Fire damaged tree

[Tree Critter]

I am going to look at a hackberry tree tomarrow that was over a greenhouse that burned last week. The customer says that only a few branches were affected, but he thinks he wants the whole tree removed. I would like to try and talk him into saveing it if the damage is not too bad. What should I look for to determine the extent of the damage other than the obvious blackened burnt bark. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

The big problem is heat damaged cambium. You may net see it for a while but the whole side of the tree may die back. Depends on how hot it was and how long the fire lasted.

 

[Deere John]

Yes, my boy Jack says to let the tree leaf out, put on the spring wood and assess the extent of the damage on the basis of dead cambium in June.

(I am typing this for him, because, at 28" tall, he has a little trouble with the keyboard/chair relationship )