Branching Out Tree Service, Madison Alabama

Tree forensics-large limb failure due to crossing limbs.

Large red maple tree approximately 30 to 40 years old, lost a very large limb (it was as large as a medium size tree) in the storms last night. The diameter of the limb was approximately the same as the trunk- 17”. The aspect ratio is approximately 1:1, and would generally indicate a weaker union. Conversely, the shape of the union was more U-shaped versus V-shaped. This can indicate a stronger union. The unusual factor here was the limb broke not at the union, but about three or 4 feet up. There was a crossing limb that had embedded itself into the top of the failed limb. It looked as if someone had taken the chainsaw and started cutting and then it split down from there. This is one of the reasons arborists will remove crossing limbs when properly pruning a tree… To avoid failures on down the road like this.

Cause:
1- High winds
2- large limb acting as a wind sail fully leafed
3- The “weakest link” on the limb was a defect caused by crossing limbs