Tree Question ??

[1jjpop]

In my backyard I have a locust tree ,32'' in dia. I recently had A tree man trim my dead branchs down + I had 1 had wind damage hanging down ,he cut down . He told me where the trunk went up & the branchs went out [ in the crotch] there was a pocket, water sat in & there was a hole 6'' deep & may be 5''+ - across. That would only get worst from water being in it & freezing in winter. My question is can I pour sackcrete in the hole & over fill it. & dome the concrete , so water won't run in the hole ??? Any other ideas ???

 

[Kevin54]

You'd be surprised as to what has been found in trees. I don't think I would use Sakrete, although it will probably work, but what I would do is wash the area out good and use some sort of a two part epoxy. I would also imagine that arborist can recommend a product made specifically for a problem like that. You might want to check on www.gardenweb.com and go to the tree section and ask some of them.

BTW....if you would happen to find a specific product, let us know what you used s I know there are others that have the same problem. Better to save a large shade tree than let it slowly rot to the point of snapping off in a storm, or lose it because in a weakened state, a tree attracts insects that can eventually kill the tree.

 

[gregtwojeeps]

I had always wondered about tree holes and where they damaging to the tree. As I watch the "Tree House" builder on TV drill out these two inch holes in big tress and then drive/screw steel pins in them for their house beams to sit on, I wonder some times is he is full of **** about them not hurting the trees OR... do we worry too much and should just allow nature to take care of the trees wounds ?

Your question prompted me to search "plug tree holes" and I was guided to a few arbor sites. Seems the consensus with the tree doctors is to leave the hole alone IF the litigation factor from it falling ...is very low. If litigation from a fallen tree is possible, the evidence of the owner trying to plug a hole in it, just confirms the owner knew the tree had problems and patched it up. Truly a odd situation really.... if it was MY tree, I would pay a pay a good aborist and see what he/she said about it. May be worth the piece of mind in trying to save the tree or ...not. JMO

 

[rlitman]

Plugging the hole may seal moisture in. Ideally, you want it dry, and aired out. You can do that with flashing.

 

[Duck tape Bill]

Use expanding foam, dome it, and maybe pain/roof tar the outside. Foam won't break a chainsaw blade if you need to cut the tree down in the future.

 

[rlitman]

Foam won't break a chainsaw blade if you need to cut the tree down in the future.

Or hurt someone when the tree eventually goes through a chipper.

 

[404]

If pieces of the tree fell, would they hit your house? If so whack the tree. If not, ignore it.

 

[larry_g]

On one Ask This Old House episode the garden guy went below the hole on the outside of the tree and used a large auger bit to drill into the cavity so the hole would drain the cavity. He cautioned the owner to keep the hole open.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[rburke65]

Yes I remember that exact show...drill and keep it clear..

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Drainin' it makes alot more sense than tryin' to plug it,.....

 

[sublime68charger]

Off the hip I'd say great stuff the hole and call it a day.

How high up is this hole?
As others have said keeping it drained might be best. But then making sure it stays clear to drain might be a big pain

I'm no tree expert but I have stayed at a holiday inn.

 

[xyster101]

I did great stuff in a hole and the chipmunk and squirrels chewed it out.

Posted by my Galaxy S3. Sorry for typos

 

[1jjpop]

The crotch is about 12' off the ground .

 

[Caman]

Like they did on TOH drill a couple drain holes at an angle through the lowest part of the hole using a long spade drill bit. Clean it out well and run the drill back through the holes atleast yearly.

 

[Finky198]

Our usual fix on our jobs obviously changes depending on the nature of the issuse

Do NOT use Concrete its a heavily outdated method that is dangerous to Tree Care pros like me when piece come flying out a take and eye out or worse Wreck my perfectly sharpened saw

Step 1 is to clean out the hold I usually use a leaf blower if the hole is accessible
if not just use water and towel dry If the hole has a tendency to hold water then you must add drain holes as stated above

Step 2 would be to spray some (Spectracide Prune Seal) or Rubberized undercoat
wait for this to cure

Step 3 Use the Great stuff foam fill the hole so the water will not pool in the hole
let cure as directed

Step 4 trim the foam to desired height apply Multiple coats of Prune seal or the latter
if squirrels are a big issue put some poison near the repair but in all honesty
Squirrels seem to dislike the prune seal at its all toxic chemicals (anti fungal ect..)

oh one last step chase you drain holes let it cure for a good couple of days then garb a water bottle and test out your repair

 

[Oldmaple]

Leave it. Concrete or foam will still allow water to seep in at the interface between the wood and filler. The tree will compartmentalize the wound as best it can (google CODIT, Dr. Alex Shigos' work). Drilling a hole will release the decay further into the wood. All that can be done now is keep the load off the weakened portion by thinning and reducing the canopy. Try posting the question to Arboristsite to get their opinion.