea!

 

[glock-coma]

Since FoMoCo mentioned lighting , this is a pic I took last year.
There was bark scattered roughly 20’ from the base in all directions.
Striped it like a barber pole
It was at a school I was doing some repairs at.

 

[SilvererSHO]

Since FoMoCo mentioned lighting , this is a pic I took last year.
There was bark scattered roughly 20’ from the base in all directions.
Striped it like a barber pole
It was at a school I was doing some repairs at.

I've heard in sandy soil you can dig around near the base of a tree that's been struck by lightning and find small pebbles that look like glass from the sand fusing together.  Or even neat looking sculptures.

https://www.pinterest.com/suzanator339/fulgurite-lightning-glass/?lp=true

 

[Vortech347]

Drill it then run threaded rod through it.

I repaired my tree that looked EXACTLY like yours 5 years ago.

(Not mine but what it looks like)

I used 3 rods.  One at the very bottom of the split.  One at the point where the split was.  Then one about a foot higher.  It has survived through wind storms and winters no problem.  The tree has actually started to grow around the washers/nuts now and healed itself at the split.  It's amazing.

Don't use any kind of ratchet strap.  They don't do a damn thing.  They stretch from the forces involved.  I'd only recommend using the ratchet if you want to stabilize while drilling.  I can get you some pictures if you want to see how mine looks.  Just PM me your number and I'll text you some.

 

[ajpturbo]

Drill it then run threaded rod through it.

I repaired my tree that looked EXACTLY like yours 5 years ago.

(Not mine but what it looks like)

I used 3 rods.  One at the very bottom of the split.  One at the point where the split was.  Then one about a foot higher.  It has survived through wind storms and winters no problem.  The tree has actually started to grow around the washers/nuts now and healed itself at the split.  It's amazing.

Don't use any kind of ratchet strap.  They don't do a damn thing.  They stretch from the forces involved.  I'd only recommend using the ratchet if you want to stabilize while drilling.  I can get you some pictures if you want to see how mine looks.  Just PM me your number and I'll text you some.

Does that cause the tree any pain?