How to help heal a large wound in very old oak tree

2 months ago

I purchased my home 3 years ago and one of my very old and seemingly healthy oaks has a massive open wound that's destroying the core of the tree. It has some serious growth theying to heal itself but I want to do everything to make sure it survives. It's about 10 feet around at the bast and the wound is 6 to 7 feet tall and about 1 foot wide. I would love any advise on how to help it close up or atleast keep water and insects out of it.

Featured Answer

BillMN-z-2-3-4

2 months ago

last modified: 2 months ago

Not much to be done.

The hole is from heartwood that has died for whatever reason and has since rotted inside the tree. The tree is still growing and adding layers or rings the same way that any tree does, which is the outside living layer of cambium, just under the outer bark.

Hollow oak trees are not unusual at all and can be found all over the native range of these trees. They can live for decades, even centuries without anything bad happening.

But if there's any concerns about the strength and safety of the tree, an ISA certified arborist could be called, and he/she would be able to tell whether or not the tree is safe or if it has to go.

In the meantime, hollow oaks are used by many forms of wildlife, for nesting and shelter. You might see a pair of Owls use it or even smaller mammals for their living quarters. :-)

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Comments (10)

Michael Folk
Original Author
2 months ago
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bengz6westmd
2 months ago
Nothing to do, it has been healing for quite a long time. You say it's destroying the interior, but is it really? Inner oak wood that is dry does not rot quickly.
bengz6westmd
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
You could spray some strong anti-fungal solution like copper sulfate into the bottom of the wound (be sure to clean it out first) if you can get up there.
BillMN-z-2-3-4
2 months ago
Bottom of the wound could be down into the roots, you never know.

My only concern would be if there was a possibility of the tree falling on something, like a building or power lines, if it were to break in a strong storm.

Again, an onsite inspection by a qualified arborist would alleviate those fears.
Michael Folk
Original Author
2 months ago
Nothing close for it to fall onto. The squirrels are loving it so I will just let it be for now and try to find a local arborist to take a look. Thanks for all the advice.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 months ago
try to find a local arborist to take a look.

==>>

they said.. and i will repeat.. find an ISA CERTIFIED TREE SURGEON .. IN THIS CASE.. KNOWLEDGE WILL BE WORTH THE COST/PRICE ....

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=ISA+CERTIFIED+TREE+SURGEON&ia=web

if you have severe heart trouble.. you dont use the herbalist hippie at the end of the street.. you find the most highly qualified tree doctor you can ...

since its an oak.. this tree might only live another 100 years...

since it threatens no one... or anything.. then there really isnt anything to do..

wood rots due to water ... im not sure i would be dumping anything water based into the wound regardless if a fungicide would be beneficial ...

if this were hanging over your house.. i would tell you to have it removed immediately ... as with real estate.. its .. location.. location..location ...

trust me on this.. anything you can dream up is contrary to nature.. no paint.. no cement.. no nothing.. it all traps water and leads to faster and more decay ..

\ken
Michael Folk
Original Author
2 months ago
Thanks Ken, that's very helpful and it's one of our beautiful big oaks between our house and the lake and safely away from anything.
kidhorn2
2 months ago
if it's far away from everything, I wouldn't worry about it. Worst case is it falls during a heavy thunderstorm and will cost less to remove.

The best thing is to keep the hole dry, so adding anything in the hole will likely make things worse. You want air to easily flow into the cavity.
Embothrium
2 months ago
Key point is trees don't heal, as in replacing entire area of dead tissue. They grow over openings in bark from the edges, but the rest of a damaged, dead or rotted out stem section is not replaced.

How to help heal a large wound in very old oak tree

BillMN-z-2-3-4

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Michael Folk
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How to help heal a large wound in very old oak tree

BillMN-z-2-3-4

Comments (10)

Michael FolkOriginal Author

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