I have lots of red maples, doesn't make great firewood but it beats a blank. In the front yard almost every one of them has multiple or codominant stems. Unfortunately the previous owner never took care of this problem and just let them grow. At this point I have read enough to be concerned about them coming down on their own and killing the whole tree (no targets for them to hit for the most part). What I am wondering is if I cut the stems growing off to the side and leave the straighter trunk will I end up killing the whole tree? I'd rather not kill all the mature trees in the front if I can help it. Here are some representative pics:
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!