Water pool developing where branch was cut

[Magnolia]

A magnolia tree on my land that had almost a second trunk (or a branch) fork away from the trunk very low to the ground had to be removed as it was obstructing the pathway.

 

Many years have past and now the tree has grown around the stump, but recently the middle of the stump began swelling. It swelled so much that pieces fell out, and in the hole it left a pool of water.

 

What’s in the hole is extremely rotted, and the water can’t escape.

 

I’m concerned this will kill the tree. The main part of the tree does look well however.

Im considering cutting a very shallow channel (width of a chain saw cut), to let the water out, and let it stay dry.

 

Either that or I just leave it?

 

thoughts?

 

 

[kram]

The current best practise is to leave it as is - the tree has healed over the original wound.

 

If you cut a slot or drill holes, that only adds a fresh wound that is surrounded by already rotting material, which will cause further infection and rot.

 

A less harmful alternative could be a peice of cloth in the hole which will wick out the water.

Note that being wet may prevent some fungi and insects that would thrive if it were a dry hole.

Edited 5 hours ago by kram

[Excels1or]

As above, fungis doesnt like anaerobic conditions so leave as is.

[Stubby]

Put some soil in it and a few dafodil bulbs . Looks good in the spring . 

[kram]

2 hours ago, Stubby said:

Put some soil in it and a few dafodil bulbs . Looks good in the spring . 

Or a slow growing tree. Japanese maple or an oak would likely progress slower than the rot and could become quite an interesting one over 20 years or so.