Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
kbard_gw

Chop this kousa?

kbard
10 years ago

I'm guessing this tree didn't get its winter wrapping when it was young because this damage is on the southwest side. We haven't had the house for a long time so I don't know how old the tree is. It leafs out ok and is blooming right now but the branches are shorter on the affected side. Is it doomed? We are borrowing a chainsaw for the week and if it's only got a few years left I would rather chop it now.

{{gwi:433962}}

{{gwi:433964}}

Thanks in advance

Comments (18)

  • kbard
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    By blooming I mean its red thingys

  • Smivies (Ontario - 5b)
    10 years ago

    "By blooming I mean its red thingys"

    Those would be the fruit....the flowers are hard to miss in May, they are white and cover the branches.

    Even though the tree isn't in great shape, I'd hold off on the chainsaw for a few years. I'm sure you'll be able to easily borrow one when you actually need it.

  • ricksample
    10 years ago

    What does the rest of the tree look like? Photos? If it were me, my decision would be based on what the top of the tree looks like. If it's been doing fine like that for years, I don't see why it wouldn't in the future. If it takes a turn for the worse, you can easily borrow a chain saw and have it gone in just minutes. If it has a nice canopy, I would definitely keep it. But you said the branches are shorter one the affected side?

  • kbard
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    The top of the tree is fine, it's just that on the good side, the branches are about 20-30% higher and sticking out that much farther as well, but that's only from one angle so it doesn't look that bad. I guess I will leave it for now

  • Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
    10 years ago

    Agreed, do not cut it now. Based on the trunk I will just hazard a guess it is not a danger to anything not sleeping under it.

    Enjoy the fall colors, the flowers and the spring show. Maybe after the next Presidential election start thinking about what you would like if it ever goes down hill.

  • Embothrium
    10 years ago

    Looks pretty bad to me. How long do you want that huge wound to be part of the scene there? I would also wonder about the dogwood snapping off sometime where there is that interruption in the trunk - I don't see it replacing the bark over that section for a long time. Maybe it will effectively be bare there, with exposed heartwood indefinitely. And if it ever replaces the outer shell in that part, what condition will the heartwood be in by then? Larger trees often end up with cavities just from where an individual branch was lost.

  • ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
    10 years ago

    can you get some film of you chopping with a chain saw?????

    since you took the pic from that side.. may i guess there is a sidewalk there.. and if so.. suggest that it limbed up higher on that side to avoid poking out guests eyes???

    lets be clear... a tree in this condition could live another decade or two.. or die next year ....

    but there are two bottom lines for me...

    first.. presumably ... its out your front door.. and basically ugly ..... and already bugging you.. get rid of it ...

    second .... its already bugging you .... get rid of it ...

    since it is out in a prime space.. i would suggest you cut it to a long stump.. just blow the lowest branches.. and start digging... since that space will be needed... for something new.. this isnt a spot where you want to look at a rotting stump for 5 years ....

    if you can.. sharpen your shovel.. before you start digging.. about 2 feet out from the trunk.. and keep going.. until you find the one or two large roots that will need to be cut.. using the trunk to rock it back and forth.. to help you find the roots...

    good luck

    ken

  • Smivies (Ontario - 5b)
    10 years ago

    "since it is out in a prime space.. i would suggest you cut it to a long stump.. just blow the lowest branches.. and start digging... since that space will be needed... for something new.. this isnt a spot where you want to look at a rotting stump for 5 years"

    OMG Ken...it's less than 6" in diameter. Cut it flush with the ground and cover with mulch. Why the OP even needs a chainsaw is beyond me, a good hand pruning saw would make short work of it.

    OP...please leave it for a few years if you can. It's currently healthy, it'll be hard to replace with a similar size one, and it presents very little insurance/hazard risk (sic Ken).

  • ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
    10 years ago

    you dont understand.. if OP is anything like me ...

    when you have the option of firing up the chainsaw.. you GOTTA find things to chop down ... healthy or not... lol ...

    its a chainsaw thing.. not a plant thing ...

    maybe even going as far as knocking on doors.. and seeing if any of the neighbors have anything to chainsaw ... relatives.. peeps in the next county .. etc...

    i too would leave the stump.. but on 5 acres.. this tree would not have been within feet of the castles front door ... i did say.. if they needed the spot.. to dig it up ....

    ken

  • Smivies (Ontario - 5b)
    10 years ago

    I don't know Ken? If the prose you subject us to is any indication, there are very few people like you....(all in jest).

    This post was edited by smivies on Mon, Sep 23, 13 at 16:40

  • j0nd03
    10 years ago

    OP, I will trade my advice on how to handle the dogwood for the white Audi behind the tree.

    John

  • kbard
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Interesting discussion everyone

    First of all.... Ken
    I appreciate your concern but....
    I live about 8 miles from any sidewalks....
    So.... Not much ...danger...
    Of poking out an....
    Eyeball

    That is my best effort at a "Ken's Prose Haiku"

    {{gwi:433965}}

    {{gwi:433966}}

    I guess I'll just trim it to make it even for a while. I was just sort of wanting to decide on a long term perennial plan for the bed but the lifespan of the tree is sort of cramping my planning style since I don't know how long it will be there ... It mostly has annuals now. But it does look pretty decent so I'll move on to some other project. Thanks guys

  • ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
    10 years ago

    never though of it as haiku ....

    i dont really think you should encourage me in that regard.. lol ...

    me think doth protest too muck.. i see one errant wild one in there... prune it back to a live side branch.. about 6 inches into the tree..

    and ignore the rest ...

    that thing will probably live for another decade ...

    good luck

    ken

  • bengz6westmd
    10 years ago

    That's a fair amount of scar tissue formed, so it's making a good attempt at healing. Leave it for now. The dried heartwood should resist rotting for some time. A couple of deer-rubbed trees of mine have recovered from similar wounds.

  • bwaynef
    10 years ago

    It looks like I'm late to this discussion, but won't let that stop me from sharing my opinion.

    I'm not sure if they're still making MinWax Wood Hardener, but if you're worried that the exposed heartwood is going to rot away thereby damaging the structure of the tree, you can coat the exposed wood with (a product similar to) that.

    Also, its counter-intuitive, but if you take a really sharp knife and shave off the very edge of the scar, that will promote the scar to continue rolling over more quickly. After this procedure, apply a sealant to the newly exposed scar. In a pinch, vaseline or Preparation-H works. The spray-on stuff is ugly, but there might be some sort of sealant-putty available at big-box stores.

    Both recommendations given above are common practice with bonsai.

  • Sequoiadendron4
    10 years ago

    Holy Hanna! I'd chop that right down. I'm with Ken, dig that guy outta there and plant something new. Why waste a few years on a 'maybe' tree when you can plant something of your choice and enjoy watching it grow....

  • famartin
    10 years ago

    Hey this thread finally revealed that Ken is really just a big chain saw junkie. No wonder he always advises people to remove their trees!

    Hey, my parents might have one or two you could eliminate... ;)

  • famartin
    10 years ago

    As far as the actual topic of this thread... it'll be a while before that gets really big. Lots of time to see what happens with it, whether that heals properly or not. Obviously it will take some time. If the original poster considers it an eye sore, then remove it. If they like it, then leave it. Its a long ways from hurting anyone.