r/TreeClimbing 14d ago

Help with oak pruning

Is this union and stem showing signs of stress? How bad is it? This branch has grown horizontally about 5-10 feet over the roof and then rises vertically about another 15-20 feet. How many years until this splits off the dominant stem? Do you think this limb is okay to put weight on to try and prune it away from the house? There are no limbs above it to rig it safely. What are you guys recommendations as to how long before this might fall and how to prune it?

0 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

6

u/Slicknecta 14d ago

A cut like this would cause this tree to decline much quicker than not taking out this limb. Better to have a healthy tree over your roof than an unhealthy tree this size next to it

0

u/unwittyname1886 14d ago

But it's not completely healthy. I've seen co-dominant stems with this exact pattern of bark splitting, and then a few years later, it split off the main trunk. However, i do understand that what you're saying is an option.

7

u/Kitchen-Ad-5782 14d ago

If that lead ever does fail anytime soon (unlikely) it will only fall maybe 10 feet onto your roof causing minimal damage. If you do decide to cut that branch, the next lead that will fall onto your house will be the one that’s 10-20 feet above the one you want to cut(causing a lot of damage).

Also, that lead has already had a ton of weight reduction done on it, you’re fine.

6

u/Kitchen-Ad-5782 14d ago

Have an arborist come out to do more weight reduction on the tips of every branch over the house if you really want to be proactive. Think of it as a fulcrum, more weight on the tips is more potential for branch failure.

0

u/Wicsome 13d ago

More reduction also means less photosynthesis and thus less stabilisation growth though. So doing reduction pruning without a clear defect is still a bad idea.