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Mimosa tree hollow? Carpenter Bee's too...

11 years ago

Hi, I have a Mimosa Tree(w/pink flowers) that had a problem. One of the branches was invaded by Valley Carpenter Bee's for several years. The branch had to be removed today, it was falling off. When we removed it, it left a hollow area. My husband found it full of tons of rich black dirt which from what it looks like goes down into the tree completely. We left the dirt in it and wonder if this is normal for this type of tree to be hollow with dirt/decomposition etc in it. I want to keep the tree but Im worried it will be a hazard to others walking under it. Its in our front yard.

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Comments (2)

Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
11 years ago
Mimosa can be somewhat short lived. They do flower though in the middle of the summer when few Missouri natives are.

How large is yours? Twenty something feet is probably the tallest i usually see. Long as folks aren't seeking shelter under it in storms, parking under it, or picking there for the kid's sandbix I would think you would be ok.

BTW, Mimosa is considered an invasive species round here. Check with your state before replacing with another. If it is not google some pics of the chocolate colored variety.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
11 years ago
It would probably be prudent to have an evaluation performed by a certified arborist practicing tree hazard assessment. A tree with a hollow trunk - or one filled with something other than wood - typically indicates some sort of rot and it will continue to present a liability with regards to other limbs breaking or falling. Perhaps the entire tree itself.

FWIW, mimosa/silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) is not considered an invasive species along much of the west coast. In fact, they are recommended street trees in many areas of SoCal. And they can live longer and grow much larger here than one would suspect. A mimosa in Bakersfield, CA is registered as a California Big Tree and measures 43 feet in height and with a canopy spread of nearly 50'. There is one of similar age and size in Seattle.
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