I have this large maple tree in my back yard, Langley, B.C. It was large when we moved here 20 years ago. No problems other than a little loss of some branches each winter - which I have been told is usual. However, about two years ago the one stem marked with the left arrow had some large branches which did not leaf. An arborist looked at it and advised that I just observe it for a few years, in case it recovered. This year in February the arborist visited again and he thought that the two limbs marked with an arrow should be removed. In the last week the limb with the right arrow lost great swaths of its bark during a wind storm. As you can see the endangered limb on the right side is smaller and kind of winds around another larger limb. I have attached 2 photos that perhaps you can look at. My family and I love this tree, but now I am worried that if I have these two limbs removed the tree will become unstable? In which case it is a danger, therefore I would need to have the entire tree removed? Also I am curious as to whether or not this tree is close to the end of its life-span? I have seen another maple tree in Fort Langley and I think it was planted about 1918 or thereabouts. So this one perhaps is about the same age. Is the moss growing on it an indication of illness or just that it is in a shady spot? Thank you and I look forward to your considered response.
I would follow the guidance of the arborist, and remove the two limbs he identified. I think we have to assume he will have considered the impact on the health and "balance" of the tree. I would also plant a young tree to provide an eventual replacement for this one. It think it's always heartening to watch a young tree grow and it will ease some of the wistfulness of watching this older tree in its declining years. Don't worry about the moss. I've got dozens of maples in view outside my window, and most of them -- especially those more than a few years old -- seem to have moss growing on them somewhere.
Hi, the stem marked with the right arrow is obviously dead and needs to be removed. Removing dead limbs is normal practice and I see no reason why this would affect the stability of the tree. From your picture it is hard to tell about the stem on the left, other than there are some dead branches growing out from it, but your arborist is in a better position to know than me. Removing dead and dying branches will not normally affect the stability of a tree, in fact it is removing dead weight from the canopy. I guess you may be worried it will affect the centre of balance of the tree, but as long as the root structure is healthy and not undermined or damaged by building work etc this should not be a problem. I don't live in Canada, so don't know what species of maple this is likely to be, but most Maples can live for well over 100 years so I wouldn't be worrying about old age just yet. I am sure someone can give you better advice than me, but I hope this is some help. (Edit - Kaspians post wasn't there when I wrote this, otherwise I would have said I agree with with him and my reply would have been considerably shorter)
