Rex Edgar Posted February 6, 2017 Report Share Posted February 6, 2017 This angle faces away from the house, so I'm not certain how long this has been in progress. I noticed it last week while exercising the dog. I don't know what kind of tree it is, but for as long as I have been here, almost thirty years, it has had a growth that resembles two nicely formed 'butt cheeks." Now it has a large cavity with the debris on the ground. The wood in the hole seems firm enough, but I've got no clue what is wrong or how and if it can be treated. Anyone seen something like this and have any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonPacific Posted February 6, 2017 Report Share Posted February 6, 2017 I'm not an arborist, but that scares the hell out of me. Looks like you've got some pretty bad dry rot going on. Rot/injury is almost always far worse than what you can see from the outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted February 6, 2017 Report Share Posted February 6, 2017 that looks pretty severe, i've seen guys who have removed the rot and filled with cement but on a much smaller tree, better call an expert tree service soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pondhockey Posted February 6, 2017 Report Share Posted February 6, 2017 (Also not an arborist - and not from your neck of the woods): looks to me like insects went after it first, followed by woodpeckers, which you should have noticed. I don't know what bugs you get in Va, your local agriculture extension agency can probably tell you what it is and what to do, in a minute. In the West, those scars are called burls, and when in good condition are highly prized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 6, 2017 Report Share Posted February 6, 2017 I'm not an arborist, nor to I play one on TV. I did, however, work for one, many moons ago. If that tree is close enough to reach the house when it falls, take it down. Otherwise, the clean and fill technique mentioned above can work to strengthen the tree, but when you finally do have to take it down, now you have a tree full of concrete. Very messy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted February 6, 2017 Report Share Posted February 6, 2017 Probe it. If there is a very big void, that concrete could run downhill far enough to make that last post an understatement. Beware, if the probe hits a raccoon... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 That butt cheek's got problems! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 Hell of a hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Mark Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 Looks like a burl on a maple that the bugs like, which in turn the woodpeckers like. I hope it's leaning away from the house. Hard to say when it will come down, but it will eventually come down. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Edgar Posted February 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 Been looked by a few tree service companies, (boy is there a wide range of interesting folks to choose from), and will be coming down next week. Turns out it is cherry and there are many clotches and joint that may 'turn' out well. Any suggestions on storing,drying and when to begin turning on recently downed wood? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 Check for bugs and treat appropriately and keep it away from your house and lumber storage just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Edgar Posted February 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2017 Unfortunately the tree turned out to be cherry. The loss of the tree was somewhat offset by three nice crotches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted February 19, 2017 Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 If you are going to turn that cherry, most of the turners I talk to say to get your bowls roughed out as soon as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Rex Edgar Posted February 19, 2017 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 First of three. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted February 20, 2017 Report Share Posted February 20, 2017 Cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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