We have huge white pines and their branches are prone to breaking under heavy snow, the sound is amazing!Good thinking and yes, they will do that. I wouldn't say this is its main branch it is one of many huge branches. I will try to get a picture if I can do so without being underneath it.
I am fortunate enough to live with many huge mature trees (though fewer than before Hurricane Sandy) and so I have the tree service inspect regularly. This guy pops by and looks around every few months and he also brings free woodchips. So I am as confident as I can be that the tree is healthy - the truth is that trees do sometimes shed big branches. Sometimes I hear them fall in the woods which is a very primeval sort of sound. There is always a short silence immediately after and then the birds start up again.
Muffy
