WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST?
Down goes this old sugar maple near Margaretville, Delaware County. I have been watching this maple tree for almost 15 years. Low crotches or tight-unions on large trees like this one are always susceptible of breaking apart since each stem/leader grows into the other. Also, water freezing and thawing in these tight spaces further leads to decay and failure as well. To remedy such a condition, a tree should be pruned early in life or cabled later on to reduce splitting.
Ryan Trapani
Director of Forest Services
Catskill Forest Association