River Birch, very tall, at least 50 feet, planted about 5 feet from the house. It constantly drops twigs and branches (but the bark is good looking). Trunk flairs are long buried. Having read about trunk flairs, I started gently, by hand, removing the earth. First I discovered that the mulch used to bury the trunk flair is rocks -- "river rock" mulch and also pebbles. Seems to be more than one application. Then, under one layer of rocks I found decayed black plastic. So here is my question: Is this tree going to die and fall on my house? If yes, how long does it have? Should I try to save it? Is it possible to save it by gently removing the rock mulch? I have found some rocks and plastic actually embedded in the bark. I have read everything Howard has written about trunk flairs, and I'm a believer. My question is not "how" but "Is there any hope?" Thanks!
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