Tree Trends Pictures

Today is the first day of spring. Our obsessive-compulsive robin (Turdus migratorius) has returned for the third year. This bird spends hours every day attacking and/or mating with its reflection in the window and side mirror of my truck. Here are a few pictures of him (or go to this story for larger pictures: "The obsessive bird").

We often encounter trees that present a risk to property owners. The decision to take the tree down or to try to mitigate the risk is one of the most important ones that a homeowner and arborist can make.We often encounter trees that may present a risk to property owners. The decision to take the tree down or to try to mitigate the risk is one of the most important ones that a homeowner and arborist can make. Here we have a mature white ash (Fraxinus americana) that has two codominant stems with included bark between them. A pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) has been making feeding holes along the seam of included bark between the stems (top figure). There is a decay pocket on the side opposite this photo. The question is, do we recommend removal of the tree or mitigate the risk by cabling and bracing? We examined the tree and took two readings with a Resistograph (bottom right figure). Our initial impression was that the tree may not have enough sound wood. But the Resistograph showed us that both codominant stems were quite sound and that decay was limited to the seam. We recommended to the landowners that a cable and brace could lend stability to the tree and possibly prolong its life. I'll post more about this tree as work continues.