The cabling is all you can do. How does the bark look on the other side?

tj

If it's now cabled, should last for some time. Just leave the wound alone, nothing you can or should do other than it stays as dry as possible. Silver maples tolerate moderate trimming too (but don't top it) and that would relieve some of the weight pressure on the remaining fork. Another option would be to simply remove the damaged fork completely. Make sure you have what YOU want to do done (or not done), not what someone else tells you (the tree guys).

PS Cement is a bad idea because it draws in moisture, and this is exactly what you DON'T want.

Yes, they won't be cementing it...not only for the tree, but for tree removal at some time in the future....the cement can make it impossible to saw.

The bark looks ok on the other side...it's that the crotch has decades of leaves and moisture and rot working in the middle and even a hornets nest. And moist wood is attractive to carpenter ants too...

“it's that the crotch has decades of leaves and moisture and rot working in the middle and even a hornets nest. And moist wood is attractive to carpenter ants too...”

That does not sound good, Annie.

No no and no. There is nothing that you can apply in any manner that can help save your tree and I am so sorry. Those practices have been tossed to the wayside for many, many years by knowledgeable professionals.

Of course, their recommendation was to take down the whole thing,

==>> you already have the correct answer.. you have a rather honest forthright tree guy ...

since it appears to be out in the middle of nowhere.. where it wont threaten property or life.. then just watch it crumble to the ground.. which may or may not happen in your lifetime ... tree time is counted in decades.. so who knows how long it will last...

the other reason cement doesnt work.. is that trees are supposed to blow in the wind.. which means.. flex.. cement doenst flex..so it speeds up further collapse in the next storm..

personally.. i would not have spent money on cabling.. but that is your choice.. and all the power to ya...

i might suggest... you move forward with the logic.. of we tried.. and next time something happens .... its time to go...

ken

Annie, my neighbor and I, the houses are 30 feet apart. I have 10ft, he has 20ft. We both planted Silver Maple sprouts in the '80's. They were and are beautiful. They have shaded the south side of my house. They have, however, reached the end of their lifespan. They drop limbs in every storm, have sapsucker holes all around the trunks, and are full of carpenter ants. His has the crotch like you have, mine does not.

We are just enjoying them until they go. If they fall and damage something, the insurance will pay. They will not pay to take them out now. (We have asked.)

Enjoy your tree for however long it hangs on to life. It might be much longer than you think. Maybe save some of the seeds and start a new one in it's honor.

ETA: Yours looks like it is not near anywhere to damage something, so I would just enjoy it.

ken, I hear you, but it's a sentimental thing, and it does such a beautiful job of anchoring the landscape on that side of the pond. If we took it down and planted something else, we'd never live long enough to enjoy it.

Already done...I've planted a tulip tree nearby and doubt I'll live to see its full glory either. On the other side of the pond, I've put a weeping willow. It will grow quickly and I'll enjoy it, but hopefully, it'll be the next owners dealing with it when it starts to go...they don't last that long and get very messy at the end.