webadmin posted on January 08, 2012 14:39
The tree is down! Removal of an 85-foot tree on E. Broad St. is complete. It was being removed because of decay.
During the take down, the City found several large areas of decay in the main leads of the canopy over Broad Street. There was a 16-inch long crack through the center of the trunk and staining from decay was noticeable around the edge of the stem.
The real structural deformity will be noticed more when the stump is removed. They City was able to manipulate the fall and then cut the tree into manageable pieces for removal.
The tree has a fungus which has compromised the root system. While the tree looks healthy, it could collapse without warning, said Statesville Utility Arborist Shawn Cox. “Removing the tree now allows us to be in control and keep the public safe.”
Cox estimates the tree to be between 150-200 years old with a standing weight in excess of 100,000 pounds. “There are no treatments for the disease killing this tree. The quicker we can remove it, the sooner we can replace it with a new, healthy tree,” he explained.