Cherry Tree - Ice Damage

[jimmer2880]

I need some help. I have a Cherry tree who's main trunk is about 20-24" in diameter. During the last ice storm that came through the area, I lost about a 10" main branch. This branch was responsible for the center 1/3 of the leaf coverage of the entire tree. There are tiny buds starting to form on the smallest branches, so I need to decide quickly what I need to do.

If possible, I'd like to save it. However, from the best that I can tell, this tree is going on 30 years old (basing this on the age of the house. I'm the 2nd owner). I have 2 concerns.

1) At the Y where the branch broke off, I'm concerned that the other side is now very weak and will also snap soon

2) How many years will it take to fill in the center 1/3 of the tree?

Also, I'm clueless as to how to trim the tree (as you can tell from the pictures). What should I do to the rest of the trim to aid in the rehab process.

Or, is all of this for nothing and should I just cut it down and start new?

I'll upload the pic's as soon as they sync from my phone.

Thank you

 

[jimmer2880]

The pics can also be viewed here on google plus. https://plus.google.com/photos/106210273685607171558/albums/5978118502184054081

 

[dave1949]

Is the cherry tree to the north of the line of conifers? It looks like the cherry tree is reaching for light, which will only add to its fairly extreme weight distribution.

I would reduce the weight on the horizontally extending main limbs by slowly trimming back or eliminating some branches from those. Try to get a strong leader or two growing more vertically near the main trunk. Give it some light to encourage growth. It will take years I think.

I'm not a tree surgeon, so take this advice for what it's worth.

 

[MossRoad]

First, get some tree pruning dressing/paint and cover up that wound. Then see how the tree responds this summer. Don't be hasty about pruning as you can't put the branches back on one you cut them.

 

[300UGUY]

That looks like a wild cherry or choke cherry tree. We have lots of them around here. I'd make firewood and plant something better. I very seldom see a straight one, they grow crooked a lot, I've got some that have grown into other trees, like oaks and maples, other cherry trees.

 

[Fossil Farm]

In the last pic, it looks like the center of the broken branch is already beginning to hollow. There are also many cankers (aka bolls, burls) showing on the branch below. If indeed that is a hollow spot, that is an area where disease and insects will attack the tree quickly. Also, if water gets in there and freezes, the rest of the tree will begin to split. That needs addressed right away if you want to try to save the tree for any amount of time. Cherries are not long lived trees, especially with as much branching of the main trunk that you have. If there is no metal in the tree, and the trunk is 20 inch DBH, even though it is short, you could make some lumber out of it. Won't be much, but you will have lumber from your property to make something or have something made out of it, something to be a family heirloom. As big a crotch as the tree has at the branching, it probably will not last much longer anyway. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Daver1963]

I can't give you one piece of advice for saving the tree. I'd go along with Fossil Farm on the lumber part. If you can get it cut thin to use as a veneer you could make some ordinary thing like a dresser or a table look absolutely outstanding with some cherry on top, so to speak.
Smaller branches can be dried to used to make smoking chips or chunks. Cherry smoke is good for chicken and pork. Might even be good for lamb

 

[jimmer2880]

Thank you all for your help.

Yes, that is a line of cedars that the tree is against. The cedars block the afternoon light from hitting much of the tree.

I'm not sure what kind of cherry tree it is - I'm not much of a tree person. You tell me

Yes, it does have some boils, etc., much like it's partner that is about 100' away.

If they don't last long, I may cut my losses and plan another one somewhere else. Now - I need to figure out exactly what kind of tree it is. Both my daughters and their friends LOVE to climb in the other one I have (I don't let them climb in this one because of the implements I store under it).

Also - I don't do much on the woodworking side. I'll have to see if the sawmill will buy it from me and how much they will pay

 

[bigtiller]

It looks just about right for making a tree house for them climbing kids.

 

[jimmer2880]

Bigtiller - A friend of mine on FB said the same thing. Unfortunately, that's nowhere near being in the budget this year.