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We’ve talked on two occasions about the potential removal of my gigantic rock. Despite all the great suggestions, I still haven’t decided what to do. We’ll discuss the rock again another time. Today, let’s move into the front yard, and talk about trees.
This tree straddled the property line between my neighbor and the town. (Our lots are separated by a path to an elementary school.) We all knew it was dying – leaves had stopped appearing, and huge branches were falling on a fairly regular basis. Finally, last week, the town sent a tree-removal crew.
When it comes to chopping down trees, I’m a novice. I should probably do some intense tree research, but I’m home sick with a 103º fever. (Well, it was 103º about twelve hours ago, and has been falling ever since. But still. Too tired for dendrology.) Any tree experts out there care to provide a diagnosis? Think our other trees are secretly hollow? How can you tell how old a tree was when the tree doesn’t have rings?
One more pic, to give better perspective, after the jump.
Note: If this post doesn’t make sense, just nod politely and go about your day. I may be delirious.
If there are little tunnels in the bark, you may have bark beetles.
posted by melissa on 8-13-2007 at 3:17 pm
a local tree-surgeon (yes, that’s what they’re called) should be able to give you a pretty educated estimate as to how old it was. also, comparable trees in the neighborhood should give you a clue about age.
as for what was wrong with it, any number of things could have spelled its doom. if it had a crotch (intersection of several branches) that would hold water, it could rot it from the inside out. also if there’s been any damage to the tree (from say, a lightning strike, or a nearby tree falling and hitting it) that could have started the rot happening. a disease is more likely to kill it quickly, and that large rotten spot says (to me anyway) that its been dying for a while now.
on a separate note, a friend of mine had a large tree like yours (read: hollow) on her property removed and when it was cut down she realized where he giant cockroach infestation came from as MILLIONS of the suckers came pouring out of the tree when it came down….EEEWWWW!!!
posted by mri on 8-13-2007 at 3:26 pm
ooooh wait a minute. saw the last picture and would say its a 99% chance that the pavement all around it killed it. you need at least 6-7 foot radius around a tree to keep the root system healthy.
posted by mri on 8-13-2007 at 3:29 pm
That definetely looks like heart rot. Did the tree have fungus growing on it or bare spots with no bark?
It would be tough to tell the age of the tree since the heart rotted away. You could calculate an estimate by measuring the tree diameter and multiplying it by the growth factor for it’s species. I don’t know growth factors… you’ll have to google it.
posted by Jason! on 8-13-2007 at 3:49 pm
BTW… I hope you feel better soon!
posted by Jason! on 8-13-2007 at 3:51 pm
Do you know if it was a Sycamore tree? Try a search for “Sycamore” and “Hollow”…it seems that it is common for Sycamore trees to get hollow with age.
posted by Shawn on 8-13-2007 at 3:56 pm
The cause of the tree’s demise is pretty clear to me - someone cut it down!
(Also sick here, that’s probably not as funny as I think it is. Hope we both feel better - or less delirious - soon!)
posted by Amy on 8-13-2007 at 4:13 pm
OOHH - now you can rent a stump grinder to get rid of the rest! Seriously - quite possibly the most fun we’ve had on a home-improvement project was using the stump grinder … We actually considered driving around, just begging people with stumps if they would let us grind theirs too!
posted by Trish on 8-13-2007 at 4:26 pm
I’ve got a stump to grind, two actually. No really! I was wondering if it would be cheaper to do it myself or pay someone. Has anyone compared the cost of renting equipment vs. hiring someone?
posted by micx on 8-13-2007 at 6:07 pm
I just had a tree removed from the fron of my property that looks about like this but maybe double the size of this one. The arboretist (spelled wrong but you get the idea) said that parasites got in and ate the insides which made the bottom hollow and the top solid which is a disaster waiting to happen. My tree was 75 feet tall, a red oak and was planted in 1952. BTW it cost me a BUNDLE to remove. I forget what price he quoted to grind the stump but it was a coupole hundred$$. I decided I am going to remove all the ‘junk’ in the center, lay in the plastic that prevents weeds, fill with top soil and either plant a shrub right into the soil or put in a large ceremic pot with a plant in it.
posted by JaneM on 8-13-2007 at 6:33 pm
nodding
posted by Jason Rehmus on 8-13-2007 at 6:54 pm
We had a 50 yr old Sycamore (they only live about 50 yrs) removed - to the tune of $970…be grateful if you don’t have to pay as much…
a stump grinder works wonders, and then cover it with fresh compost…that will help breakdown the rest of the tree…
with no access to water, its no surprise the thing died…you prob didn’t pave up to the edge of it, but whoever did started the clock ticking on it’s doom…
posted by donner on 8-13-2007 at 8:03 pm
For tree measurements (of age relative to circumference or diameter),check the above link (or google the following: Biggest trees in Delaware… go to the first link, click on the pdf) Go to page six and you’re set.
Enjoy!
posted by David on 8-13-2007 at 8:15 pm
Have you noticed a shortage of cookies and crackers at your local market?
Seen any homeless Elves running around your neighborhood?
I’m sure you’ll hear from the legal department of Keeblers Inc. to give your statement. (note: watch where you step.)
posted by Paul on 8-14-2007 at 7:27 am
My husband was a part owner of tree removal service. You should see him put climbing gear on and head to the top of a 75ft tree with a chain saw.
You will probably not be able to effectively use a stump grinder with all the asphalt around the base. You will probably damage both the blade and the pavement. A stump that size would take less than an hour to remove but you need to find some one with a “small” grinder.
Your other option - Find a straight nitrogen fertilizer (no other additives), the nitrogen will help the wood decay faster than just letting it rot naturally. You can then put some dirt on top of it and in a couple months have some great compost for the garden.
posted by Beth on 8-15-2007 at 9:38 pm