See photos. First three show the tree today, the last three show the tree before branch removal and the damage at the top. This sycamore tree is approx. 7' dbh (yes, I measured it). It is famous in Wheeling WV and known as the "Witness Tree" as it's age is estimated at 300 years. If correct, it would have seen the history of the area develop since the early 1700s. I question the age a little but that is a different matter. Many years (70-80?) ago, the tree was struck by lightning and the top was blown out. Since then it grew new HUGE branches just below the damage and a couple years ago the owners decided it was a hazard and began removing the huge branches. I agree it was a hazard - they were approx. 24" diameter and spread some 30' out from the trunk and attached to damaged wood. When they got to the trunk area below where the branches were attached, they found the damaged area (and maybe farther down) had been filled with concrete in the past. It appeared that they decided to leave the trunk alone and they even built a little roof over it - I guess to keep rain out and reduce further decay. Over the past year, many new branches have sprouted from the trunk as expected. I thought they had decided to leave it as is. Today I noticed they had laid about 24" of gravel around the base and had run a skid steere all around the drip zone. There is also a pile of top soil nearby - I'm guessing to either cover the gravel or build up the area past the gravel. This has always been a low area that held water after heavy rains. Everything I've learned on this site since 2006 tells me the tree probably won't last more than a couple years now. Am I wrong?
