It’s alarming to watch a once robust tree transform into a shell of its former self. If your tree’s trunk has become hollow, you might wonder whether the tree is a danger or if you can leave it as-is.
Is a hollow tree trunk something to worry about? Discover the answer below, then call our arborists for tree services in Dayton, OH.
What Causes a Hollow Tree Trunk?
Why has your tree’s trunk become hollow, anyway? Tree trunks hollow out for several reasons, some dangerous, some not.
- Old age: As trees age, their bark and trunks become more brittle. The trunk may gradually hollow out.
- Pests: Pests such as wood-boring insects and termites find tree trunks irresistible. They’ll chew through your tree’s bark, eventually hollowing out a cavern in the trunk.
- Wildlife: Insects aren’t the only critters that can’t resist a good tree. Woodpeckers will drill holes into your tree looking for a meal, and rodents love making holes in trees for shelter.
- Diseases: Some diseases, particularly fungal ones, are notorious for causing holes in tree trunks. Root rot is one of these. This fungal infection mostly affects a tree’s roots, but if left untreated, it can progress to the trunk as well.
- Physical injuries: Did you run into your tree with the lawnmower? Trees usually do a good job of healing from such injuries, but sometimes, they can progress until you’re left with a gaping hole in the trunk.
- Improper pruning: As with other physical injuries, most trees recover well after pruning. Poor pruning, however, creates wounds that the tree struggles to recover from. This is one reason it’s best to leave pruning to the pros.
Are Hollow Tree Trunks Dangerous?
Is a hollow tree trunk something worth worrying about? If the tree’s structural integrity looks good and it seems otherwise healthy, then no. Trees can live just fine with a hole or two in their trunks. Plus, they make for good wildlife habitat.
However, you’ll want to call an arborist if you notice any of these signs:
- A sudden lean: If your formerly straight-as-an-arrow tree has suddenly started to tip over, call an expert for help right away. A leaning tree can topple over onto your house or even you. You may need to have the tree removed.
- Brittle branches: Are your tree’s branches brittle and easy to break? If a branch becomes brittle, it’s dead. Ignore the problem, and the entire tree may die.
- Extensive fungal growth: Excessive fungal growth is another sign that your tree may be on its way out. An arborist may be able to treat your tree with fungicide. If your tree has heartwood decay, however, there’s unfortunately little you can do to save it.
Call Our Arborists for a Tree Risk Assessment Today
Worried about your hollow tree trunk? Holes in tree trunks aren’t always a death sentence, but your tree may need extra care to recover. If you’d like to schedule a tree inspection or need help getting rid of a tree’s black fungus, call Oregon Arborist at (503) 899-4166.