is this tree ok?

Posts

• Liriodendron Posts: 8,328

  December 2020

  That doesn't look good... how long has the split been there?  And what were the leaves like this year?  Did it look healthy?
  
  You might need advice from a qualified tree surgeon.

  Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.

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• eileenmccartney148yR3u-6_A Posts: 5

  December 2020

  Must have been just over 12 months ago, when I first noticed the bark peeling. the leaves were fine,The tree was topped around 6 yeas ago. I have since read  Silver Birch don't like to be cut at the top, thinking this could be the cause of the problem or maybe some weed killer has accidentally got into the roots i honestly just don't know.  I am so upset to think it has to come down thank you both for your advice I will look for a tree surgeon.
  

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• Wilderbeast Posts: 1,415

  December 2020

  @eileenmccartney148yR3u-6_A silver birch trees are short lived and really don't like being topped. They tend to rot very quickly once damaged to any extent. People near me had a huge leylandhi hedge about 300mt long and 40ft high with silver birch trees every 20mts or so. The tree surgeon made a right mess lowering the leylandhi down to 10ft and the birch's down to 20ft within 2 years every Birch has succumbed to rot and had to felled to the ground. The 2nd tree surgeons who were really experienced said that its not a good thing to do much to birch trees

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• eileenmccartney148yR3u-6_A Posts: 5

  December 2020

  Thank you for your advice, With tears in my eyes i'm going to give it a hug now.
  

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• eileenmccartney148yR3u-6_A Posts: 5

  December 2020

  Can I plant another a different tree in the same place can any
  

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• BobTheGardener Posts: 11,385

  December 2020

  If you have it taken down by a professional, ask them whether there is any sign of Honey Fungus or Phytophthora present.  If not, you could grow another tree there as long as you have the roots ground out and then add some nourishment back into the soil in the area (well rotted manure is excellent) as the tree will have taken a lot of food out.  It is inadvisable to plant another tree of the same species (just in case there are any species-specific pathogens present in the soil) so another type of tree is a good idea. 

  A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  

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• eileenmccartney148yR3u-6_A Posts: 5

  December 2020

  Thank you Bob

  
  

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• Obelixx Posts: 30,090

  December 2020

  Birches are short lived - 50 to 60 years - and shallow rooted so can be unstable in high winds.  Friends of ours in Belgium had them between their own house and their neighbours and were worried so called in proper tree surgeons to trim the tops and reduce wind resistance.
  
  They now have them trimmed every few years and the trees are fine 20 years later so it can be done but by a qualified and experienced tree surgeon.  Make sure you get a couple of quotes and opinions and that they have qualifications and insurance.

  Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
  

  "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."

  Plato
  

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• Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134

  December 2020

  Yes, don't be distressed. They don't have a long lifespan and from the size of the trunk, I reckon this was probably elderly already, though the topping probably did speed things along. Definitely best to get a proper expert to diagnose and remove, but make sure they also grind down the stump. For replanting, what BobTheGardener says. The world is your oyster. Bare-root trees are definitely best. There are places like this:
  https://www.mailordertrees.co.uk
  

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