Fluting as indication of decay in Populus nigra x Italica

[CReid]

Hi everyone. I've heard it stated a few times that increase buttress flair and fluting is an indication of internal rot in Populus nigra x Italica. I've never seen this myself and can't find any reference to studies showing this. Does anyone have photographic examples of what to look for, or a failed tree showing the fluting to be concerned about? The species naturally has buttress flair and fluting so I'm trying to establish how it would look different from the norm. 

 

Thanks in advance for any advice. 

[Steve Bullman]

Never heard this before. Like you say, they are naturally fluted anyway!

[Stubby]

22 carat , gold embossed , ivory inlaid , leather bound , black enameled , jumped up , stuffed up , never come down ,  weapons grade bollox .  🙂

[eggsarascal]

1 hour ago, Stubby said:

22 carat , gold embossed , ivory inlaid , leather bound , black enameled , jumped up , stuffed up , never come down ,  weapons grade bollox .  🙂

Should I presume you ain’t having it mate?

[Will C]

If it’s a pop there will be rot somewhere. Fluting or not, probably just fluted as it’s got big enough to rot!

Edited June 24, 2023 by Will C

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Not aware of any direct correlation between the two factors (as Stubby has so eloquently stated, lol) but doubtless it is coincidental in some instances as pronounced buttress flair / fluting is a known characteristic of the species (at maturity) and, as they are 'poor' compartmentalizers, rot / decay is often present in the corresponding stem,section (particularly when they've been previously 'topped' (NOT pollarded!!! - see BS3998 Sect. 7.10) - a common practice.) 

 

Of course, in terms of significance, where prominent fluting / buttressing is present, the significance of any internal decay is likely reduced (often confined to the central core IME (albeit many years ago when I encountered the species more often.)    

 

Just "my thoughts" on the subject that concur with others....PHEW

 

Cheers,

Paul

[Stere]

Adaptive growth?

 

 

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

2 minutes ago, Stere said:

Adaptive growth?

Possibly/probably, but more in response to the size and form of the tree, i..e transfer of loading down the stem (a natural / characteristic thing), than internal decay, i.e. bottle-butt or swelling.

 

2 minutes ago, Stere said:

 

 

[Stere]

Just googled and found unreferenced some mention of it with regards to oaks:

 

Quote

Oak trees may develop buttress roots to help with their stability in response to heartwood decay.

 

 

https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/Heartwood-Fungi

 

[Dan Maynard]

I've heard of it in oaks, bottlebutt etc. Pops seem to react by turning to mush.