I have an approximately 10-year-old maple (silver maple) that has suddenly this summer had most of its larger branches fall off, one or two at a time. It appeared well and had normal-looking leaves. Almost 2/3 of it has come down in the past month, usually in mildly windy conditions. Nothing has changed this year with weather or watering that I can tell. Should we just cut it down or do you think there is a possibility it might survive?
The silver maple is known for it's brittle branches. It grows so fast that the branches become brittle unlike slower growing hard(er)wood trees (with hard(er)wood trees, a slower growth rate allows for the branches to harden off better making them less brittle, unlike a Silver Maples fast growing brittle branches). Falling branches will become an on going problem as the tree gets older. They are one of the most commonly used trees of yesterday, because of their fast growth and great shade. But unfortunately they offer a whole host of problems like falling branches, abundant seeds, and abundant surface roots. Here in my neighborhood the roots have been known to lift sidewalks, ruin lawns, cause foundation issues (even though the tree is planted on the tree lawn), invade drain pipes, and where I grew up (septic systems are common for the area) they cause a whole host of problems for septic systems. Squirrels love them too, because their branches are so soft and easy to bite through; they make for great nesting material. The squirrels in my area also like to scratch at the bark, pealing away areas, leading to failed and falling larger branches. For the tree to loose 2/3 of it's branches in a season is a bit uncommon and it tells me there maybe an underlying health issue with the tree (or it's canopy was full of conflicting branches, or possibly an aggressive squirrel had it's way with the tree, but that usually comes later in life as the tree gets larger). I am never one for giving up on a tree, but given it's current state and the whole host of problems that may come with the tree in the future, I would lean towards removing and replacing it with another variety.
Silver maple is also a hardwood, term has a broader meaning. 10 years old is a youngster, it falling apart now is premature. But the cause is secondary to the fact that it is apparently failing and needing to be removed - probably whatever the issue is will not produce a repeat performance from a different species of tree planted as a replacement.
Thanks Ron, I changed my "hardwood" to "hard(er)wood" tree to avoid, or maybe indirectly cause, further confusion :-) I found my bonsai smashed on the driveway this morning. I think it was bad karma for me to speak so negatively about Silver maples.
