Moved into the new house a few months ago when snow covered the ground. When spring rolled around and the sap started running, I noticed that the previous owner had cut notches in these two red maples, presumably to help keep this pole held between the two trees about 4-5 feet off the ground. The sap was running out of the notches for a couple of weeks. I dont' imagine that these trees will survive the damage. Wondering if I should just take them down now or wait til they die. Are they a risk to leave standing since they are more susceptible to a wind storm? They're probably a magnet for insects now. The pics prove that this really happened....
![Who does this?..... Who does this?.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/105/105453-d949b1caedb8effaeef9d011ba1b0da4.jpg)
![Who does this?..... Who does this?.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/105/105454-2beee6143e5135f9960d083bc1e54831.jpg)
![Who does this?..... Who does this?.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/105/105453-d949b1caedb8effaeef9d011ba1b0da4.jpg)
![Who does this?..... Who does this?.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/105/105454-2beee6143e5135f9960d083bc1e54831.jpg)