Best way to save a dying tree?

[NetWareHead]

So I have a linden (tilia) tree in my backyards that is a great shade tree. Wide with far reaching branches that we have used the space under to hst many bbqs and outdoor parties.

The tree was always pruned and taken care of but in one space where it was pruned (a very large branch was cut off), I am noticing rot there. Instead of the tree continuing to grow and curl around the sliced off stump; sealing it off, the wood there has rotted and flaked away.

So I decided to clean up the wound and noticed that I was abler to pull out handfuls of rotted wood. I was able to excavate a channel into the interior of the tree using my hands; removing dead flaky soggy wood. I used my leaf blower to direct air into the channel in an attempt to clear the channel of as much debris as possible. I found huge grubs in there, a few the thickness of my thumb!

I had a bottle of tree pruning sealer which looks like tar for all intents and purposes. I dumped the contents of the bottle inside there but I will need far more. By estimates I will need a gallon or more of tar to fill the hole up and seal it.

But something else is also telling m,e that this is not just a simple bandaid, I think the tree requires either treatment or somethign better than tree tar.

Ive received suggestions to fill the tree hollow with concrete, that will prevent further damage to the interior of the tree. Dont know about that because if I have to chop down the tree, it will be dangerous to slice that section of the trunk with a chainsaw if it contains concrete. Someone else suggested using plaster of paris which will seal the hole fine and allow a chainsaw to cut through it if need be.

Id like to save the tree if possible, it is in a perfect spot of the yard. I wont rule out calling an arborist if need be but would like to attempt somethign on my own first.

What do you guys say?

 

[highland145]

Any idea how old it is and the typical life span of them?

 

[NetWareHead]

Any idea how old it is and the typical life span of them?

Tree seems pretty mature, possible a 3 foot wide trunk at the base, Its plenty tall too, I'd estimate 100 feet. We have a 2 story tall house with a flat roof and when I stand up there, I'd estimate I'm only halfway up the tree level. No idea on the age.

 

[Zivic]

I had a linden with something similar. brought in a 'tree guy' and in the end, I cut it down per his recommendation.

I'd have concern if the tree was in close proximity to a building/structure

and

how deep does the rot go? sounds like it's fairly deep ... and it sounds like the tree isn't really fighting it/showing signs of improving.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Hire an arborist.

 

[dphantom]

Hire an arborist.

This.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Was water able to penetrate the stump? If water is channeled down the branches into the trunk and able to stand, it can cause that rot and attract insects that can do damage. The grubs are likely feeding off the rot and water that's present and not eating the tree like a pine beetle or a termite would. The problem though is that rot of any kind will attract those kinds of pests.

You just have to figure out what the cause of the rot is.... Water damage, disease, or insect damage....then try to figure out whether or not the damage is reversible or repairable. As Magnus said....a specialist will be able to give you an idea on the best approach to prolong its existence.

 

[turtile]

Unless you really value the tree, cut it down. Without seeing it, I can't tell which type of rot it is (you can cut out brown rot since that is usually very dry).

Since your tree is infected with a pathogen, simply sealing off the cut won't work. You'll need to use systemic fungicide injected into the plant (and you can only use many of these 2 times in a row due to resistance and they are no where near cheap!).

You should never remove a huge branch off a large tree - and if you do it wrong, it's just about a death sentence for certain species.

 

[rocco518]

Best bet is to call an arborist, or a consulting arborist. Not sure what type of Linden it is, can't tell the age or growth rate. It is a weak wooded tree, though. If your house, or building is downwind from the tree, be more concerned. A root system of a tree grows one to two times as wide as the crown(branch spread) of the tree. But the tree is affected by proximity to structures, compaction of soil, driveways, walkways which channel water and nourishment away from roots and such. Was the tree ever thinned out professionally? Less branches means more nutrients per remaining branch, and allows winds to blow through the tree and not "at" the tree, encouraging limb damage or worse. The rotting of wood didn't just happen overnight. Filling with concrete is a no-no. It also discourages the natural healing process of the tree. Trees grow, and die, from the inside out with new growth just underneath the bark every year. A tree could be completely leafed out, looking good, but hollow, waiting to fall. Did you have drought conditions lately? Excessive cold winters? Were the size of the leaves exceptionally smaller at the top of the tree, somewhat stunted? Signs of sawdust anywhere. Good chance ants or other insects are in more places than one. As soon as that wound developed, any bacteria in the air began attacking that tree. Unlike humans, trees are productive tissue, not reproductive, so wound(s) will always remain. Some heal better than others. Pruning tar is another no-no. It slows down natural healing. Don't do it. Another suggestion to filling a hole is the use of Great Stuff expanding foam, though it is somewhat toxic to the tree. The one they make for ponds is fish-safe, thereby not toxic. But it might be too late, as well as being a big hole to fill. Wind probably blows rain, and or snow into the opening. Good chance that a crotch above the wound is allowing water to get in as well.

 

[T9D]

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[MrPickins]

Dont know about that because if I have to chop down the tree, it will be dangerous to slice that section of the trunk with a chainsaw if it contains concrete. Someone else suggested using plaster of paris which will seal the hole fine and allow a chainsaw to cut through it if need be.

Do not fill it with concrete. It will not help the situation an will likely make it worse.

 

[rocco518]

you do not want to make any more cuts. the tree will compartmentalize above and below the wound and from the inside to the outside. you cannot carve anything out unfortunately anytime you have an open wound the bacteria hits the wound will close but not completely heal. the tree is not reproductive tissue.