Can I save this tree if I cut it down?

[wood4heat]

A couple weeks back we had a solid windstorm. I was out of town and returned to find the top blown out of this Doug Fir. There are no live branches below the break so I figured I would drop it and add to my wood pile.

As seen from my front yard:

4482 by wood4heat on Arboristsite.com

And the close up:

4480 by wood4heat on Arboristsite.com

After walking out to the tree I learned that it was sprouted from another tree at the base. Or is this considered 1/2 of a single tree?

4481 by wood4heat on Arboristsite.com

So my long winded question is this. If I drop the trunk on the right will it have the potential to introduce rot into the base of the good trunk on the left? If so could I seal the exposed cut with something to protect it?

Sorry if my terminology is all wrong but hopefully you get what I'm trying to say. Thanks!

 

[ATH]

It is likely the death of the right limb will end up with rot introduced into the other trunk whether you cut it off or let it come off naturally in several years. Unfortunately there is nothing to treat that to stop the rot.

 

[dennis066]

Cut it off just above the 'Y' and apply some roofing tar to the stump.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I disagree with the roofing tar idea...

Cut it if you want and leave it alone...

SR

 

[dennis066]

Ok to disagree! I'm flexible!

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Ok to disagree! I'm flexible!

lol lol

 

[ksvanbrunt]

I thought a thin slab of concrete would be a little better than roofing tar....hahaha!

 

[wood4heat]

So what I am hearing is that I should take both sides down or they will eventually rot and become a danger? There is not a good option to save the healthy side?

 

[BC WetCoast]

I would fall the right side slightly above the fork. Leave the cut on a slope so it will shed water. The tree may be able to compartmentalize it (I've seen firs do this). I've seen fir stumps grow over with callous wood because it was being fed by grafted roots, and the stump was still solid.

It is going to take several years before rot enters through the stem cut to the point of becoming a hazard. You have lots of time to monitor.

 

[Mustang71]

I'd take the broken side down and take ur chances on the other side if it's not a hazard tree let it go for a while.

 

[wood4heat]

The bad part of leaving it is that I'm planning to build a small rustic cabin out of reclaimed materials in its fall zone. Nothing fancy, maybe 16' X 24' with a 6' covered porch on the front. I don't plan on running power but will add a small wood stove. That will be another year before I start though so I have some time to look at it.

 

[dennis066]

I would fall the right side slightly above the fork. Leave the cut on a slope so it will shed water. The tree may be able to compartmentalize it (I've seen firs do this). I've seen fir stumps grow over with callous wood because it was being fed by grafted roots, and the stump was still solid.

It is going to take several years before rot enters through the stem cut to the point of becoming a hazard. You have lots of time to monitor.

Agree! If you have to worry it should be on another damaging windstorm breaking off another tree top. What are the odds of that happening?

 

[Mustang71]

I build one of those metal sheds and now wish I had taken down the large oak leaning over it. It's not dead but still it went from easy to complicated.

 

[ATH]

From those limited pictures (always dangerous), I'm assuming the good side has lots of life left in it. I'd leave it if that is your desire.

NO tar over it. Tar traps in moisture and makes it more hospital for bugs. If you feel you must cover it, there is wound paint (that will do nothing in this circumstance) or you could just use latex. I'd just leave it exposed...Cut at an angle as suggested above.

 

[dennis066]

Tar traps in moisture and makes it more hospital for bugs.

Excuse me but the other end is buried in the dirt!

 

[ATH]

It is also wrapped in a very good sealant called "bark". There is really no disputing that tar is not good for trees among those educated about trees and tree biology. It has been tried in the past and causes more harm than good.

 

[dennis066]

Thanks for clearing that up. If I were to use a log as a fence post I would first remove the bark. You would suggest leaving it on to 'seal' the post! Of course not!

 

[Sawyer Rob]

A fence post it dead wood, but the tree isn't.

SR

 

[dennis066]

The stump is not dead?? I do have some stumps that have sealed over and when I cut into them still live tissue, 40 years after being cut down! But in most cases we could classify a stump as dead same as a fence post.

 

[Mustang71]

Did you see the pictures? It's half of a living tree that the top broke off of. He's asking about cutting off the broken part and preserving the other half of the living tree.