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Inclusions are prone to failure

hollow branchBark included in the branch union makes the union weak. Reduce the length of these limbs or remove the limbs. On some trees, most branches have inclusions. Obviously, all these can not be removed so reducing their length is more practical.

As limbs grow larger and heavier, inclusions become more of a concern because breakage would mean more potential property damage, injury, and tree damage. The red maple in these photos had several branch unions with inclusions and they all failed in the 70 mph wind gusts. See: more on bark inclusions.

hollow branch snapped off