I have several trees with deformities like this caused by vines growing on them when they were young. Is there any reason to remove a tree like this? Will it cause a structural weakness when the tree gets big? Most of the ones like this are red maples, but I do have a couple of oaks with the problem as well.
Here's another one.
Chad:
In my never-to-be-humble opinion, those are relatively mild cases of near strangulation. If you don't like where these trees are, or if they turn out to be excess trees in your future forest, you should mark them now so that you can find them again when you want to remove them. The grain in the trunk at the swellings might have some interesting characteristics for use in carving or woodworking.
Here's an example of what some nasty twining vines can do to a boxelder. Now, it's a walking stick.
As long as it doesn't create weak spots prone to breakage I would prefer to leave them alone. I wonder if it will be as noticible when the trees get older and have rougher bark?
No I don't think that will go away over time. Is it bad for the tree? No I don't think so in the long term.
