[Elisabetxxx]

Hi Folks,

We have a large liquidamber in the back yard - 80ft approx
One of the reasons we bought the house is because the tree protects the house from the western sun - its a great tree (not so great in autumn)

Over the past 6-9mths we have had some significant limbs break - inc last night

What would cause the tree to become 'fragile'?

looking at the foliage - it has dense covering of lush green leaves - this looks to be weighing down the limbs (so, i reckon a bit of wind, and extra weight from rain - wouldnt take much to 'tip it over the edge...')

So, why would the limbs become heavy with foliage (without increasing the strength of the supporting limbs)?

The tree is in the centre of the backyard - i do sprinkle 'Shirleys No.17' on the lawn 3 time per year - could this be encouraging the foliage on the tree too? (just a random thought)

Would an arborist be able to identify issues, and provide a course of action to prevent further breakages?

Thoughts/comments would be greatly appreciated

[Wvq9InTM]

Yes, ask an arborist. Though the Liquidamber is mostly free of problems there are indeed things that can go wrong. Phloem necrosis, is one. There are others.
It is quite common for liquidamber to lose branches if unpruned. During the summer months the tree is at its heaviest. You should prune now before the tree loses any more branches or causes property or personal damage.

[Elisabetxxx]

Thanks for your feedback Roughy

I have found a few interesting things about this...
First - Summer Branch Drop (or Summer Limb Failure), Liquidambers are are prone to this - the jury is still out on the cause - but most agree it is due to water stress - the tree uptaking more water to accommodate the transpiration of moisture thru foliage - so the limbs get very heavy

Second - when googling 'arborists' in the local area - turns out that 'arborist' is a guy certified to wield a chainsaw in a tree... he does not know the possible causes of the tree failing, does not explain the benefits of one pruning technique vs another etc... in short - he sees my tree and see $$ signs to remove it, not conserve it... (so, the dime-a-dozen arborists are really tree-loppers - well, my experience so far)

I did find a tree-surgeon (amongst other qualifications, is a member of the Aust Association of Aboriculture...) he gave numerous options for preserving the tree - mostly a massive prune (30% all over) to reduce weight, and encourage strengthening of limbs etc...

Anyway - interesting exercise - not cheap, i should get out of IT - this is where the money is...

[Ikrleprl]

he gave numerous options for preserving the tree - mostly a massive prune (30% all over) to reduce weight, and encourage strengthening of limbs etc... Looks like a job for an Arborist...

[Wvq9InTM]

Thanks for your feedback Roughy

I have found a few interesting things about this...
First - Summer Branch Drop (or Summer Limb Failure), Liquidambers are are prone to this - the jury is still out on the cause - but most agree it is due to water stress - the tree uptaking more water to accommodate the transpiration of moisture thru foliage - so the limbs get very heavy

Second - when googling 'arborists' in the local area - turns out that 'arborist' is a guy certified to wield a chainsaw in a tree... he does not know the possible causes of the tree failing, does not explain the benefits of one pruning technique vs another etc... in short - he sees my tree and see $$ signs to remove it, not conserve it... (so, the dime-a-dozen arborists are really tree-loppers - well, my experience so far)

I did find a tree-surgeon (amongst other qualifications, is a member of the Aust Association of Aboriculture...) he gave numerous options for preserving the tree - mostly a massive prune (30% all over) to reduce weight, and encourage strengthening of limbs etc...

Anyway - interesting exercise - not cheap, i should get out of IT - this is where the money is...

I'm all three of the above. er: I agree with water stress. I am an arborist and a tree surgeon.

Only trouble is.. I've underpriced myself out of work.. Much of what you pay is to cover the costs of chippers and lifts and insurance.