Look up at a big bigleaf maple or alder and you'll often see the trunk divide into two or more stems of similar size. When that fork forms a tight V instead of a wide U, bark gets trapped between the stems as they grow. That included bark keeps the wood from knitting together, leaving a weak joint right where the tree carries much of its weight.
Weak forks like these are behind a lot of the split trunks we see after wet, windy weather in Snohomish and King County. Signs to watch for include a crack or seam running down from the fork, dark staining or oozing at the union, or one stem that's starting to lean away from the other.
Not every V-shaped fork means a tree has to go. Depending on the tree and what's underneath it, reducing the weight on one stem may be enough, and other times removal is the safer choice, especially over a house, driveway, or play area. A close look before winter storms is the best way to know which applies.
Do you have a maple or alder with a split or double trunk that you've been keeping an eye on?
#TreeCare #TreeSafety
A real photo of a maple or alder with a tight V-shaped double trunk, ideally a close-up of the union showing a seam or included bark. A split trunk from a past Arbor Vet storm job also works well as a before shot. Authentic job photos strongly outperform stock images.
Canva text suggestion: "V-Shaped Forks Split, U-Shaped Forks Hold" or "Check That Double Trunk Before Winter"