That big oak I saw on a job in Columbus last week...

I was doing a routine pruning at this old property near German Village in Columbus, and there was this massive white oak in the backyard. Must have been at least 60 feet tall with a canopy spread almost as wide. The homeowner pointed out a crack running up the main trunk about 4 feet long... looked like it could split right open in a strong wind. I told them they might need cabling to brace it, but they seemed hesitant about the cost. Has anyone else dealt with a trunk crack like that on a mature oak?

2 comments

2 Comments

val_taylor1d ago

That big oak I saw on a job in Columbus..." cracks me up, honestly, because I've been that homeowner hesitating on the cost of cabling before - and then the branch came down on my shed. From what I've seen, a crack like that on a mature oak is usually a sign the tree is splitting under its own weight, and waiting it out just makes it worse. I'd probably joke that my own cheapness backfired, but in your case, at least you warned them, so you're covered.

mark_fisher481d ago

ugh man, that's rough. I feel you on the cheapness thing, it bites us all sometimes. At least you can sleep knowing you did your job right.