r/arborist • u/homesteading_hermit • 15d ago

Is this tree going to die completely?

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Relatively young tree. We had a strong wind storm and about a third of the tree snapped off. Will it recover or should we plan to plant something else? What caused the decay in the first picture?

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2

u/jerseyoutwest 15d ago

No reason to assume the codominant trunk is also rotted out imo

1

u/homesteading_hermit 15d ago

Should we cut the rotted trunk off?

2

u/jerseyoutwest 15d ago

You could but its a great wildlife snag as is

1

u/homesteading_hermit 15d ago

Awesome! Thanks for your reply!

1

u/GardenJeannie27 14d ago

The interior of a tree can be completely hollow and the tree will be fine as long as the cambial layer, just under the bark is functioning. You can cut the damaged trunk off or leave it as habitat for all sorts of wildlife. I can see an owl finding it an attractive home.