treevet

I was referring to both "significant trees" and the AF tree in my post. Winds do not always blow sideways. A 500 year old oak on my block was recently hit by a downshear and it deposited an approximately 8000 pound branch in the middle of a roof. I have read about the AF tree for many years. Decay detection has brought it to the brink of removal and what appeared to be a clumsy attempt at canopy reduction. I am currently reading "Fungal Strategies of Wood Decay in Trees", Schwarze, Engels, Mattheck. It is impressive what decay causing organisms do to the cell structure in trees. I think there is a transition time where it must be difficult to detect the deterioration that is very important. It is often thought that there is a void (cavity) or there is good wood by the naive.
They (the public for the most part) think that if the tree is physiologically healthy and aesthetically pleasing/ important then how could there be a structural impasse.

While on a plane to Salt Lake City a few years ago to an NBA game, we were hit by a series of 3 downshears. It was like dropping off the highest peak on a roller coaster ride. All the full plane screamed as if on a rollercoaster but when I looked around there were no smiles on any faces. A long line was at the bathroom throwing up. Trees need to be able to cope with these extremes and if one life is lost in the name of a plant being "saved" that is significant that has a finite life span anyway IMO it is wrong.