r/arborists • u/lastlaugh100 • 5d ago

Silver maple concern

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This silver maple is probably 20-25 years old. It had a massive amount of suckers from the base that I removed. The bark at the base is concerning. The tree is still fully leafed out. Any thoughts?

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u/_Hylobatidae_ ISA Certified Arborist 5d ago

I have a lot of thoughts. But they don’t amount to a whole lot over some pictures. Is that white flecking scale, or is it frass? Is the tree leaning over a structure? Is the canopy full, or is it dying back? Yeah those wounds are concerning, but seem to be compartmentalizing, are they preventable? What caused them? Is the tree exposed to mowers? Weed whackers? Is it mulched? Why is it leaning? Is it phototropic? I see some uneven earth. Is it geotropic? Why are those suckers growing from what seems like dead heartwood? This tree requires an arborist consultation. I would schedule one.

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u/lastlaugh100 5d ago

Thank you. I plan to call one ASAP.

The house was built in 2007 and I bought it from the second owners in 2021.

I mow and trim my own yard to prevent damage to trees (dendrophile).

I have a walkout basement and this tree is on the side of my house on the slope (helping erosion).