Advice needed on Maple tree.

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I'm looking at a red maple that came from the stump of a
tree. This was before I lived here about 6 years ago now. It actually came from
the root right next to the stump. It grew rather vigorously since I moved here
4-1/2 years ago. It's about 7-8 ft. tall.

I trimmed it up some
as it was trying to become a bush with multiple leaders and for some reason, I
left it double leader. I suppose to see which one did the best, then prune one
off.

Last fall I noticed on the side of the new tree, low by the
ground, there was a loose piece of bark an inch or so long. I removed it
to check for insects and saw a separation in the bark maybe 1/2" wide,
that went all the way into the ground. Looked like it was already starting to
heal. There is a little funny look to
the bark on the new tree right next to the stump.

My question, can I cut/saw the damaged leader off, leaving
it a single trunked tree?

The bright sun off the snow made it difficult to get bright distance
shots but this is a view of the major portion of the tree, looking to the
east (damage is on the west side).

Here is a little closer up. You can see where it's
closing the wound (Looking northwest to south east.) The right fork is the one
I want to cut.

This shows the funny bark right next to the stump. fungus? (I know there is a piece of something growing out of the stump. That's not what I mean, but look where the bottom of the new tree meets the stump. Bark looks kind of loose there too.

Here is looking to the west. No apparent damage and looks quite healthy The left fork is the
one that I want to remove.

Here's looking west (backed off some). The left fork would
get cut. The tree actually grew quite nicely for several years and had nice fall colors.

Any comments welcome. I can take it. :)

I left this tree
mostly for ground shade and fall color until the trees I planted get started.
So not the end of the world if it's not salvageable.

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Comments (5)

User
Original Author
9 years ago
Mostly, I just wondered what caused the bark to get so flaky in the first place and if I cut off one trunk if the tree will heal over. Or is it too late for this tree. I don't believe it was mechanical damage.
User
Original Author
9 years ago
Due to the overwhelming majority of the people participating in this discussion wanting this and most sources saying late winter is a good time to do maple pruning, I decided to do the cut now. And the two crowns were really starting to interfere with each other and there was really no way to properly prune it.

I don't know if it will heal properly at the bottom as it almost seems like a pathogen that did the damage. But if it works, great, the tree will be here a few years, maybe longer depending on. I think it may have been a grafted cultivar, not sure but it sure has great fall colors for root stock.

If it doesn't make it, oh well, I have plenty of trees planted (5 of them red maples) and more coming, so taking one out isn't going to hurt anything.

I'm starting to wonder if I should try to remove the stump or if it would hurt the new trees roots by doing it. Or maybe there are residual roots from the old tree that are feeding the new tree. Anyone know about these things?

Here's what the tree looks like now:

This side gives the best look at the bad part of this. The bar wood goes right into the ground. I did treat it with some Fungicide last fall so we'll see.
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houzi
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
overwhelming majority ha ha like it.The big 'ol tree that was cut down is just trying to survive by sending up new growth where it can.There will be a lot of rot in that area as the stump and now unused wood dies but the tree will try everything in it's power to keep going.Wether or not it will succeed is in the lap of the gods I guess and it's up against it with all the decay that will be there.IMO looks a hell of a job to remove the stump,too much work for a tree that you aren't seriously bothered about.It'd be easier just to replace it rather than have a suspect tree if you did dig it.I'd let it get on with it,hope for the best.Could be worth spraying the wound to keep out more trouble as it's still dormant..copper solution or similar.Watch it over time but if it always looks a mess down there I'd remove it before it gets too big.
User thanked houzi
User
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I never thought that the rotting stump could possibly infect the healthy, growing sprout but apparently it has!

I don't think I'd try to extract the whole stump but I though of taking a 1" speed bit in a drill and removing what I could by drilling multiple holes in from the top to maybe speed up the disintegration process? I don't know if that would be a good idea or not.

Like you mentioned, it won't cost me anything to give the tree another year or two before making a final decision.

At least for now, I won't have the competing leaders issue to deal with. :)
User
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Update:

Removed the red maple tree today and glad I did. Although it seemed sturdy, the lower trunk had a funny look to the bark, kind of gnarled and not clean, encapsulating bark. Although the fungicide made it look like the rot had been cured, once exposed, the new stump under the ground was about half rotted, same for some of the roots. So it's gone and there should be no surprises later on when it's big and a windstorm breaks it off.

I think I just found a spot for my little Acer ginnala I found this spring. Several feet away from the old site, near the alley and electrical power block, between the white spruce/balsam fir screen and the alley. South side of the spruce so will get full sun and won't get so big to overwhelm the screen. Won't see it from the house but will look good to the neighbors with the Spruce back drop and bright fall colors and won't take up any usable yard space for me. :-)