maple with termites/how do you "thin" a tree?

I have a beautiful huge maple in my yard, about 3 stories tall, with a knot about 4 feet up the trunk that lookes like something has been inside it chewing around the edges. I believe there was a branch there at one time. The tree looks very healthy otherwise. I had a guy come out to thin some trees and he told me that this gorgeous and sturdy tree is full of termites and that it will eventually fall on my house and must come down. I have never seen a healthier looking tree - could he be right? He only looked at it for a minute, and thats all. Other than the knot, which is the size and depth of a softball, no insects are visible. I would rather save the tree.

THis same guy came out to thin my trees, I thought thinning meant he would take out some branches here and there but still keep the trees shape. His idea of thinning is removing all the branches two thirds of the way up the tree. They all look like pom poms, just long trunks with some foliage at the top. I am starting to question his ability. I know he calls himself an "arborist" but what exactly does that entail? And should I take his word about the maple?

I don't know much about termites, I always thought they ate primarily "dead" wood like firewood, wood framing in your house, landscape timbers, mulch, etc. Hopefully someone else will know something about them attacking living trees. But your arborist is definitely not to be trusted, what he did is not thinning (you're right about what it's supposed to be), and what he did is not good for your tree.

Someone who thinks "topping" trees is good practice probably doesn't know a thing about termites (or anything else about trees).

There are some termites that attack live trees, but I'm not sure if they're present in New Jersey.

you know, I thought this guy was a real idiot, and I am by no stretch a tree expert. I have been doing some research online and I found out:
You shouldn't even prune trees at this time of the year, you should do it fall/winter when they are dormant. At this time of the year, fungus and insects are rampant and will attack trees at the areas where branches are removed. The over pruning this guy did has also overstressed the trees, making them more susceptible to problems like fungus/insects

Always only prune as little as possible - HA! He went NUTS!!

Always leave AT LEAST 2/3 of the tree trunk covered with branches - he took at least half of all of the trees branches from the bottom up. Having their bottom and middle branches also helps stabilize the tree in wind.

I am having a person from the Tree Society of my state come out to look at what this idiot did and to see if I really have termites in my maple

Thanks all, anymore advice would be appreciated - do your homework before hiring someone!!!!

When choosing a tree trimming company look for the certification "Certified Arborist". This certification means they will have had basic training in proper tree care and pruning. If not certified then they are just tree cutters and anything can happen. Any tree company that can also spray is usually a good choice as they have to be state licensed to spray and usually connotes a greater degree of knowledge. Termites found in NJ eat dead wood only.

Bhavana, I'll be curious to see what the Tree Society has to say. Can you give us the name of the guy who pruned your trees? I have friends in NJ.

Harper

my mom just had a topping by an 'affordable tree service' meaning he has the equipment to cut and grind and a guy who will climb. $650 for two days at the house, one big maple. there are a lot of homeowners who want this kind of service, so I think there are a lot of guys out there will do it. and say things without any real knowledge without blinking. can you tell I'm frustrated by my mom and her tree exploits?