Ekka
Addicted to ArboristSite
Hi
I've just finished an intense seminar on these exact things, and as one of the speakers was your own Jill Pokorny from the US I'll report the specific's in her documents on this specific fault and tree.
Boxelders common found defects are decay and branch breakage in mature trees. The wood is quickly decayed.
Cracks in the main trunk are bad enough, but even worse when the crack extends to the ground and roots (I magnified your photo). The origin of the crack is a weak branch union, this is a shear crack ... high risk, and with the low resistance to decay in this species the tree is on it's way out.
Cabling may very well extend the life of the structure but will not prevent the decay. The cabling will also lure the tree into a false sense of security so it will grow bigger. Even if you bolt and cable this tree the crack doesn't glue together or bond. Only the new growth around the outside of the crack will be able to cover the crack up and bring stability back to the tree, but you'll have decay in trunk and a poor structure, with possible ongoing maintenance cost of pruning and cable adjustments.
Logic prevails, eventually the tree will have to come out, doing it now is cheaper than paying for cabling and then doing it later. You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear. There is also significant targets within the striking range of the tree in the event of failure.
I'd certainly recommend removal and get a bid on cut down only, it's usually 1/2 price, and felling is the cheapest method so check out that back fence.
I've just finished an intense seminar on these exact things, and as one of the speakers was your own Jill Pokorny from the US I'll report the specific's in her documents on this specific fault and tree.
Boxelders common found defects are decay and branch breakage in mature trees. The wood is quickly decayed.
Cracks in the main trunk are bad enough, but even worse when the crack extends to the ground and roots (I magnified your photo). The origin of the crack is a weak branch union, this is a shear crack ... high risk, and with the low resistance to decay in this species the tree is on it's way out.
Cabling may very well extend the life of the structure but will not prevent the decay. The cabling will also lure the tree into a false sense of security so it will grow bigger. Even if you bolt and cable this tree the crack doesn't glue together or bond. Only the new growth around the outside of the crack will be able to cover the crack up and bring stability back to the tree, but you'll have decay in trunk and a poor structure, with possible ongoing maintenance cost of pruning and cable adjustments.
Logic prevails, eventually the tree will have to come out, doing it now is cheaper than paying for cabling and then doing it later. You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear. There is also significant targets within the striking range of the tree in the event of failure.
I'd certainly recommend removal and get a bid on cut down only, it's usually 1/2 price, and felling is the cheapest method so check out that back fence.