DON`T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT TREES BUT HERE GOES ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO WE TIED A PULLY AROUND ONE OF OUR TREES IN OUR BACK YARD WELL 8 YEARS LATER IS NOW AND OUR TREE SEEMS NOT TO BE PRODUCING LEAVES AS MUCH WITH THE VERY TOP NOT HAVING ANY LEAVES THE LEAVES THAT ARE ATTEMPTING TO GROW ARE DROOPING ON THE SIDE WHERE WE TIED A PULLY AROUND THE TREE. THE TREE SEEMS TO BE ALIVE IT IS VERY FULL ON ONE OF THE VEES (LACKING THE PROPER WORD)I MEAN THE TREE SPLITS INTO A V SHAPE AND THE SIDE WHERE I TIED A CHAIN AROUND THE V SEEMS TO BE ABOUT A 1/2 INCH GAP AROUND 50% THE OTHER 50% SEEMS TO HAVE RE-GROWN A THICK SHADE OF GRAY BARK I FEEL TERRIBLE ABOUT WHAT I HAVE DONE AND HOPE SOMEONE CAN STEER ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION I WANT TO SAVE THE V SHAPE BUT MY NEIGHBOR WHO ALERTED ME SAYS ITS TO LATE PLEASE HELP JIM

Reply to post by jim, on May 16, 2001 at 17:11:57:

Oh!! What a mess. Your message is very hard to read Jim. For a start you used all caps. and then you had very little punctuation beyond that. For me, personally, I would be more inclined to read your question and respond to it; if I could, if it were offered in a more readable format. Can you please re-post it???? James.

Reply to post by jim, on May 16, 2001 at 17:11:57:

Jim,
The V-shape, as you describe it, sounds like a co-dominant structure, a fork, if you will, between two trunks of roughly the same diameter.
This kind of tree structure is considered to be more prone to failure by splitting at the inside of the crotch, especially if there is bark included (wedged between the trunks as they expand towards each other in the middle).
As for the damage you did, it sounds as if maybe an engine hoist or other device was used, causing the bark to be crushed and the underlying cambium to be killed.
This is a type of girdling which results in the disruption of transport, within the tree, of photosynthates, the food produced in the leaves and used throughout the rest of the tree for energy.
The symptoms of dead and dying leaves and stems is consistent with death of the supporting system (branch, trunk, even roots).
Only a first-hand inspection by a knowledgable person can help you determine whether there is any hope of preserving any of the damaged parts of the tree.
It doesn't sound hopeful.
I think you should concentrate on making sure that a hazardous condition does not follow.
Awareness of harm done is a place to start.
I am glad you care about the tree.