Ok - thank you for the response. I figured it wouldn't be a good idea to leave it up.

Wouldn't be pleasant to look at anyway.

Before you do anything with the tree, remember the natural response for some on this forum, for any tree problem, is to cut it down.

From the pictures, it looks like the tree is in the back of your lot and there is no major buildings for it to damage if it did fall. It looks like there is a little rot on the right side of the cut that may be from the two branches growing together. However the main part of the break looks like good wood.

If you cut it you will be removing a lot of shade in your back yard, and if it is a maple or similar tree, you will be loosing the flowers in the spring, and the leaf color in the fall.

Trees were design to take some damage and still live for a long time. If it were mine I would clean up the break by trim it as smooth as possible so there are minimal places for water to collect and improve the appearance.

There are some trees in our neighborhood that have lost some large limbs but are still providing the function they were planted for. At first some are misshapen, but that only adds interest to your yard. After a few years the tree will fill in and your will not notice the missing limb.

If you go into the woods, you will see many majestic trees that have suffered greater damage than yours, still living and doing their part for the woods.

I am a fan of leaving a dead or dying tree in the woods, and enjoy having them there since they attract a variety of wildlife, but this isn't the woods. I see a nice fence close by and since there is potential for a chunk of it to land on people, buildings, etc., remove it. In response to the missing branches it will put out new growth on the remaining branches, changing the stresses, and you will lose more of it in years to come if not sooner. The combination of danger and unattractiveness makes it an easy decision, and though there will be a cost to removing it, it's cheaper than replacing or repairing a structure along with removing the tree.

Start thinking about what tree(s) you can add to your yard to replace this one. :>)

Thanks for your response, krnuttle.

To the right of this tree, which you can't see, is another equally large maple. They were planted too close by the previous owners. The concern is that there is a fenced-in garden to the left and the neighbors fence and pool behind the tree. If there is a chance that the tree is compromised, I don't want to risk either getting destroyed.

This tree, and the maple next to it, seems to have some disease that makes some of the limbs turn black. I don't know if that is part of the reason the limb fell or not. I guess I just want to be sure, without doubt, that the tree isn't at risk of falling because of this new wound.

Thanks for responding, NHBabs. Yes, there is concern for structure damage, more so because of the neighbors property being close. Seems like the right thing to do is to remove it.

Thanks for everyone's responses!

We cannot determine remotely if there are disease or structural issues that are present that caused such a large section to fall off.......but there is a very strong possibility that something is wrong. You would be best served by contracting with a certified arborist that is well-versed in hazard assessment to determine if the tree should be removed or not. I am guessing with that major of a wound, this is very likely to be the recommendation.

And while the arborist is there, he can check out the other maple. Might end up removing that one too and starting with something new imo. Look into more durable trees.

Thank you, gardengal. I'll see about finding a certified arborist. Appreciate the response.

Thanks, Bill. That would be very costly to remove both trees, but maybe it's necessary. I'll see what they say.

Might seem costly. But worrying about a tree that's famous for rot, being brittle and loosing large sections during storms would be peace of mind to get rid of it. Lot's of beautiful and durable trees, some flowering ornamentals or evergreens that you'd have room for then.

An investment for sure but could raise the value of the property in the long run. Something to think about.

second pic... old major injury healing over ....

be done with it ...

ken

Also in the second pick is what my mature vision sees as occluded bark running down the side of the trunk. If also present on the other side, then the "changes in stresses" that NHbabs mentioned could bring that other branch down quickly. Isn't a third nor'easter due there next week?

tj

TJ - thanks for the response. We shall see, but yes, there is talk of another from Sunday night into Monday. I was surprised we didn't lose any trees with the 19.5" of heavy, wet snow that we got from yesterday's storm.