Have a medium sized tulip tree with two trunks (7" diameter) - one coming out about parallel to the ground before turning up, the other neatly vertical. I'm worried that if I allow the horizontal one to stay, it'll break in a storm and destroy the tree. However, it's nearly 50% of the growth of the tree so I fear cutting it off will kill the tree outright.

• Do I leave it?
• Do I cut it off cleanly a few inches from the split?
• Or do I heavily prune the horizontal one back now, then cut it off the following year?

Thoughts? Thank you in advance!

https://preview.redd.it/hfqvebn0r1ee1.jpg?width=907&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=719f9f333757a1b1c69ea9d880fcfc57c6102ef1

Not sure why the pic didn't attach fist time around. Here it is...

https://preview.redd.it/yujeyw9ko5ce1.png?width=508&format=png&auto=webp&s=6d6e9869c1efe80e31b112c308526978537ea0b8

I've been collecting European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) seeds from parks and sides of driveways. I've read that Ash embryos need a warm period to develop and a cold stratification period to break dormancy and start developing.

I started by soaking ash tree seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours. After soaking, I planted the seeds upright in moist sand and covered the container with plastic wrap to retain moisture. I planned to keep the seeds in a warm location until March, when I intended to cold-stratify them.

At one point, I noticed white mold forming on the seeds. I removed the plastic wrap.

However, one of the seeds began to germinate unexpectedly on December 22, 2024, before any cold treatment. I transferred the sprouted seed into moist potting soil and placed it under a grow light to give it the best chance to thrive.

I carefully addressed this by ensuring proper air circulation and taking care not to overwater the soil. The seedling now appears healthy. I plan to harden it off gradually in spring before transitioning it outdoors.

Is this seedling going to make it, or did the mold do some damage to it?

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