A tree trunk grows under gravitational pressure running down the
grain. If that pressure is "relieved", there is no natural tendency
to warp. A horizontal tree branch grows with pressure running across
the grain, and thus the tendency to warp once that stress is relieved.

Joe



I have a big red maple tree that has a horizontal branch that is threatening to rip the tree in half, so this spring
after the sap runs I'm going to cut it off. It is over 1 foot in diameter at the tree, and extends straight out for
about 20 feet before bending up a bit and going another 20 or 30 feet. I cut its twin off last year, and just an 8 foot
piece is too much weight for me to carry!

Shame to just cut it up and burn it, can it be used somehow for useful maple wood?

Then the question - how do I process it?