On 20 Sep, 09:45, wrote:
My neighbour has a lovely big black poplar. Last night a big old
branch dropped out of hte sky and squashed my garden:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1384782...n/photostream/

The inside of the branch is really rotten:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1384782...n/photostream/

The pale stuff is nice strong wood, the darker brown is just squishy
goo.

He's a decent chap and immediately accepted responsibility for
clearing up. What I'm worried about is how safe the tree is. There are
plenty more big branches that could fall on me or my kids, and I'm
concerned that the rot might be in other branches.

Any tree experts in the house? What needs to be done now?

Thanks

John

Just an update as you were all so helpful. The tree surgeon hired by
my neighbour has recommended the whole crown is removed and the trunk
reduced to 15 feet. He says it should grow back, but this will leave
it with no branches at all so I guess it will be a slow process.
Neighbour is sad, so are we, but it's better than having a branch fall
on us.

The tree surgeon did some pruning of our Rubinia while he was there,
saving me a job (though he was a lot more severe than I would have
been!).