Rotting hole in tree

[Lin11]

About 8 years ago we had a limb removed from a mature multi-stemmed eucalyptus tree. Over the years the stump has gradually rotted and now has a hole around 6 inches deep in it with the wood at the bottom extremley soft and rotten.

Can anyone offer me any advice on the best way to stop it rotting further and whether to cover the hole to stop water/creatures getting in? Also, how harmful is this hole likely to be for the rest of the tree?

 

Thanks. :-)

 

Here's a link to a picture of the stump:

 

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

[showoffsummer]

Hi- just a disclaimer that this is my own personal opinion and I hold no responsibility to the tree.

 

But basically a wound like that cannot get better as trees don't heal, if you get a screwdriver and have a poke in the actual rot and see how deep that goes and if it looks rotten underneath another one of the limbs that may be a concern.

If a limb dose fall what could it hit?

And if you state your location I'm sure someone on this forum will be more than happy to have a look at the tree in person for a tea and buiscit! As just from pictures know one would want to diagnose the tree as being safe or dangerous.

 

Hope this helps. Cheers ciaran glyde