I was pruning deadwood off my mountain ash tree this evening. There was a “Y” fork, and one of the branches was healthy, the other dead. So I cut off the dead one as close to the joint of the “Y” as I could - and discovered that there was a rotting hole in the centre of the dead branch, spreading into the live branch.
I want to stop the rot. Is there something I can pour into the hole to keep moisture out and prevent rot? Do I have to clean out further deadwood from inside the hole? If so, how?
I’ve seen mortar or concrete used to seal holes in trees. These days there may be a better chemical sealer to keep moisture & rot out.
You may want to call an arborist. Preferably one that is ISA certified.
First off, and although it might be too late for this pruning cut, take a look at this diagram and the branch collar in the first diagram tutorial.
When pruning a tree limb, it’s not best to make a truly flush cut, but rather make cut flush with collar, as shown in first diagram. This will not only aid the tree in healing faster by reducing diameter of open wound, but branch collars contain conical decay-resistant structures called the branch core - and also overlapping wood fibers that further aid the tree in healing and provide natural defense against pathogens.
To slow the rot, I might recommend a liquid copper fungicide spray, but this will only delay the inevitable. So I do not recommend this treatment.
In this link here, the question you’re asking is posed and answered by a state forestry representative. How can I save a tree with internal rot? You can’t. You mght slow its decline, but you can’t stop the decay.
Although filling the wound cavity can sometimes aid the growing callus tissue by helping prevent its rolling inward, most experts do not recommend filling cavities of trees. Nor do I. From this link here…
“How should trees with cavities be treated? Recent research shows that it is better to leave the cavity open - remember no type of drainage, sterilization, fill material, wound paint, or scraping treatment stops decay - and simply take the necessary measures required to improve the overall health of the tree. A healthy tree has the strength to compartmentalize and wall-off decay.”
The above link provides additional information about tree cavities, and some materials that might be used to fill them, pros and cons concerning the practice.
And why it is overall not recommended.
Sorry about your ash hole.
Too soon!
extensive rot is hard to stop.
rotted wood needs to be removed. the cavity might need to have drainage so water can’t collect. screening and air may work, filling and plugging may not work.
ianaarborist. you could use one.
i too am also sorry about you distressed ash hole.
What’s the difference between Northern Piper and man with an old wooden dildo?
Northern Piper has a rotting hole in his ash tree…
If your Ash is rotting, it is likely turning into a Deadite. Apply immediate sunlight.