Is this tree a goner?

[kickbacked]

I think yes but i figured it wouldnt hurt to ask those with more knowledge before I drop it. The recent snow storm was too much for her. My late great grandmother planted them on the property so there is some wishfulness that it could heal but id rather drop it before it dies.

 

[cg21]

this is what comes to mind. Animals and plants have a serious toughness when actually put to the test.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

this is what comes to mind. Animals and plants have a serious toughness when actually put to the test.

Yep, I have a Bradford Pear that was split like the OP's tree and it's still alive and kickin'. (Sadly. I hate the tree. )

 

[Lmo1131]

It’s not as big as it looks in the first photo . Since it doesn’t present a safety issue
I’d prune it up and see if it makes it. It will let you know if it sn’t happy.

 

[kickbacked]

I’ll cut up the fallen part and see how she does. I’m a little peeved because two summers ago I trimmed them all to get my mower underneath and ripped all the vines off of it. It took a year at least for them to green back up and look healthy. Then we get a random snow storm where the snow doesn’t last 1 day and it takes half of her down.

 

[wcd]

No trim it back accordingly seal up the exposed part and you Should be good to go. Had some of ours split that way a few years ago and they are fine.

 

[spencer rifle]

Arborists now don’t recommend sealing as it traps moisture and fungus spores

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Arborists now don’t recommend sealing as it traps moisture and fungus spores

Dammit. Now I wish I would've sealed the Bradford Pears.

 

[wcd]

Arborists now don’t recommend sealing as it traps moisture and fungus spores

Perhaps not but I do come with a warning label. For us it has worked out well your mileage may vary .

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

Lmo called it. Clean it up and say a prayer.

 

[Michigan Slim]

Dammit. Now I wish I would've sealed the Bradford Pears.

Worst trees ever. Very invasive. Some areas you get paid to cut them down.

 

[tsm]

Had the biggest lower branch on a Bradford Pear tear off similar to that a few years ago. Only thing I did was spray the wound with insecticide and pick out any broken chunks of wood I could pull off. The tree’s doing fine (unfortunately).

 

[kickbacked]

Cleaned it up after lunch and grabbed more pictures to show the wound a little clearer. Is there a special spray or something to protect the wound. Off memory it’s about 3”-4”deep into the tree. Xl carhartt vest and stihl chainsaw with 18” bar for comparison

 

[Leadeye]

You should be OK, I have a white oak that was split for 10 feet many years ago and is still going. Trees are tough.

 

[tsm]

Maybe fasten a small sealed metal pipe with mementos inside to the wound and leave instructions for your great-great-grandchildren to dig the time capsule out of the trunk years from now when the tree is eventually cut down or dies? If they’re only using digital currency by then, stick some cash in there and maybe it’ll be worth something as an antique!

 

[Hawkeye7br]

If you lose the tree and want to maintain the sentiment involved, cut the trunk into log size pieces and take it to a sawmill and or hobby woodworker. My BIL made candle holders out of 4x4's from an old family grainery, and gave them out as Xmas gifts to all the family members.

 

[natdscott]

It's a red cedar. You're good to go, no sealing or any other work necessary. It may yet outlive you, though that is a bad break.

The cambium lost there was largely supporting that limb, and the tree should be able to "reroute" nutrients to support everything above that injury. There's a lot of trunk left.

 

[natdscott]

Maybe fasten a small sealed metal pipe with mementos inside to the wound and leave instructions for your great-great-grandchildren to dig the time capsule out of the trunk years from now when the tree is eventually cut down or dies? If they’re only using digital currency by then, stick some cash in there and maybe it’ll be worth something as an antique!

Neat idea, but won't work for this tree; it's too wide a break on that diameter trunk for a cedar to heal over completely.