A couple of tree questions

[PrettyPaisley]

We have a really old oak tree in the front yard that I've worried about since I moved in, mainly because it's so big and so close to the house. We've had an arborist and a couple of tree services come out to give an estimate on lifting other trees and I always ask if this oak is healthy and plans to stay put. Each time I've gotten the okay. Until yesterday.

Some guy walks up to us and starts talking about this oak. We know it needs some attention; a couple of limbs had let lose and were stuck in the branches but ay any time they could fall. So he starts fast talking and jumping around like a cricket promising us a great deal to trim up this tree. AND-he's wearing a shirt with a phone number on it that is from 3 counties over. I asked him what he was doing so far from home; his seemingly legitimate excuse was that he went where the work was.

As we are standing there he starts in with scare tacticts about this tree and how, as he looks closer, there needs to be more work done than he thought. (We'd not made an decisions on this tree yet.) The tree does have a fairly large off shoot, it sort of makes a "V" with a small trunk to the left. None of the three others who've been out made a single mention about this side trunk-so I was really ready to run this guy off at this point.

My question-is it dangerous to have a 125 year old oak tree that has another tree growing from it's side? Will that compromise the tree allowing it to fall on my house? We did let him trim up the limbs but made him leave the wood. We'll burn that next year!

Question two. Will the maple tree in the backyard give me syrup? I'm inclined to think not but not sure why.

[gone-a-milkin]

You really need to show us good pics of the tree to get advice.
How close to the house, direction of prevailing winds, etc.
Otherwise we are just guessing.

[pheasantplucker]

I've felled a number of trees in my day...none though that are huge near an existing structure. There are a number of conditions that can affect the line the tree will take when it falls...slope of land, trees nearby, prominent limbs that are substantial enough to cause cause a twist as it falls, decay. If the tree is "balanced or symmetrical" on level ground, it's fairly straight forward, and most folks with some experience and common sense could probably do the job, however...this guy sounds too anxious to get your business. Personally, I would only go with someone who is well established and has great references. IMO it's too risky even allowing a guy like this to climb any of your trees. I'm guessing you weren't aware of his license status, or his insurance status as he scrambled up the tree. If he falls, you could be in a jam. What if you give him the go ahead and he destroys a corner of the house or barn? Is he bonded? I'm not against letting "the little guy" be in a business, but not when it comes to safety on my property. I bet there are a lot of shysters who do a crummy job, don't clean up, don't show up after an up front payment has been made, or who injure themselves or claim to have injured themselves while working for you. I think the difference in price between a certified arborist and a self employed lumber jack would be well worth the cost for peace of mind.

[pen]

I would trust your local tree service , before I would trust some one who is not local.
The guy who is from someplace else , won't care if you complain about his work. The
local guy will. They get part of their work from word of mouth ,by doing a good job.
Hope this will help you.

Pen

[indypartridge]

The way I understand your post, you've had "an arborist and a couple of tree services" tell you the tree is okay, and now you're nervous because an uninvited tree guy says it's not. Sounds like he was just trying to hustle you. No different than the mechanic who recommends all kinds of work on your car that you really don't need.

Stick with folks that YOU choose, who have references, and, when possible, are local.

[lisa's garden]

The other thing to consider is the prevailing wind...would it blow limbs or the tree toward your house or away? A small tree that has been engulfed by a larger one could cause some weakness at some point. But that could be a long time off...hard to tell.

Yes, always make sure that the people doing work for you can prove that they have insurance in case they get injured or do damage.

It is a good idea to have large limbs that are over the house trimmed up on a regular basis. If the tree looks like a lot of limbs are dying and breaking off, it might be time to consider removing the tree.

Oh, and a maple tree will you give you sap...but you have to turn it into syrup! Sugar maples produce a sweeter sap than soft maples, but you can actually make syrup from the sap of just about any tree. Box elder trees are supposed to have some of the sweetest sap for making syrup...but I have never tried it. Just keep in mind that it takes about 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. So one tree probably will not produce enough to make the amount of syrup you would want for one pancake breakfast for a family of four. And if you do try making syrup, all of the moisture that is produced will cause a great deal of condensation in your house, so do it outside.

[BruceC]

Any sharp-V branch is structurally weaker than a wide-V branch. A problem with big mature trees with sharp-Vs is that matter (leaves, twigs) collects in the V, compresses over time, gets wet, stays wet and rots the bark off exposing pulp wood to bugs and bacteria… which could eat enough wood to make the limb fall. That’s why every pruning “how-to” says to remove sharp-Vs. The tree can grow over the rot making it look OK but it still has a weak inclusion. AFAIK there is usually good signs of crotch rot. (and you thought only people got crotch rot, hehe)

[ronbre]

well not knowing your particular oak, I would suggest more opinions from people that aren't about to make a buck off of it, but you already had 3 other opinions..sounds like this guy is after the buck and may even be a scam.

I would remove any dead branches and clean up any bad areas..but after that leave it and see how it does..my son has a large old oak in front of his house and it has some branches that need removal.

if you have a tractor or a bucket truck avail, that will help you to reach up higher to saw off the branches that are bad..tie them off with a rope to a branch above the cut and then lower down the branch after it is cut off to make sure you know where it is going to fall and how hard..you can stand in the tractor bucket or bucket truck to do the sawing..for safety..make sure you aren't alone and have a smart partner with you.

[oregon woodsmok]

The guy is a con artist, Pretty P. Don't fall for it. You hand him a deposit and that's the last you'll ever see of him.

You've had professionals look at the tree and tell you it is just fine. Why are you going to trust a total stranger who showed up uninvited and who is trying to dip his hand into your pocket?

Oaks can live to be multiple hundreds of years old. Yours is just a pup. If the professionals have looked at it and think it is OK, stop worrying about it.

[wolffeathers]

I would stick with what the aborist's has told you. If the aborist or the other tree service folks passed up the opportunity to gain money from trimming the tree themselves, I would believe that it was sound. Because honestly, why would they tell you the tree was good to stay, and miss the opportunity to do it themselves and make more money? I would quit worrying about it if the other professionals gave it the green light.

If the tree really makes you paranoid about it falling, just have it removed. While I love big old trees, I know it's not worth worrying over and living in fear it's going to fall and take out the house.

[Harry Chickpea]

I sense a few legs being pulled. OBVIOUSLY, someone in a T-shirt with a phone number is a professional, and if they are from THREE counties over, they are an expert.

To which I, in the words of the immortal Nero Wolfe, say... "NUTS!"

On maples - rock maple (sugar maple) is going to give the most sap. Japanese maples give Sake. You can tap most trees in the spring and get some sap out of them.

[Johnny Dolittle]

You need to determine if the tree is hollow .... a professional can usually tell by the noise made by thumping the trunk with another piece of solid wood . If the tree needs to be removed it could be limed and the trunk cut into firewood working from the top down while the tree is still standing. Otherwise if determined to be safe it could be felled. If a tree is being limed or felled and your house is damaged don't bother your home owner insurance man because you are not covered. Be sure the trimmer is adequately insured and shows you proof. Good luck

[motdaugrnds]

I guess I'm confused as to why you were still concerned about that tree after getting the first few tell you it is ok.

[Old Vet]

A 125 year old oak is just the beginning to live. They grow for over 300 years old. I would trust the arborist and local tree server for the right answer.

[lisa's garden]

Oak trees can live to be hundreds of years old. But if the tree has been stressed for any reason, that life can be shortened considerably. For example, if a house is built, driveway put in, trench dug for cable lines, etc. and this activity has damaged the root system...you could very well have problems. If you have oak wilt disease in your area, that is another stress that could cause decline or kill the tree.

But I would use my own senses and not trust a guy showing up for extra work. He could be legit but he could also be going around telling people that their trees are dying to make some extra cash off their fear.

If you don't think that the tree would fall on the house or your car...then there isn't as mush to worry about. If you don't see any signs of dying branches, it should be ok. Weak crotches, mentioned above, can be cause for concern. Or a spot where another tree has been engulfed by the oak can also cause weakness. Do some investigation on your own and have it checked every few years if you are still concerned.

If it could come down on your bedrooms during a stormy night...then I would err on the side of caution and have the tree trimmed or removed. You can also have large branches cabled if they pose a danger. We removed 2 trees at our last house because they could have fallen on our son's bedroom...never regretted killing the poor defenseless trees to be sure my son was safe.

[PrettyPaisley]

I didn't let him touch the "v" of the tree but did let him trim some branches. His card did say he was licensed but who knows. Didn't consider he could sue me for getting hurt. Good to know.

I'm going to thump the "v" part of the tree and see what it sounds like.

Thanks.

[Beeman]

Question 1, no idea. Do you want the tree or do you want it removed? Is it near power lines? If so power company might trim or remove it at no cost.

Question 2, What kind of maple? If it is a sugar maple and you have 1 tree you might be able to make a cup of syrup from it a year.

[Badger]

If you do decide to have the tree removed make sure your arborist is insured and would be responsible for any damage done to the house or property. I speak from experiance.

[PrettyPaisley]

^It's not a sugar maple. It's one of those maple trees that send off those whirly bird seeds each summer. Tons of them. Should have known the reason maple syrup is so pricey is because it's not easy to come by.

The oak isn't by any power lines. I don't want it to come down as long as it's stable.