I would stick with the sugar maple. They are common but great trees and few can compete with them for fall color. David

I feel your pain. I had three of these beauties - each over 100 years old - in the backyard of my old house. We sold the house and the new owners removed one of them for a patio!!

There is simply no tree in North America more beautiful than a mature sugar maple in full autumn color.

A sugar maple doesn't grow as slow as many hardwoods. The site worked well for the tree that you are removing, so it will likely work well for a new sugar maple. Just be certain that whatever disease the current tree has is not communicable to the new tree.

Thank you, David and Badgering.

I don't see any sign of disease, but it does look like the main branch (is it called the "leader") had taken a lightening strike at some point in the past several years. The trunk, about 10 feet off the ground, looks a little charred and blackened on the south side of the tree. From that point up, for a distance of several feet, it is rather charred looking on that side. Above that, this main "branch" looks obviously dead and full of woodpecker holes.

All the side branches have gorgeous, lush leaves. If you didn't go to the south side of the tree and look up, you'd never think there was anything wrong. This past spring the power company came along and removed those branches that were threatening the power lines. This revealed the main interior and the damage. I can't be sure, but I don't think it is diseased. But I'll check with the local cooperative extension to be sure.

Badgering, I'm so sorry that the new owners took one of your old maples down. That's so sad. If I had bought your house that tree would still be there. I can't think of too many good reasons for taking down a mature healthy tree.

I'd rather have that gorgeous tree than another dead common patio. Or, I'd build the patio around the tree.

Thank you again!

1. There is NO worthy replacement for an old sugar maple.

2. Despite what you've been told, I'd plant a replacement sugar maple to be on the safe side; but I'd let the old tree stand until it drops of its own volition, not cut it's life short because someone thinks it is dogmeat.It doesn't sound to me to be that strong a candidate for tree heaven.

Go with an Autumn Blaze Maple. Urban Tree of the year. Fast growing, awesome color, the good from both a Red and a Silver Maple with out the Bad.

Google Autumn Blaze Maple. Awesome trees.

Also - I feel your pain and am sad when I see ANY tree go down.

They are one the the largest living things on earth.

Remember - planting a tree is giving a gift to the next generations.

Sounds worth keeping to me. But get an independent opinion from an ISA-registered arboricultural consultant who is not also looking for trees to cut for income.

Resin

I have a badly-damaged ~50yr old Sugar maple (~28 in. dia) that is close to the house, but not a threat. It's actually recovering slightly overall, but parts are even now still dying. This was caused by previous owners' downright vandalism by wrapping the trunk in barbed wire. The wire is deep down now, embedded, but the trunk was seriously girdled & the largest leader died -- more than half the crown.

Point is, it could still conceivably outlive me at this property while still providing vital shade to the SW of the house in summer. I have no intention of cutting it down until it dies. I've planted an American & Chinese elm, and a Dawn redwood close by to "take over" when the Sugar maple goes.

Naturally you have to evaluate for yourself the safety considerations of your situation.

"previous owners' downright vandalism by wrapping the trunk in barbed wire"

That's going to be a nightmare to cut when it does finally die!

Resin

Lionheart it sounds like an incredible tree. Would you please post of picture of it? I just want to see it before it goes.

I agree that you should replace it with another maple. I thought sugar maples were fast growers? Maybe I'm thinking of silver maple.

You said you'd like to replace it w/a large speciman. I don't think you need to spend $10,000 dollars. I think you can get a respectable size for a few grand. Of course, you can go much less. You could probably get a nice size for $500 or less. Shopping will be the fun part, and fall is a great time to plant trees (and get good bargains). =)

I would have the chain hitch removed when the tree goes down & save it. Then I would install a post with the chain hitch in it & create a little garden around it. Or I suppose you could just put it next to the new tree. I just think that a memory should be salvaged. Your history w/this tree is very important.

Best of luck.

Forget "Autumn Blaze." I'd stick with another Sugar Maple.

Thank you all for your kind remarks and opinions.

Hey there, Mehearty. I posted pics over in the gallery. Link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tree Pictures

Oh it's beautiful! But yuck, the damage looks bad. Thank you for letting me know about the pics. I giggled reading that taking one of the pics almost made you dizzy. I've done that to myself many times trying to get a good upshot of a tree. =)

Bless its woody heart.