Looking for some advice on this beech

[Rock Monkey]

Hi All

 

My friend has this beech in his garden. He loves the tree and by no means wants it gone, but is concerned about this cavity near the base of the stem. It appears to be an old wound where a branch has been removed - probably when the extension was added to the house, not sure when. The cavity isnt huge but is constantly holding rain water. At most it is about 7-8" deep. The tree has a lean to it which is away from the house, but that said, he doesnt want it to eventually flatten his chicken coop and poly-tunnel!

 

Would you say he has reason to be concerned? As I said, he want to avoid having it removed, do you think it warrants a reduction to get some weight off? Or would you say leave it as is? there does seem to be plenty of good stem..

 

Any advice appreciated!

 

Cheers

[Paul Smith]

Leave it alone!

[Rock Monkey]

That's my view too Paul, it's a lovely tree. I just don't want to tell him it's fine and then get a call in the future saying its flattened his tomatoes! I guess I'm looking for reassurance I've told him the right thing!

 

 

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[Ian C]

Leave alone, nothing in life is guaranteed but it looks ok too me.

 

That's an old wound and will of compartmented by now.

 

If fruiting body's are seen then re avaluate.

[treeseer]

At Biomechanics Week 2010 there were 2 plane trees of the same origin and size and age. One had an open pruning wound with a lot of rot but also with woundwood, but not as much as that beech of yours!

 

Both planes were pulled over. The one with the wound held fast until roots failed. The "defect-free" stem broke in half. As a profession, we are poor at assessing weaknesses in trees. We should be assessing strengths instead.

[Stubby]

Just stick a door mouse in it and carry on as normal !

[Gary Prentice]

If its full of water I think the anaerobic conditions should reduce the spread of decay.

[Arb Rhino]

Put some gaffa tape over the hole and leave alone! Like they say " if it can't be fixed with gaffa tape you aren't using enough tape!" Haha

 

 

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