Ever notice a tree with two trunks growing side by side from roughly the same spot, like a big V shape? That's called a codominant trunk, and it's one of the more overlooked hazards we run into on Metro East properties.
The problem shows up where those two trunks meet. Instead of forming solid wood, bark can get trapped in that seam, a condition called included bark. It looks fine from the outside for years, but that seam is structurally weaker than a normal branch union and can split without much warning, especially in wind or heavy snow load.
The best way to check is to look at the angle where the trunks meet. A tight, narrow V is more concerning than a wide, open U shape. If you're not sure what you're looking at, that's exactly the kind of thing worth having a second set of eyes on.
Do you have a tree on your property with two trunks or major limbs splitting close together near the base?
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Photo of a real codominant trunk from a past job, ideally with the crew pointing out or standing near the split to give a sense of scale. A close-up of the bark seam itself would help illustrate the issue.
Canva text suggestion: "Two Trunks, One Weak Point" or "What Included Bark Looks Like"