Question for any Arborists or super smart tree people

A car smashed into a very large corkscrew willow tree on my property. Tree is at least 40 years old. See here for reference, the tree in question is in the second picture.

https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...ost+got+smoked

The tree has a significant crack at the base, at most about two inches thick, roughly two feet high but possibly longer if it continues underground:

Attachment 294639


My insurer sent a certified Arborist to inspect and report, and they say the crack "will cause rot and decay to the tree, leading to subsequent failure in the future."

I assuming the arborist works for the same company that would get the job to take down the tree but could be mistaken.

I really don't want to just chop this tree down. 6 years ago we had to take down three poplars, last summer we lost our Chinese Elm, and this is the last big tree we have. It survived two massive ice storms an the last ten years, the first reduced the entire thing down to about 6 - 8 feet high (from roughly 60 feet). Both times we were told (one guy was an arborist, the other I don't think was really an expert) that the tree wouldn't make it and here it is. Also without sounding dramatic I credit my being here to it, if this tree wasn't there, exactly in that spot, that night would have much much different.

1 - Am I crazy to want to keep it up and monitor it a couple years?

2 - can I assume I'll have visual indicators when the tree is dying / weakening ei leaves die, limbs start drying out etc, as opposed to a sudden catastrophic break?

3 - is there anything I can do to help mitigate the damage ei fill the crack with something to slow down rot?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Ask to get a second opinion on the tree because you’re interested in keeping it. See if the insurance will cover a second opinion consultation $$, ask how much $$ they’ll cover for the consultation and if you can independently solicit for the consultation, and see what you can find locally. Be present and ask a lot of questions when you have a visit for the second opinion.

Well they basically condemned/totaled the tree, which means they'll pay you for it. I doubt it means you have to cut it down. Get the check and see how it goes. Tree's probably toast but it might last a few years as it goes out. Maybe it'll make it if you get a smart tree guy trying to save it. In the meantime plant some new trees.

edit: if for some wack reason they insist on cutting it down make sure they at least grind the stump way the fuck down, if not pull it. Make sure stump mitigation is in what they pay you, as well as replacement. Also there must be some recourse for loss in property value (I'd think).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bodywhomper

Ask to get a second opinion on the tree because you’re interested in keeping it. See if the insurance will cover a second opinion consultation $$, ask how much $$ they’ll cover for the consultation and if you can independently solicit for the consultation, and see what you can find locally. Be present and ask a lot of questions when you have a visit for the second opinion.

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That makes a lot of sense, and frankly I'm embarrassed I didn't think of that. Thank you, this is why I ask these questions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by iceman

Well they basically condemned/totaled the tree, which means they'll pay you for it. I doubt it means you have to cut it down. Get the check and see how it goes. Tree's probably toast but it might last a few years as it goes out. Maybe it'll make it if you get a smart tree guy trying to save it. In the meantime plant some new trees.

edit: if for some wack reason they insist on cutting it down make sure they at least grind the stump way the fuck down, if not pull it. editedit: make sure stump mitigation is in what they pay you. It's not enough for them to pay to cut it down, they have to deal with the stump (and any loss in property value I'd think).

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Yeah I've asked them to expand on 'tree removal' in regards to pulling out roots (doubt it) or grinding the stump down. As for the $$ they don't cut me a check, but would pay for their arborists people to remove the tree directly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thaleia

As for the $$ they don't cut me a check, but would pay for their arborists people to remove the tree directly.

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Why, though? Seems like a reasonable question to ask. You had a tree. Their customer killed it. You want the value of the tree. Why not?

Seems to me they should cut you the check to pay a arborist of your choice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thaleia

It survived two massive ice storms an the last ten years, the first reduced the entire thing down to about 6 - 8 feet high (from roughly 60 feet).

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despite your fondness for it, it sounds like a shit tree at this point

plant some new ones along your fence line

Sometimes trees heal, sometimes the rot. Is there anything it could fall on?

It sounds like you're dealing with your insurer, not the driver's insurer. Beyond the cost to remove a tree has significant value and you should be compensated for that by the driver or the driver's insurance, unless your insurer wants to pay you for the loss of the tree and then subrogate the claim to the driver's insurer.

Ask to replace the tree.

Trees are pretty resilient although it is a willow. My experience with arborists is the recommendation is always to cut down because they want to get paid for that.

Get the insurance money (from the driver) of what it would cost to cut it down and then leave it...unless it could fall on the house, driveway, etc but I doubt it since willows need it really wet and that’s probably not where your house is built.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by iceman

Well they basically condemned/totaled the tree, which means they'll pay you for it. I doubt it means you have to cut it down. Get the check and see how it goes.

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I just dealt with this exact issue last month. I am a joint owner of several family properties back in Wisconsin. 2 months ago a tornado flattened one of our houses, and another we own next door was damaged by a large tree limb. Said tree is an over 400 year old white pine. It is huge. Insurance adjuster said it has to come down. My cousins objected because we used to have a tire swing on it when we were kids. Adjuster pointed that now they have identified it as deficient, they won't cover any liability from the tree. So if another big branch lands on our roof, zero coverage. And more importantly, because it is so huge, if it actually fell it is easily in range of a neighbor's $1.5 mill home. And zero coverage from us. We would be screwed. Tree came down the next day.



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400 years old is doubtful but whatever. Do something cool with the wood if you can.

Google says white pines can live to 450. My granddaddy told me 400. He was a Methodist preacher.

Update: wiki sez "some in Wisconsin are approximately 500 years old."
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_strobus


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thaleia

A car smashed into a very large corkscrew willow tree on my property. Tree is at least 40 years old. See here for reference, the tree in question is in the second picture.

https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...ost+got+smoked

The tree has a significant crack at the base, at most about two inches thick, roughly two feet high but possibly longer if it continues underground:

Attachment 294639


My insurer sent a certified Arborist to inspect and report, and they say the crack "will cause rot and decay to the tree, leading to subsequent failure in the future."

I assuming the arborist works for the same company that would get the job to take down the tree but could be mistaken.

I really don't want to just chop this tree down. 6 years ago we had to take down three poplars, last summer we lost our Chinese Elm, and this is the last big tree we have. It survived two massive ice storms an the last ten years, the first reduced the entire thing down to about 6 - 8 feet high (from roughly 60 feet). Both times we were told (one guy was an arborist, the other I don't think was really an expert) that the tree wouldn't make it and here it is. Also without sounding dramatic I credit my being here to it, if this tree wasn't there, exactly in that spot, that night would have much much different.

1 - Am I crazy to want to keep it up and monitor it a couple years?

2 - can I assume I'll have visual indicators when the tree is dying / weakening ei leaves die, limbs start drying out etc, as opposed to a sudden catastrophic break?

3 - is there anything I can do to help mitigate the damage ei fill the crack with something to slow down rot?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

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Not arborist or super smart or even a Tree Person, but....You can seal up as much of the wound as possible with tree tar, then pack it with concrete, or cement grout that will not swell and is not toxic. But you're likely past your window for that if this was the Bentley a couple months ago... But that crack can't heal itself.

As for $$, in most places in the States court awards would be capped at 3x, possibly 5x "stumpage", the market value for the tree or a similar tree. It's likely entirely different in your town, in your province, in your country.
A rational agent would come to terms with the fact that BentlyBoi killed the tree, and seek to not leave any $$ on the table as some compensation. You can't really be made whole in any subjective sense for "the tree that saved your ass"... Courts and attorneys know this, and tend to stick with objective criteria in these cases.

Sorry mate. It looks like a friendly tree. But if it's a hazard your insurance won't cover anymore, you have good reason to do what you likely have to do.

I had a rambling rose of sharon tree split almost in half in my backyard about eight years ago after a pretty wet and heavy snowstorm. Loved that thing when in bloomed in August/ September. So, strapped it together and covered the exposed/ damaged surface with a rubbery sealant, forget the brand, and it's still alive today. Try something like that, nothing to lose.

teh reddit has a section on tree law. Destroying large trees ain't cheap. ianal, but "stumpage" or the cost of a similar tree is often high (10k-100k or more). ... if a reddit circlejerk is believable.

Yeah, when buying a house, one should pay serious attention to the trees on the property, and negotiate costs for care or removal, because most are shocked at the cost when they have to fork it out, and that's usually in an emergency.

Corkscrew Willows and all willows in general, suck. Very messy, they break frequently, rot and the wood doesn’t burn very well. They get so large and can be really expensive to remove.