Hallow Tree Traditional Cache
Thingamabob: Archive 30 days: jstrout
As this cache was not reactivated within the 30-day window noted within the reviewer/disable note, the listing will now be archived.
Thingamabob
Community Volunteer Reviewer
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Difficulty:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Hollow Trees
Hollow trees result from a tree injury when Walls 1, 2, and 3 fail to stop the spread of decay. Fungi cause wood decay and insects assist with wood removal. Wall 4 remains intact so new growth continues to occur on the outer part of the trunk. The hollow portion of the tree will not exceed the diameter of the tree at the time of injury unless Wall 4 is damaged.
Traditionally, homeowners have attempted to clean decay from the cavity and to add a material, such as concrete, to fill the empty space. Cavity treatment is an exacting process that if done incorrectly can shorten the life of the tree. The hard rim of tissue, Wall 4, surrounding the decayed wood must not be broken or decay could spread to the wood produced after the initial injury. If you chose to remove decayed wood, only remove wood that comes out easily.
Benefits from filling the cavity are questionable at best. Since the fill material will expand and contract at a different rate than tree wood it can create problems of its own. The strength of a hollow tree comes from the new wood produced after the injury, not from material used to fill a cavity. Remove hollow trees that appear weak and are likely to fall.
Sometimes the cavity will contain water. The old recommendation was to drill holes below the cavity so the water could drain. However, drilling holes will break the barrier that keeps the decay from invading healthy wood. If water has been present for one or more growing seasons, the tree has already adjusted. You can cover hollow openings with a piece of tin or window screen filled with plaster to keep out animals, water, and to form a surface that allows new tissue to grow over the opening.
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