Large broken branch questions.

[mccoyn]

My parents have a very large oak tree. Last week after a day of storms the largest branch broke off. The circumfrence of the branch was 82 inches, so I figure its about 2 1/2 feet thick.

Does anyone had any tips on how to protect the tree from further damage? There is about a half square foot area of rotted wood exposed at the joint where it broke.

My second question is about clean up. The branch is still partially attached to the tree and we can't figure out a way to safely cut it down without some expensive equipment.

Here's a picture of my dad standing on the broken branch.

[GardeningGal]

1. Wow......for that one, I think I'd get a professional

I have no experience with branches of that size. But I would think it's going to take a good sized chain saw and someone that knows exactly where to cut. They also haul it away for you.

[Blue Gardener]

2. Contact your county extension office

Our local extension service has a "Tree lady" who will come to your house and offer advice for free. You need to make sure the tree is not rotted all the way through. If so it should be taken down. People have been called by large branches, or whole trees, falling on them.

[Blue Gardener]

5. Sorry, meant to say killed by large branches

Shouldn't post so early in the morning.

[Kolesar]

3. First of all, tell Dad he can come down now

My hunch is that the tree will have a hard time dealing with a large open tear like that. It might be on its last years now. I like the post about getting free advice. I cannot tell you much more.

[babylonsister]

4. Don't forget to save for firewood if you have a fireplace. We had

to cut down an old oak tree because it's roots were infringing on the neighbor's foundation. We hired a professional and it wasn't as expensive as we would have thought.

[bleedingheart]

6. if the entire thing isn't rotted...it might be worth some $$$

I hate to say this but if the tree is near death...then you might want to see if someone will cut it out for free or even pay you. Trees that size, especially oaks, cherry..etc are worth a great deal of money... Then you could plant some younger trees in its place or near where it stood to begin anew...

A lady up the street from me got a few thousand dollars for her Cherry tree. It was immense...I would say at least 300 years old...and it was getting a bit unstable...instead of letting it fall on her house...she had it cut out and made a profit. She then relandscaped the entire area.

I hate to see old trees die but you don't want anyone to get hurt or for it to cause a lot of damage.

[FloridaPat]

7. I had something like that happen. The oak tree split in 2.

We had a profession come in and cut up half the tree. Then he trimmed the remaining tree. It survived 3 hurricanes 2 years ago and is still standing

[Imalittleteapot]

8. Call in an arborist.

That is a wonderful old tree! A professional can advise and fix the problem if it is fixable.