What to do about hole in tree

[Gulfcoasttoad]

We have recently moved in, and a large chunk of concrete has fallen out of the tree in our front yard (in Texas). A quick web search revealed that the concrete method was a bad idea in the first place, but this was probably done 20 years ago by the previous homeowner. There is still some concrete left. Should I leave it or remove it? What should I do with the remaining cavity? Thanks in advance for any ideas.

[fagus]

Crown thin as has been suggested.

When it is so close to the house you can keep an eye on it yourself. Have a look out in inclement weather particularly in winds and judge what, if anything, is happening that could be of a concern e.g creaking sounds and excessive movement.

[Le Sanglier]

You know this thread is a year old right? anyway thinning is a waste of time, guy is going to trim it himself (and almost certainly already has)

[kieran connell]

no! didnt know its a year old, still finding my way around this site.

why would thinning be a waste of time? nothing wrong with suggesting that, especially as its a fotie from a thousand odd miles away.

[Bob Rolfe]

Sorry all you chaps that want to retain the tree personally I don't think the tree is getting any better and pruning the thing ain't right it's throwing good money at a bad investment fell and replace ... It's next to a property and private residence

[daltontrees]

We don't know if the original creator of the thread is still looking in, so it might be academic anyway. But for what it's worth the tree is a leaner towards a bungalow and when it fails it will break the house in two and could hurt anyone inside. The concrete fell out because it doesn't fit the hole any more and/or because the stem was flexing more than usual. Scalping the tree is bound to give the decay the upper hand in the ongoing battle. If the house gets dented the building insurer's going to ask questions about why nothing was done (or no professional advice was commissioned) about such a glaring defect.

I liked the replanting nearby and scalping meantime idea. Anything else is russian roulette.

[Mikyb]

I know this is an old thread, but I have only just read it.

 

I once read somewhere that if you were to fill the gap with anything; expanding foam would be a good idea, as it will keep out the rain but also flex with the tree and will not be abrasive like concrete. You can wait for it to set, then carve it to shape. I suppose it you were really artistic you could paint it to blend in with the rest of the tree too?

 

Just wondered what people think about this? (the foam part not the painting)

[Jake Andrews]

That's what we do,

 

Scrape out rotten,loose or wet wood,fill with expandable foam, we usually place tin over the top too stop parrots and cockatiels ripping it apart then paint to a close colour.

 

Customers love it aesthetically because it's better than looking at a cavity,also stops wildlife having parties in there.

 

Jake:thumbup1:

[JonnyVine]

I know this is an old thread, but I have only just read it.

 

I once read somewhere that if you were to fill the gap with anything; expanding foam would be a good idea, as it will keep out the rain but also flex with the tree and will not be abrasive like concrete. You can wait for it to set, then carve it to shape. I suppose it you were really artistic you could paint it to blend in with the rest of the tree too?

 

Just wondered what people think about this? (the foam part not the painting)

 

It used to be standard procedure years ago and I hear it can help prevent shell buckling in some circumstances.

[afro reductions]

Why would you want to keep out rain?, sitting water forms an effective barrrier form the ingress of pathogens , I do not agree with this anthropogenic filling of cavities, just asking for more problems, disturbing natural processes and codit , basically messing around in an area we really do not know enough about (Shigo 2006).

[Gary Prentice]

Why would you want to keep out rain?, sitting water forms an effective barrrier form the ingress of pathogens , I do not agree with this anthropogenic filling of cavities, just asking for more problems, disturbing natural processes and codit , basically messing around in an area we really do not know enough about (Shigo 2006).

 

But it can be useful to prevent arson....