110 Year Old Cypress... Safe to Save???

[Big Tree California]

Hi All!
Looking at a beautiful Monterey Cypress for a new customer. They have been told by a couple other tree services that the two trees need to come down. I think that might be the case also with the rot, woodpecker damage, age, and also I have never dealt with cabling of this type that was previously installed by a prior tree service. With the location of the tree, if any of the stems fall it can cause major damage (small hotel).

I'd really love to save it, but I'm hesitant to charge a customer for a large trimming job, and then have the tree fail.

So here is my questions...

Should it go?

If it stays...

It definitely needs pruning, has been many years.

What would you guys recommend for stopping the wood peckers? There's 7 stems I believe, and the wood peckers are all over both trees.

At the base of one of the trees there is quite a bit of decay from a previously removed stem. Would it be worth it to carve out the decay?

In one of the pictures, hopefully the cabling is visible. Should it go? I've never been a fan of cabling like this...


Thanks for all your opinions!

 

[JRoland]

Thats quite the tree you have there.
I am curious about a couple things:
You say the owners of the tree are your new customers, what did they hire you to do?
You could get all kinds of opinions and it won't matter if they are set on removing ( or keeping) it.
Also, the two other tree companies that recommended removal, why did they recommend removal, and if that was the agreed course of action, why is there now a third tree company ( you) involved?
Just some questions for starters, I'm interested to see what everyone thinks.

 

[treeseer]

Where is the fungus? Birds are pecking at dead wood--so? etc.

 

[Pelorus]

Do yourself (and your customers) a favor by getting a copy of this booklet:
(copied from the TreeStuff.com webpage, but also available from other suppliers.)

Home > Books & Research > ANSI Standards > Best Management Practices - Tree Risk Assessment
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - TREE RISK ASSESSMENT

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This Best Management Practices (BMP) publication is intended to serve as a guide for arborists to assess tree risk as accurately and consistently as possible, to evaluate that risk, and to recommend measures that achieve an acceptable level of risk. In doing so, tree risk assessors should recognize the value of preserving trees and the importance of avoiding unnecessary treatments.


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Topics include risk assessment basics and types of risk associated with trees; levels and scope and tree risk assessment; assessing and evaluating risk from tree failures; tree risk categorization; risk reporting; and tree risk mitigation, including preventive and remedial actions.

• © 2011
• Softcover
• 81 pages
• Glossary

 

[ATH]

Have you done Tree Risk Assessment Qualification? If not, find somebody who has. I find it kinda scary that you are asking people to diagnose over internet about a tree presenting this level of risk.

 

[Zale]

Just because it's big and old doesn't make it special.

 

[treeseer]

Just because it's big and old does not mean it's a horribly high risk.

TRAQ training and the BMP teach people how to fear decay and CYA but teach little about inspection and mitigation.

Pruning 10% off including sprawl would not hurt.

 

[Pelorus]

TRAQ training and the BMP teach people how to fear decay and CYA but teach little about inspection and mitigation.

Huh? Your statement is misleading and inaccurate.
I took TRAQ last month. When did you take it, Guy?

 

[ATH]

TRAQ training should have taught you how to communicate risk to the owner - letting them make a decision. I heard nothing about "fear decay". Sure, "notice decay, and evaluate its impact on the strength of the tree"...but nothing of fear. I thought they did a great job teaching about inspection. I do agree more time could have been spent on mitigation...at least when I took it about a year and a half ago.

 

[JRoland]

Any new info on this tree? Curious to see how it turns out.
It's about 80% sure I'll be taking TRAQ next May in Bend, Oregon.