Gardening and Horticulture - Spruce weak at fork
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Spat
07-24-09, 09:51 AM
We have a Engleman Spruce 75-80’ tall near the front of our house. A couple of weeks ago it took it took a minor or indirect lightning strike. The fork is about 15-20 feet up and before the lightning strike we saw no issues with the tree. The strike blew a 2 long strips of bark and a lot of small chunks of bark off. We immediatley notice a small crack downward about 1 foot from the fork that is visable form the ground.
One horticulturist that came to evaluate the tree advised to bolt it at just below the fork and run 2 cables up the fork to secure it. Another just wants to set 3 cables 10' apart up from the fork. A 3rd tree company advisor said he's do nothing, doesn't look that bad and would take a wait and see stance. An alternative is to remove the tree altogether but none thought it necissary at this time.
Our concerns really escalated this week when a very nasty thunder storm ripped throught the Denver area and all around us there were trees and spruces uprooted, trunks snapped and limb breakage. We felt extremely lucky in both instances.
I am looking for information and thoughts on how to procede. Thanks for any input
John
One horticulturist that came to evaluate the tree advised to bolt it at just below the fork and run 2 cables up the fork to secure it. Another just wants to set 3 cables 10' apart up from the fork. A 3rd tree company advisor said he's do nothing, doesn't look that bad and would take a wait and see stance. An alternative is to remove the tree altogether but none thought it necissary at this time.
Our concerns really escalated this week when a very nasty thunder storm ripped throught the Denver area and all around us there were trees and spruces uprooted, trunks snapped and limb breakage. We felt extremely lucky in both instances.
I am looking for information and thoughts on how to procede. Thanks for any input
John