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Old 10-30-2008, 06:39 AM
jerome951 jerome951 is offline
 
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Default Is there a (tree) doctor in the house?

Well, Monday's winds did some damage to the tree in my front yard (it's some type of non-fruit-bearing pear). Took out over 1/3 of the branches.

I've removed the downed limbs but I'm concerned about the trunk being open like that and exposed to insects and water. I'm also not sure if the dark areas of the bark are from disease.
Should I call an expert?
Could they patch/seal it with this much damage?
If so, can anyone recommend an arborist?

I really don't want to lose the tree as I'm about to put the house on the market.
I thought about putting racer's tape over it but I don't a roll that big.

On the bright side, there will be fewer leaves to rake....
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Old 10-30-2008, 07:18 AM
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Jerome,

They used to put a patch material on wounds. I believe the current belief is this can provide a shelter for pests and fungus when it dries out and pulls away from the wound. Just make sure there is a clean cut where you remove the limb (don't tear it down and off) leave it open and let the tree heel the wound naturally. It will grow a bark scab over the area in time. Bartlett Pears are suspectable to this because they grow so dense with limbs. They are vulnerable to wind, ice, snow, etc weighing them down. This limb had a bad crotch, which caught water and promotted rot and was bound to split off eventually. An arborist may have done preventive removal on such a formed limb.
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Old 10-30-2008, 07:47 AM
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FWIW, Bradford Pears are popular builder trees; cheap, look nice, and grow fast. But they are notorious for breaking. I believe what happens is the trunk tends to split early, and if the branches aren't regularly pruned back, the mass gets too much for the split trunk to support. Many broken trees you see after windy storms are Bradford Pears.

Here's one of many sites found with a Google search:

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/191/

My advise is either cut the whole thing down, or begin a pruning program for what's left.
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Old 10-30-2008, 08:25 AM
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What board is this again?

That looks like a nasty break. I think with a little patience Kurt can probably TIG that back together. A little grinding work on the weld bead to smooth things out and would-be buyers will never notice. Good luck.
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Old 10-30-2008, 08:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Clements View Post
What board is this again?

That looks like a nasty break. I think with a little patience Kurt can probably TIG that back together. A little grinding work on the weld bead to smooth things out and would-be buyers will never notice. Good luck.
Oh, like YOU'VE never asked an off-topic question?? Wait.... you haven't.

I've got a MIG welder. I'll buy some wood wire and give it a shot first before calling Kurt. The welds won't look as good as Kurt's but the rough bark texture should make them less pronounced.

Thanks for all the useful advice so far. Since the house is going on the market soon I'll try Kevin's advice of cleaning up the wound and hoping it survives.
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Old 10-30-2008, 10:25 AM
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But what gas and wire are you going to use.

I agree with Tony on the pruning. Most fruit trees require it for best health. Apples are especially vulnerable.

From looking at your tree, it may have had the problem of having more than one leader (primary branch, or whatever you want to call it). Its best whan there is a strong center and branches coming off close to 90 degrees. The branch near the one that broke looks vulverable as well. FWIW, this may have been a good thing for the long term health of the tree, as long as no infestation occurs. It should strengthen it.

I can remember what they use to cover exposed areas, but considering its size I would protect the damaged area.
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Old 10-30-2008, 10:29 AM
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I just had a big bradford pear removed from my back yard earlier in the week. One limb came down in a storm over the summer, and another was 'resting' on the ground. Since you are selling, best to band-aid the wound. If you were going to be in the house for the long-term, removal and replacement with a 'better' tree would be a good way to go.
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Old 10-30-2008, 10:49 AM
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Any ideas what would be a better replacement tree that still looks nice and flowers?

I have one in the front of my yard and will be staying put for a LONG time and might as well eliminate future issues.
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Old 10-30-2008, 11:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JmuRiz View Post
Any ideas what would be a better replacement tree that still looks nice and flowers?

I have one in the front of my yard and will be staying put for a LONG time and might as well eliminate future issues.

I enjoy the dogwoods on and near my property. They are not very fast growers, but they last a long time and have very pretty flowers.
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Old 10-30-2008, 11:32 AM
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Monday was a bad day for Bradfords. What Mother Nature started, My chain saw finished. The hard part is getting the stump removed. Attached by chain 6500 pounds of 4 x 4 pick up, and couldn't budge it :XX.
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