– The following steps were taken from an article by John Fech in the November 2012 issue of Tree Services Magazine
By itself, tree decay can be a major concern, especially if found in a soft-wooded tree species such as your silver maple or poplar. Fortunately, some species are quite resistant and if other stressors aren’t present in a significant capacity, it may not be as worrisome as other problems such as poor location, planting errors, over fertilization or drought. A step-by-step approach works best when inspecting trees for decay:
- Use your eyes. Look for rot pockets, oozing, weeping, conks and different colors on the bark and branches.
- Walk the property extensively and identify possible targets.
- Use your experience. Certain tree species in certain locations are likely to develop decay. Locate tree parts that could fall on a target.
- Look closer using probing tools: golf club, rebar or irrigation flag. Use a rubber mallet or the butt of a hatchet to tap the tree trunk where you suspect decay is present.
- If necessary, use invasive tools such as a resistograph or core sampler. Reserve these for important tree specimens. Consider the use of a sonic tomograph, a device that can illustrate the inside of the tree without cutting into it.
- Consider the potential for each tree defect to cause failure in conjunction with the proximity of an important target.
- Put it all together in the form of a relative hazard assessment, combining the presence and extent of the decay with other defects.
Decay Signs Every Homeowner Can Spot
You do not need special tools to catch the most common warning signs. Mushrooms or shelf like conks growing on the trunk or roots are a strong indicator of internal decay, because these fungi feed on wood inside the tree. Other clues include a hollow sound when you tap the trunk, soft or crumbling wood, cavities and old wounds that never closed, and fine sawdust at the base left by wood boring insects. A trunk that sounds hollow or a base surrounded by fungi deserves a professional look.
When Decay Becomes a Hazard
Decay alone does not always mean a tree must come down. What matters is how much sound wood remains and what sits within falling distance. A tree with a small amount of decay and no nearby target may be monitored over time. The same defect on a large tree leaning over a house or driveway is a serious concern. Arborists weigh the extent of decay, the tree’s structure, and the target below to judge real risk, which is why a trained assessment is more reliable than a guess.
If you suspect decay in a tree near your home, our team can evaluate it. See our tree risk assessment service or call Hometown Tree Experts at 301-250-1033.