Cherry blossom help

[Dave s]

Hi this is my first post and hope someone can help me decide what to do.
I moved into my house around 4 years ago and there was already a large cherry blossom growing at the bottom of the garden that still flowers although very sparsely.
I think it’s a fairly old tree from going by the diameter of some of the top branches that had been pruned in the past , I really think this tree is sick as it’s leaning quite a lot and the left had side at the base seems hollow and rotten , there is also some step fungus around the trunk and alot the branches are split , due to the angle in which it’s leaning I wouldn’t want it to fall.
I’m really inclined to fell such an old tree but really feel it’s the best course of action . I also noticed the full thing was moving in the wind on the last storm we had .

Do others think it’s about at the end of its life and needs to be replaced ?
Thanks in advance

 

[pepper2.0]

That's too bad, it needs some tlc if it is going to have a chance. I would spray it with something.. I don't know anything about tree sprays but @Meadowlark , @Chuck or someone else that see's this and knows about sprays might be able to help. Personally I would put down a large spiral stake and tie it off up just past that first big branch and place the stake in the ground in a way that if it falls it will swing it in the direction of the camera towards the bird bath.

 

[Chuck]

Cherry trees have a life span of about 40 years. I believe your tree is reaching this as per the photo of the rotted base of the tree. There is really nothing one can do once this type of damage is done. The tree is severely weakened and will cause concern for safety. I would take the tree down, rent a stump remover and then fill in the depression with a good quality top soil. If you would like another tree of some sort plant it no closer than 3 feet from where the removed tree once stood to alleviate large roots when digging the hole for the new tree.