Take it down or not?

TRD

This weekend we've cleared a small bed in our garden (mostly bulbs) leaving just our 25ft flower cherry tree.

Having uncovered the trunk weve spotted marks ( on two sides) that had been hidden by the bed contents.

The tree is approx 15 year old (could be older) and was lopped more than 10 years ago (by the previous house owners).

It's been suggested that the marks are rot and that the tree is comming to the end of its life. The rest of the tree seems healthy and blossomed normally. 

We are about to take the shed down and replace it so need to decide whether to leave the tree or take it out .........

Any thoughts on what the marks might be ?

foxwales

Could have been caused by strong winds causing stress at the bottom of the tree.  Looks very healthy to me with all that lush green foliage.  If it's still flowering, then I'd keep it.  

Lizzie27

No, I think that's diseased and I would remove it. 15 years is quite long for a cherry tree. It's your choice however, but it certainly looks as though it will be easier to replace the shed if it's not there.  Think of it as a new planting opportunity!

Dovefromabove

I agree with @Lizzie27 ... it’s on its way out ... make your life easier and take it out  and plant something wonderful when you’ve got the new she’d sorted and you’ve had a chance to replenish the planting area ... get a bare root tree this winter and you’ll get more for your money too 👍 

Fairygirl

That's a shame, but a new opportunity as @Lizzie27 says.
Easier for doing the shed - and you'll be able to plan something really nice for the whole area.
It would be really annoying if you go to all the effort of doing a new shed, and then have to get in there again for the tree at a later date