Noticed a pretty large crack in a very large chinese elm this weekend. Been pretty windy here today and the crack is getting bigger. Id guess when the wind turns and come back out of the north ill have a whole lot of elm to limb,buck and split. I took some videos too, kinda unnerving watching the two huge branches move half of the whole tree. The two large branches on the side of the tree are where the crack is. Measures 48" dbh, gets larger where it splits to 4 mains. One brokes before we moved here over 6 years ago. Figured thats what allowed water to decay the bottom.
I had a maple tree like that. Utility company took it down, as it could have fallen on power lines, if split. That was a number of years ago. They left the wood behind. Is there anything within the fall radius?
I think it will fall in pretty open area. Might take out part of a split rail fence. Not sure it will hurt the limestone retaining wall, dont think so. I could be wrong though, usually am as a matter of fact.
That'll make some nice heat for sure. I think I'd be inclined to take it down in a controlled manner if possible.
You're probably right to try and control its fall. Just not real sure ill have the time before the weekend to do it. Was trying to determine if i should park any vehicles under it or not. I think ill pass on that this time.
I just finished cutting one up that had 3 big leaders. 40" at the base, it would've pancaked a car or truck really well.
I really like tackling those big elms if’n they are inclined to want to go in a safe open direction. Don’t look like there’s much dead in it yet, so it’ll be a while before it is dry enough to burn. But it will be great heat when it is ready. You’ll probably get plenty of uglies when you split it. That tree looks like it would be close to a whole season worth of heat for me. I’d be on it like a chicken on a June bug.
Thats the sad part is it really doesnt have much dead on it. Just the one old leader. Ill definitely miss the shade. However, the bright side is two years ago it would have all gone into the brush pile. Now since i have an wood hoarder addition it will keep my family warm in a few years.
Those Chinese elm like that do give a lot of shade, but also are kinda messy yard trees. Always shedding small twigs and branches. I want to see lots of progress pictures if/when you tackle it
I have a whole 200ft row of those garbage trees, some healthy, others half dead, most are growing so far over my neighbors yard I can't even figure out how they hold themselves up. Now to play devil's advocate here...are we actually talking about Siberian Elm?
Probably.... at least for me. I don’t really know one elm from the next, I think I know what an American elm is. And guess I use Siberian & Chinese interchangeably. I googled the elm species not to long ago & only got more confused I just know that elms are my most readily available “good firewood” trees
My tree guy always calls my row of elms Chinese elms...but they are definitely Siberian. I'm not sure where the common mix up comes from. Chinese elms are pretty dang rare though. Sandhillbilly is absolutely right though that they are a messy yard tree. Mine are always rocking & rolling in the wind and they definitely make me nervous sometimes.
I think you are correct on Siberian elm. I know ive thrown those two terms around synonymously before too. Typically everyone knows what tree is meant. However, would you have clicked if the title was large Siberian crack? Doesn't have near the allure, eh? Still standing today, even with winds out of the north. Still crazy watching all that weight wiggle back and forth.
