Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
hoovb

Is this fatal structural failure? Should I remove?

I've got an Agonis flexuosa that branches to four main trunks about 12" above ground. The largest of those four main trunks is splitting at its first branch, about 4' above ground. The split has widened over the past couple of days.

{{gwi:374377}}

{{gwi:374380}}

I'm pleased with the species--it's a graceful small tree so far, but I'm concerned this particular specimen is doomed because of poor structure. Should I cut off one side of that split? Will I still have a decent tree, or is the thing doomed and best removed at this small (15') size and replaced with a better specimen? It was planted at 3' tall in 2008. In retrospect I should have paid strict attention to structure from the beginning, but hindsight is 20/20, right?

Thanks for any opinions you might have on this.

Comments (7)