By now I have had several looks at a specimen of a purple beech planted in Hadlow as a roadside tree, and marvelled at the results of either planting a double headed tree, or possible vandalism post-planting taking out the leader. In this case the tree looks fine from across the road (if you like purple beeches, that is) although perhaps a bit less tall and more broad domed than might be usual for these trees (I'm guessing):

Its when you get a bit closer that you start to see the double-header and the sort of spiral line scored down the trunk indicating a possible split with conjoined bark - generally held to be a serious danger sign (next picture)!

Wow !!

















There are places where you can get three fingers into the crack, and it is difficult to see quite how deep it is. It appears to surface on both sides, and I am fascinated by the length of time the tree has survived to date, with these apparent weaknesses.

 

and on the North side there is an old branch stub apparently piercing one of the two main stems as well (next two pictures, closer view on right) - it all does look quite a mess!

The old cut off branch end you can see in the close-up has red dust below, and an apparent crack above, where the upright leader has apparently not quite closed around the old branch projecting towards camera. I suspect the tree is either Highways or Moat Hosing responsibility, and no immediate action by me is really required. Inspection may indicate further action is needed, or perhaps that it may be better to leave things to nature!

I wonder whether the tree will eventually split completely into two - or possibly even three !