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<br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />1. Examine the Top and Crown <br /> <br />· Differences In Species <br /> <br />Some species are simply <br />more brittle than others. This <br />is one reason why city <br />ordinances sometimes <br />prohibit or discourage trees <br />such as willows, box elders <br />and silver maple. Plant these <br />trees only in open areas. If <br />they already exist on your <br />property. a minimum <br />precaution would be to avoid <br />locating play areas or patios <br />beneath these trees. <br /> <br /> <br />. What's the Tree's History <br /> <br /> <br />Sometimes past events warn of <br />potential trouble. For example. <br />previous topping will almost invari~ <br />ably result in weakly attached re- <br />growth. Similarly, broken branches <br />with stubs un-pruned. or sprout-like <br />regrowth after storm damage, set the <br />stage for breakage. Recent, seemingly <br />unexplained loss of large limbs may <br />also be a sign of internal problems. <br /> <br />~~~ <br /> <br />. Are There Dead Branches? <br /> <br />Loggers call these "widow. <br />makers" and treat them with <br />great respect. Homeowners <br />should do likewise. Dead limbs <br />are an accident waiting to <br />happen. They can fall in the <br />slightest breeze, v....hen a mower <br />bumps the tree, or a child <br />climbs in it. They sometimes <br />give \lvay even on a calm day. <br />Dead limbs are a red-flag signal <br />for prompt action. <br /> <br /> <br />. Do Some Branches Cross or Rub? <br /> <br /> <br />Branches that cross or rub <br />invariably lead to weak spots. <br />These should be pruned off as <br />soon as they are spotted. and <br />the smaller the better. <br /> <br />. How Vigorous is the Tree? <br /> <br />· Is the Tree Dead <br />or Dying? <br /> <br /> <br />'With the exception of trees for <br />wildlife where structures or <br />human traffic are absent or rare, j <br />dead and dying trees should be <br />promptly removed. Felling a <br />large tree is extremely danger- <br />ous. Call an expert to do the job. <br /> <br />Why Branches Break <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Evaluating a tree's vigor is <br />somewhat subjective. However, <br />experts say it is the surest early <br />warning that there is a serious <br />health problem in a tree. Vigor <br />is reflected in the amount of <br />leaf cover, and leaf size, color <br />and condition. By comparing <br />your tree with others of like <br />size, you will be able to detect <br />a less vigorous crown. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />Large limbs can be weakened by <br />rubbing, unrepaired storm damage, or <br />poor pruning of side branches. The <br />limb responds by forming barrier <br />zones around each wound. These are <br />weak spots that sometimes snap under <br />the pressure of wind or ice. <br /> <br />A break at the branch collar is <br />part of normal self-pruning, often <br />caused by decay. Regular inspec- <br />tions for decay at branch junc- <br />tions, followed by pruning, can <br />prevent unexpected breakage. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Supporting trunk tissue some- <br />times gives way under stress. <br />More research is needed to <br />determine exactly why, but <br />allowing large, horizontal limbs <br />to develop may put unreason- <br />able demands on the tree. <br /> <br />TREt: CIn liS." Bl.:LLETIr'ti r'tio. 15. National Arbor Day Foundation. 3 <br />