Sounds like the tree is out on the back 40 and not where it will grow over the house?

If so I say let it go. The tree may never have classic suburban clone form and will probably take some follow up pruning to eliminate some of the undesireable branches that are sure to sprout but if it has good color and put in its time working as part of a fence I would let it grow.

Not sure what "suburban clone form" refers to in post above, but I do agree with Tor-you may as well enjoy it as is. I'm not sure I'd expend one calorie's worth of effort in trying to "fix" the structure, envisioning it as I do as far, far too far gone. Just leave it be, enjoy it for what it is, and spend your time (as far as trees go) with something where success can be achieved. I don't think that is the case here.

+oM

give us a pic if you want real advice ...

topped trees tend to rot from the cut ... down the inside ... as the new branches grow to length ... they start weighing a lot.. and as wind starts whipping them around .. they tend to stress out the rotting core ... and they tend to fall apart catastrophically ...

when can this happen???? ... who knows.. sometime in the next 10 to 30 years ... or tomorrow????

get rid of it.. and plant a healthy tree ... IMHO ....

might change my mind.. with a pic ...

ken

I am sure you are correct. It is definitley rotten inside. And it is kind of in the front of the house. As soon as the fence comes down it will be on full display. So maybe I should replace it with a nice sugar maple baby.

Heres another pic

Honestly, I'd put that thing out of its misery pronto.

Ha. That had been the plan. I just had last minute regrets when it showed such lovely color. Fence is coming down today or tomorrow. I am ready with my chainsaw to give it the final shot in the temple. Poor old thing.

Maples are commonly regenerated from stump sprouts by the forestry folks. Might consider that option if you like the color and location. Agree it best for the current trunk to go.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stump sprout regeneration summary

If you cut it down, it'll prb'ly resprout. Make sure to cut it clean to the ground, then over the yrs cut extraneous side-sprouts off, eventually leaving a single trunk.

Interesting long-term project...

Huh. Interesting idea. I wonder if its roots will be stronger in the long run...

Aaah thank goodness you returned and posted pics. I had vision of a lazy old coot destroying healthy trees. Now I wish I could have visited and had tea with your dad. The the tree suffered storm damage in the past causing that large area to rot in the trunk. Pops was wisely lightening the top to prevent it becomeing topheavy and falling over. What you call a "delapitated old fence" I see as art. Maybe art in the wrong setting that would be approperate on a working ranch but a work of art none the less. I would love to know what or who he was making sure didn't climb over that fence,note the sharpened points at top.

That's a 'Fort Apache' fence!
When you take it down note where it is attached to the tree, and be careful when cutting the tree down..... and up. You don't want to cut into any nails or staples. Duh. ;-)
Mike

Thanks for the heads up. My dad was definitley a BIG fan of BIG nails, so it may be prudent to just haul the while thing to municipal compost instead of chunking it up for forewood. I'll probably kill my chainsaw.

The fence was originally installed right around the time my mom was born. We have photos of her as a toddler and my grandmother in front of it when it was brand new. Mom will be 80 this spring. So the fence has had a good long life, but has definitly lost its structure. It practically exoloded into dust when we took it down.

Thanks for the heads up. My dad was definitley a BIG fan of BIG nails, so it may be prudent to just haul the while thing to municipal compost instead of chunking it up for forewood. I'll probably kill my chainsaw.

The fence was originally installed right around the time my mom was born. We have photos of her as a toddler and my grandmother in front of it when it was brand new. Mom will be 80 this spring. So the fence has had a good long life, but has definitly lost its structure. It practically exoloded into dust when we took it down.