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Middle and upper trunk

Defects in the middle and upper trunk can cause failure in storms. Look for the following:

  1. bark inclusions where large branches join with the trunk (See: bark inclusions)
  2. cracks or splits in the bark on the trunk and main branches (See: cracks and splits)
  3. cankers or dead spots (See: dead spots)
  4. large old pruning wounds (See: pruning wounds)

Treatment for these problems can range from thinning or reducing the canopy size to tree removal.

See: more on trunk and main branch evaluation.