trees are great, but they can also cause damage!
Watch out for damage, structural defects, or fungi and disease affecting your tree!
Here we have a perfect example of included bark.
This is caused by two Co-dominant stems growing against each other.
Best course of action would be one of two options
-Have a cabling system installed for increased stability OR
-Have the least favorable leader/stem removed. (Preferably early on in it's younger age, for less stress)
In MOST cases at some point, this tree will fail at this location due to a lack of solid wood, it may seem like a solid piece, but in fact these two co-dom's are entirely separate, and pushing against one another. It often leaves the inside of the tree without any good holding wood on the tension side of the stems. Making it much easier for them to split at the included area.
IF IT LOOKS LIKE A SEAM, IT MORE THAN LIKELY IS!
Let's look at some mechanical damage and fungi issues
Mechanical Damage
In this image you can tell this tree was hit by some sort of machine or maybe an animal chipped away at the bark causing a wound in the tree.
You can also see that the wound has successfully Callused over (Healed) the vascular system in the area. The tree can live safely in terms of feeding itself like this, but the worry is that the tree is now in a weaker structural state.
Now that there is a hole to the inner part of the tree, decay can take place and pests may take advantage of this.
Fungi or Fruiting bodies
Sometimes a fungus may not mean bad news. But alot of the time it can, and theres no way to be sure of the state of the infection without some sort of test.
Usually Resistograph, to notice any decay behind the fungus above. With time these fungi can infiltrate the tree and decay wood to use for themselves. This resorts in a much weaker area of wood, leaving the tree more open to Fail. This is especially a problem when in the Basal area of the tree. Whether its buttress roots or the Root Flare
IF you have any of these issues in your trees, we highly recommend hiring a professional to either take a look, or to have the problems fixed. Sometimes this may be a full removal of a tree, but maybe not. With our professional approach we can leave you with options.