How to Find a Rotting Tree Before the Next Storm
The morning after a severe weather event – be it a local thunderstorm or a violent hurricane – people cautiously walk out of their homes to inspect the damage. If you live somewhere with trees, chances are you will find at least a few that no longer stand on or near your property.
While powerful storms can break a living tree in half, many trees that fall during thunderstorms or strong gusts of wind actually rot, making them even more vulnerable to fall. While some trees are visibly decaying, others (like many of us) are crumbling inside. Here’s how to find a rotting tree so you can deal with it at your convenience rather than after the next storm.
What happens when a tree rots?
Usually, before a tree starts to rot, it is damaged in some way – be it a storm, an animal, an accident, etc. – leaving bare, damaged trees. Then, according to Tony Barnett of Horticultural Know-how , various organisms enter it, including fungi, which begin to destroy the wood inside the tree, causing it to weaken. The fungus then makes its way to other parts of the tree, leaving a trail of decay in its wake.
What are the signs of a rotting tree?
The first thing to know is that some trees tend to rot more easily than others; In particular, conifers such as oak, Alexander Sherman, a forester in Springfield City, Massachusetts, told WWLP .
So what should you be looking for? Here are some signs of tree rot, courtesy of Sherman and Mr. Tree Service from Portland, Oregon:
- Mushroom-like growth on the outside of the trunk, especially around the base of trees, or on any branches or stems.
- Lack of bark or deep markings
- A crack in the barrel that is shaped like a “V” rather than a “U”.
- The ability to see inside the torso at the site of injury
- Withered leaves
- Stunted tree growth or stunted growth
- Dead branches on the ground around the tree
- Small sawdust at the base of the tree
- Sidewalk cracks due to uprooting
Can a rotting tree be saved?
Unfortunately, not really. Once the tree has begun to rot, it is best to remove the visibly damaged branches. If most of the tree has already rotted, removing it is usually the only option, especially if you live in an area prone to storms or high winds (which seems to be mostly all over the place at the moment) to avoid potential damage from rotting trees. fall by themselves.
In addition, when you prune infected parts of a tree, it “reduces the risk of airborne fungi colonizing other nearby trees,” Barnett writes.