My favorite tree has to go

[Mizmoon]

A huge sugar maple in my yard that is probably 50 years old has to be cut down. Tree guy says it can't be saved.

It's a beautiful tree and all the birds love it and there is a squirrel who lives there who we call Chickpea (yeah, we named a squirrel). They'll be out of a home.

I'm in the suburbs - I always complain that this area will turn into a concrete jungle if people kleep cutting the trees down. Now I'm part of the problem :cry:

[crispini]

1. Get a second opinion.

Not all tree guys are created equal. There is a company called "Preservation Tree" which I use who are very, very conservative about trees, real arborists. I'd get somebody like them before I took the word of Joe Tree Guy. :shrug:

[Mizmoon]

2. well, he pulled the bark off and it's riddled with holes

Turns out it has termites. It's a goner. And my wallet is going to be a lot lighter too.

[crispini]

3. Ooo. Yeah, sounds bad.

My condolences. Plant two new ones, that'll make you feel better at least.

[Benhurst]

4. Good suggestion. A friend of mine had a sugar maple which

"had to go" according to the tree "expert" -- that was over twenty years ago. It's still standing, while several of its "healthy" neighbors have long-since fallen down and have been burned as firewood.

[wtmusic]

5. They told me that too

with a beautiful old black walnut in my backyard. Very infested.

As a last resort I sprayed the hell out of it with Diazinon (ugh) and tarred over the holes. Danged if it didn't come back in a few years.

[BikeWriter]

6. Ack! Sorry to hear it! Is it big enough to saw up...

and cure some wood? You might find someone who could use part of it for furniture.

[Mizmoon]

7. Firewood if nothing else

we do go through a lot of it.

[BikeWriter]

10. Maple is such a pretty wood, too.

[CottonBear]

8. Consult and Urban Forester or an ISA certified arborist first!

The "local tree guy" may not know enough to advise you.
I've taken the Urban Tree Management course (School of Forestry) at my state university. Tree mangement has evolved greatly in the past decade. Get a professional second opinion!

edit: If the tree has to go, plant 2-4 more in its place! Good Luck! :)

[CottonBear]

9. dupe. deleted.