Fir broken branches

Discussion in 'Gymnosperms (incl. Conifers)' started by njbecho, Apr 8, 2017.

  1. njbecho

    njbecho New Member

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    We have a fir tree in the back yard approximately 75 feet tall. Over the past few months there have been about 4 branches that have broken off, where the break is something like 10+ inches away from the trunk and not a clean break. These branches are about 10 feet or so in length, maybe 7" diameter. This tree was pruned by professionals last October, and assessed by an arborist as healthy. I realize the snow was a contributing factor, and yesterday the wind. But this doesn't seem right for a young fir.

    Any ideas, suggestions? Is this normal or is there something making this tree brittle?

    Thanks.
     
  2. njbecho

    njbecho New Member

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    It's hard to get a decent picture but you can see the area on the upper right where a few branches have fallen, and on the lower third on the left if you zoom you can see a now vertically oriented branch that snapped but hasn't entirely broken off (this last just happened on the somewhat gusty day last week).
     

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  3. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Looks more like a Douglas-fir? These definitely shed branches over time. See Arthur Lee Jacobon's account:

    Plant of the Month

    And to quote him:

     
  4. njbecho

    njbecho New Member

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    Ok. Thank you for this. We've had an arborist tell us the tree does not pose any risk to the nearby dwellings, but the rapidly breaking and dropping branches, and this just after a pruning, is sending me another message. The tree doesn't even look very nice anymore with all the bald spots. Hmm. I wonder if the city will allow us to remove it. Thanks again.
     
  5. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Yep, a Douglas-fir, and as noted, prone to shed branches in heavy snow or gales.
     

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