Dying tree?

[sandbur]

Is my tree dying? I noticed the top looked sick last summer. Borer?

What happens if I just cut it off below the injury?

Or leave a root suckers and start over?


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[Native Hunter]

That looks almost identical to the woodpecker holes I see at the top of lots of utility poles. That is an indication (although not for certain) there are bugs inside. My guess is that the tree is dying - and you may never know why.

I would try for a root sucker in a case like this, but that is just my personal preference. I would also do an autopsy on the tree when you cut it down and try to determine what was going on.

Another option would be to make a slanting cut below the decay and try to get a good limb to take over as the main vertical growth. The problem here is getting a tree that big to heal over, and you may end up with the same problem at another place.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I wish I had an accurate answer for you, Bur. I hope if you try what Native Hunter said above that it works out for you & the tree makes it.

 

[chummer]

Looks like it is trying to heal. I would give it another year.

 

[FarmerDan]

Is it dead? It looks like it has expanding buds on most of the branches? What kind of tree is it. Looks like a red maple from here. If it is, it might sucker. If there's any life in it, I would prune out the dead wood and cut back some of the live branches to force some additional leaf budding.

 

[sandbur]

It is a haralson.

I have considered the two options and will probably cut it at an angle and let one root sucker grow.


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[Prof.Kent]

Bores usually attack within 2' of the ground.

 

[chickenlittle]

I wouldn't cut it down. I might cut the top off but no reason not to give it a chance to continue.

 

[Barndog56]

Another option is to cut the main trunk a foot above ground, and wedge graft a couple of scions to it. Take advantage of the root system. It will kick out a ton of growth, whereas it probably won't right now while trying to heal whatever is wrong with it. You could even take a scion from a healthy branch on the same tree if you want it to stay a Haralson.