I recently discovered some rotting wood inside a tree in my yard, which has made me worry about its stability. About three months ago, I noticed signs of decay, and when I poked it with a stick today, I saw that the wood was loose. There's also wood dust at the base, and I can push a stick into what seems like sandy material deep in the trunk. Given these signs, is my tree in immediate danger of falling? I've attached some pictures for reference.
3 Answers
Before deciding to cut the tree down, consider its height and location. If it's around 25 feet tall and leaning towards your neighbor's fence, a storm could be risky. Healthy branches might look good now, but the rotting at the base is concerning. I’d suggest calling an arborist for an expert opinion—they can evaluate if it’s stable enough to leave standing or if it needs to go.
Definitely reach out to an arborist for their opinion. They can tell you if your tree is actually stable or not, especially since some trees can handle hollowing. If you're also dealing with carpenter ants, it might be a good indicator of decay, so keep an eye on that!
I've seen trees that looked solid from a distance but were hollow on the inside. They can sometimes hold up well despite being decayed. Just because it has green leaves doesn’t mean the trunk is healthy. An arborist can assess the tree better and determine if it's nearing the end of its life.