Other than "hackberries are trash," does anyone have thoughts on this old hackberry? It's been bolted and cabled within the last 5 years due to a split toward the top. Things have gone along nicely since then no splitting, leaves come out as usual but I've noticed it's been dropping chunks of bark lately. Seems like bark is peeling off all over the place. The canopy is still full all over.

If it was a regular sized/skinny hackberry I'd probably just have it removed, but it's quite large (5' around at the base) and give us a lot of shade. I'd hate to lose it, but I'm wondering if it's reached the end of it's usefulness and whether it's now more of a safety hazard than a help. A couple of the large branches do extend over or near our house.

The worst spots are pretty high up, so I did the best I could to get pics.

How close is it to the house? I think I see the roofline. I'm a horticulturist not a arborist and will defer to the arborist but if its close to any structure I would definitely remove it. Yes, hackberries are trash trees that are very weak wooded and have a lot of rot.

It's very near the house within 15 feet and the bulk of the branches extend well into our yard. Some of them are close enough to the house to be a big problem if they break off.

I love trees and hate to cut them down. But your hackberry looks older and they do get really brittle. It may be time to let it go and start with a new tree.

Due to proximity to the house & family, might be best to take down. We have many on our property that size and they all look to have shed pounds over the years.

I had a large one that looked fine and then one day it started to fall over at the base. Was being held up by the neighbors fence and was able to get it down before it damaged it badly. I think they tend to just fall over without any warning from what an arborist told me and that's exactly what mine did. I would just cut it down and be done with it.

Appreciate the advice. I'll get in touch with a local arborist asap.

local arborist ~ chainsaw.

Whitetail said:

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local arborist ~ chainsaw.

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My arborist is named Mr. Stihl and travels all over.

If it has to come down, holler at me... I use the logs to make bowls and things out of in my shop...

I cant take it down, but I'd come haul off some of the big logs if possible...

darrin@avalonweddingsbcs.com

Whitetail said:

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local arborist ~ chainsaw.

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Man, I wish it were that simple. If it wasn't so close to the house and near power lines

studioone said:

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If it has to come down, holler at me... I use the logs to make bowls and things out of in my shop...

I cant take it down, but I'd come haul off some of the big logs if possible...

darrin@avalonweddingsbcs.com

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If (when) it comes down I'll give you a shout if you want to make the trip.

umm... where is it?

Austin.

Hackberry really does make some nice, clean firewood. Dries quickly, splits easily, starts easily (makes good small kindling), and has a respectable BTU rating.