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Name: Richard
Status: student
Grade: N/A
Location: N/A
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Date: N/A
Question:
We have a huge old Hickory tree on our property that has somewhat of a hollow middle near the bottom. Is there a way to treat this by spraying or filling the cavity with something?

Replies:
Old trees typically are hollow, and often survive for many years. Once upon a time arborists (tree care professionals) filled hollows but current thinking is it does more harm than good. If the tree is still basically healthy, normal growth protects it, and any intervention may actually handicap that process. Given that, sooner or later the tree may become weak and blow over in a storm - that's just the natural process of life and death. So protect it from further damage, and enjoy your tree.

J. Elliott

This may be helpful:

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/text/hollow_trees.html

Anthony Brach Ph.D.


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