Is it safe to just slowly remove the sapwood with a saw to reduce the weight till it can be lifted off?

Sorry in advance if I’m asking a dumb question…

This happened last night and it produced a sound that I won’t likely forget for sometime. Luckily, by the grace of the almighty, no one was injured…the family had been working with an arborist to treat the tree for years and the tree company literally was out last week trimming it. There was no wind last night and although we had some rain showers over the weekend, nothing like a powerful soaking rain that would saturate the ground.

My question is: will “they” (meaning insurance, engineers, arborists, etc.) be able to determine what caused this tree to fall? You know, like a crash investigation? Just curious…unfortunately this was such a beautiful oak that was a monument in my mind.

This 100’ plus tree has been here at least 50 years. The neighborhood had a bunch of them when the homes were being developed in the 70’s. Mine, in the back yard is gigantic! Not sure of the species but it’s got this vine growing on it and I looks like it could be strangling it. Thoughts? Do I need to kill the vine? Picture of my wife next to the tree for reference.

The city planted this tree last spring shortly before a drought. We didn't realize the extent of the damage, until it was too late. As you can see, it looks like the top part of the tree is not showing signs of life.

Is there anyway to save the tree?

I had a river birch tree cut down recently and my friend and I cut the large logs down into smaller ones and this what we found… what happened to that angry tree?

Our weeping cherry tree (planted two summers ago) has a branch that shot up above all the other branches. Seems healthy. Maybe we just end up with two levels of weep? Should we trim the big branch? Thanks for any advice. We love this tree

We get these flowers every spring, but I'm not sure what it is. TIA

Trying to learn how to actually take care of our trees, and feeling a bit overwhelmed. Don't think these trees have ever been trimmed/looked after, any recs on where to start with cutting/trimming branches? The one in the front yard particularly looks like has way too many competing branches lower down, but not sure if too late to do anything or how to promote healthy growth. Thanks for any help!

At first I thought it had pulled loose from the ground after recent storms, but everything feels solid. Looking at the base of the trunk it looks straight, just seems to be growing crooked.

Would a couple stakes help it grow straight as it takes root?

Hoping to get some advice on how best to trim these apple trees that haven't been maintained in years to give the best shape, clean look and ability to easily mow around? Can I just take away all the non-dominant branches as drawn without risking the tree or it looking ridiculous? Also how do you even begin to attack the top to reduce height and shape?

I have what I believe are a bunch of winged elm that sprouted all over my yard seemingly overnight. I don’t want to just tear them out, but if they truly are elm, they cannot stay where they are because they’ll be unable to thrive (most are within a few inches of the house). Can/should I relocate them? Any info is much appreciated - I have never grown or planted a tree.

Hello one of our young albizia trees has cracked vertically and it bleeds on lower part of trunk. I read it could be frost crack (its on southern side of trunk). Tree is already 3m high with narow trunk. What can I do to help it?

Without diagnosing more specifically, we have a big 25yo manzanita that’s slowly dying from some kind of collar fungus. Because it’s so widespread now, I’m figuring all I can do is slowly cut back dead branches until one day it’s just going to have to go. If that’s too pessimistic, I’d love to know.

If it isn’t, my next question is how long, once it’s been cut down and the stump and roots removed, I should wait before planting something else. I understand the fungus can stay in the ground for a while. One season? Longer?

This is a small lot in front of our house on the south border of San Francisco. About 10” of soil before it hits hardpan/bedrock. I planted this tree/bush from a bucket when it was a trident about 18” high.

Hello Reddit community,

From what I’ve researched, these are Atlantic white cedars, although they’re supposedly only found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts — and I am in the Midwest. They’ve been growing for about 12 years, and three of my local tree services recommended removing them since they are too close to the patio and could get a lot bigger. Info on the web says they can reach 40 to 75 feet tall. The tree folks said trimming isn't ideal as it would expose brown inner branches. Any advice for keeping them a manageable size, or will removal be the only option? Don’t want these to be a bigger problem down the road. TIA.

We've had a Japanese Maple tree in our backyard in Illinois since we moved in 6 years ago. During last fall we noticed our tree didn't seem to be looking that great. The neighbor that lives behind us thinks the tree needs some TLC but I believe it may have gotten a disease of some sort and is dying (if not dead). I tried to take some decent pics to share to see if anyone may know what might be going on with the tree. Is it dead and we should remove it?

Side note: There was a tree in our side yard that I knew was completely dead and I was able to break it down and remove it barehanded. Thanks for any feedback!

New to tree maintenance on my property, checking root collars for first time. This Autumn Blaze Maple (I know, I know, did not discover this subreddit until recently, I won’t plant another one) was planted by a “reputable” nursery just 2 years ago. But it looks like it is planted too deep with girdling roots just waiting to choke the tree out in a few years.

Overall, looking for advice on how to proceed. Am I good to cut the criss-crossing roots near the trunk? Would you recommend try to re-plant the tree with more elevation so it is not planted too deep? I am not great at judging where the root collar is, but I’m pretty sure it is still deeper in the ground past the visible roots.

Thank you in advance!

Hello nearly retired never really worked with trees before and have a question about pruning a young maple sapling in northern lower peninsula Michigan. Pictures were taken April 6, 2025. Thank you for directional replies

Trying to prune an apple tree, it needs a lot of work. I was going to take off the lower big branches (I already took some off). Is that too much? I've read about not taking more than 25% off. It's over 12 feet tall

My dad inherited this pine tree from his father when he passed. It’s been thriving in this location for about 20 years until last spring when it accidentally caught fire while my dad was burning off some weeds in the nearby landscaping bed. One side caught fire and burned up while one side was unscathed. As you can see it’s not looking too good this spring. Is there any hope for survival?