That’s what the tree guy said about the dark gash in the center of the trunk toward the top of the photo, in defense of taking down this tree. Anyone with some expertise in this area able to confirm or dispute this assessment? (There are other problems, too; this is not the only justification for taking it down.)
By the way, ON1 did an amazing job (Perfect Eraser) of taking away a couple of distractions from the original image.
Retired economics professor (“dismal scientist”). Married 40+ years to the love of my life; we have two grown daughters, both married, two granddaughters and a...
Great shot of the textures. I have a Sweetgum tree that was struck by lightening. You can still see the burn marks on it and the bark is gone in that spot.
If you’re taking it down, I assume you will have an arborist do so? Honestly, some issues are difficult to diagnose until you take them down. I had one removed due some superficial problems and the interior had a large hollow space.
@danette Don't know what makes an arborist and arborist, but it's this guy's living. His dad started the "tree service" (whom we used before), so he grew up with it, though it's not the same as formal training. It was not a case of "a guy with a chain saw"! You can see in the earlier post — https://365project.org/rhoing/365/2023-02-18 — that the trees are unbalanced: the growth *between* the two trunks is very thin, making them susceptible to falling- or blowing-over. It's time!
@rhoing arborists have certifications and must follow particular guidelines. I’m sure you trust your guy. I’ve had dozens of trees removed over the years and planted more. In our area, there are many tree trimmers without the knowledge. Your area is different.
@danette I showed “my guy” this photo I took in Massachusetts last year, https://365project.org/rhoing/365/2022-12-20
His reaction: “I wonder if their insurance company knows they do this” (possibly paraphrased). My suspicion is that insurance/bonding requirements may differ from state to state.
I also looked up arborist requirements and it varies. Seven states require a license to operate independently (CA, CT, ME, MD, LA, RI, HI)... Some require a CDL if the specialization involves driving heavy vehicles such as tractors or trucks.
In this instance, we just wanted the 30ish-year old trees removed.
We did have some landscape design proposals many years ago, https://365project.org/tags/landscape%20design
and I wouldn't be opposed to having someone give us a makeover, but that's an expense and we don't expect to be climbing the stairs for many more years in this house. I've been trying to transition the flower beds to native plants, but that's been a non-professional, several-seasons process.
@rhoing that MA photo was pretty scary. We have so many "fly-by-night" people here, I wouldn't hire anyone other than a certified arborist. I have a friend in TX who has a business, too, and he is always talking about only hiring arborists. I have seen so many trees hatracked or ruined due to poor cutting. We have some tough city foresters around here who also dictate what goes on. I have had really good relationships with the ones in our city.
In your instance, you had someone you trusted and he successfully removed two large trees near your house!
BTW, insurance companies are now dictating to us when we have to remove or trim trees.
You seem to be doing the right thing with your landscaping. It does get expensive! I would like to update some of what we have with the thought of selling in the "near-ish" future.
October 23rd, 2023
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![Finally figured out a repair strategy [Filler]](https://media.365project.org/1/9512971_befiknou17_sq.jpg "Finally figured out a repair strategy [Filler]")
His reaction: “I wonder if their insurance company knows they do this” (possibly paraphrased). My suspicion is that insurance/bonding requirements may differ from state to state.
I also looked up arborist requirements and it varies. Seven states require a license to operate independently (CA, CT, ME, MD, LA, RI, HI)... Some require a CDL if the specialization involves driving heavy vehicles such as tractors or trucks.
In this instance, we just wanted the 30ish-year old trees removed.
We did have some landscape design proposals many years ago,
https://365project.org/tags/landscape%20design
and I wouldn't be opposed to having someone give us a makeover, but that's an expense and we don't expect to be climbing the stairs for many more years in this house. I've been trying to transition the flower beds to native plants, but that's been a non-professional, several-seasons process.
In your instance, you had someone you trusted and he successfully removed two large trees near your house!
BTW, insurance companies are now dictating to us when we have to remove or trim trees.
You seem to be doing the right thing with your landscaping. It does get expensive! I would like to update some of what we have with the thought of selling in the "near-ish" future.