Car damaged by falling limb

This car was severely damaged after a limb with a bark inclusion fell on it. This type of failure is fairly predictable but mostly preventable with appropriate pruning.

Large limb falls in storm.

Nearby car is severely damaged.

 

 

The large diameter branch that split had a bark inclusion at its base. This is well known as a weak connection. A severe trunk wound resulted from this faliure. Large trunk wounds often cause massive decay in thte tree trunk, especially in older trees such as this one.

Close-up of broken union shows that there was very little connective wood between the large branch (right side of photo) and the trunk (left side of photo).