A DANGEROUS SILVER MAPLE TREE

SILVER MAPLE ON S. 6TH ST.

...LADRGE SPLIT IN TRUNK...

...OBVIOUSLY WIDENING

Tuesday,  8:30 AM.  18 degrees F, wind NNE, moderate.The sky is again overcast, and the humidity is down a bit at  82%.  The barometer is up some, at 29.86".  It is much colder today, and the wind has a chill to it.
   The silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is a fast growing and very ecologically adaptable maple tree native to much of eastern and southern  North America, and much planted beyond its native range. It can grow very large, and has a more open shape and branching pattern than the sugar or red maple. The underside of the leaves are whitish or silvery, and they are more distinctly and deeper lobed than those of the sugar maple (Acer saccharum).  It is a popular landscape tree because of its very fast growth, but it is also very weak wooded and it is best not to plant it where it may cause damage at maturity.  Since in nature it is a bottom-land and stream-side tree, it is also notorious for damage caused to sewer pipes and building foundations by its moisture seeking roots.  It is really suitable only for use in wildlife and conservation planting, far from structures and roads.  Most cities, including Bayfield, have an ordinance prohibiting the planting of silver maples, even on private property, but it is difficult if not impossible to enforce.
   Silver maples can attain very large size and become very dangerous with age, as evidenced by the above tree located in a front yard on South Sixth Street in Bayfield.  By the time a tree reaches this size it is very expensive to remove and homeowners are often reluctant to spend the money to take it down. This tree will have to be taken down in pieces, and traffic on this busy road will have to be halted or diverted.
  As obviously dangerous as this tree is, it is impossible to predict when the right wind or ice and snow conditions will occur that will cause it to fall or shed major branches. This tree has obviously existed in a precarious state for many years, hanging over house and road like the Sword of Damacles...but one day it will crash and likely do great damage to property or life. It should be removed as soon as possible.