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EsNightingale t1_jd85rg2 wrote

Reply to comment by ApiContraption in PsBattle: An old oak tree by fakeaccount572

What has actually happened to this tree here? Looks damaged.

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Gauge45 t1_jd868hs wrote

Probably either got half blown down by storm winds or struck my lightning but no evidence of lightning damage. Probably just got too big on one side for its own good and fell over in the wind

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Gauge45 t1_jd86fyk wrote

The bulges on the damaged part indicate that it is trying to heal itself though, so still very much alive.

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Dirty_Frenchman t1_jd8fp1q wrote

Yes, but trees don't heal , they compartmentalize. That wound has been open for some time and the tree is unable to fully close it. It will begin to rot from the wound inward as water, disease, pests, and other fun things begin to make their way inside until the trunk is soft enough it falls over in the next storm.

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fakeaccount572 OP t1_jdcifyx wrote

Good to know, since we typically get 40+ mph gusts here in this neighborhood.

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Dirty_Frenchman t1_jd8fheh wrote

You're absolutely correct. This is a Norway maple (maybe a red maybe actually?) And they tend to get splitty due to bad structure where branches meet.

Look into "bark inclusion" if you're curious.

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oldmasterluke t1_jd8foip wrote

To me, it looks like someone cut a very valuable burl off the tree, which is a previous heal. They are valuable to woodworkers and are sometimes poached by assholes.

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TurboShorts t1_jd8pamw wrote

Definitely just storm damage. If someone cut it, you'd see a solid surface that the saw cut through. Idk where reddit gets the idea that people commonly poach burls for woodwork, lol it literally never happens where I live/work

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keestie t1_jdail6z wrote

You are 100% correct, this was obviously storm damage and not a cut.

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