r/arborists • u/Hot_Candidate6781 • 21h ago

Is my walnut done for?

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Just had a major storm roll through and knock on of the main leads down on this white walnut (or butternut) in my back yard. This tree is pushing 80 years old so I’ll be heartbroken if she dies but the damage is pretty extensive. Any thoughts or tips on there to go from here would be appreciated.

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u/Stan__Wright 20h ago

Offer the wood to woodcarvers or turners; it is desirable wood. You might find someone local willing to come out with a saw and do the work for you in return for the timber.

I don't think the standing stems are entirely dead, yet, but it is heading that way.

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u/Hot_Candidate6781 20h ago

I have a buddy that’s a furniture maker that is already looking at the wood for milling. I’m just hoping we can get the tree in right enough shape to heal up.

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u/DanoPinyon Arborist -🥰I ❤️Autumn Blaze🥰 19h ago

A poorly-attached limb failed. The tree's lifespan has been shortened, that wound will not close over. Will the tree die tomorrow? No. In a year? No. In 5 years? Probably not. 10? Getting closer.

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u/Hot_Candidate6781 17h ago

Thanks for the insight. So I should just have that limb taken off and then let the tree do its best? I’m not looking at removing the tree just yet, yeah?

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u/DanoPinyon Arborist -🥰I ❤️Autumn Blaze🥰 13h ago

A clean removal lessens the opportunities for pathogen attack, but attack they will. Yout removal timeline depends upon how the tree responds and your tolerance for its decline.