Thumping Tree

17 years ago

Let me precede this post by saying, no, I'm not crazy.. well not completely ;)

I was working in the garden yesterday and kept hearing a thump thump thump...or knocking noise, I first thought it was probably one of our woodpeckers so I started searching for it.

It turns out this noise was coming from our 60ft non fruit bearing cherry tree. A seemingly healthy cherry tree. I scanned every branch/limb very carefully mind you, this noise was not coming from a woodpecker.

I circled the tree several times, because I just couldn't believe the noise was coming from INSIDE the trunk of the tree, and not up in the canopy. I was completely baffled, because there is no opening/wound in the tree where a "critter" could enter this tree to make such a noise. It sounded quite clear, the best way I can describe it was like morse code from a hollow log and could be heard from 10-15 yds away.

Well, after circling the tree and inspecting the trunk and ground around it to make sure something hadn't dug a hole and crawled inside, and after making certain the neighbors weren't watching, I wrapped my arms around my beloved cherry tree and placed my ear against the bark and listened. I could actually feel the vibrations of the thumping! I was astonished! Well, I don't honestly know how long I had been "listening" to my tree before my 19yr old son interupted me with "mom, I know you love your garden, but this is taking it a little too far". Needless to say, I was a bit embarrassed by my literal tree hugging, but when I called him over to listen to the noise, he heard it as well. So I do have a witness ;)..nevertheless my DH thinks I'm a bit loonier now than normal.

Does anyone have a clue what this noise could have been, I'm worried now that I may lose my beautiful tree.

Featured Answer

User

5 years ago

Hi, my friends and I experienced similar thumping noises while exploring the wood behind our neighborhood. While we were walking through the trail we arrived at this secret trail and it lead to this clearing. We were super hot and decided to go back and gather some drinks. After we returned to the secret trail, we heard a rhythmic thump coming from the trees. My brave friend and I approached the thumping with a stick and a pocket knife. As we walked towards the thumping, the thumping sounded further away. My friends and I were freaked out but still decided to go into the clearing. When we went in the thumping all stopped. We hung out in the clearing for a little before leaving to go home again. as soon as we left the clearing the thumping started again. This time it sounded clearer and louder. This happened three days ago and we are going to investigate the thumping later today. Wish us luck...

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Comments (14)

SaintPFLA
17 years ago
No, you are not crazy...but that tree hugging scene is pretty funny!

Usually, it means there is a wood-boring insect (some beetles make those noises) living in your beloved tree. I'd call a certified arborist trained in treating that type of infestation quickly.

That would be my first guess. I'm hoping I'm wrong for your trees sake.
Carol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
17 years ago
Me, too, for your wallet's sake.
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thonotorose
17 years ago
Perhaps there is a coon's nest up high. We had one in a very tall tree. The entry hole was in a large fork and you could not see it from below.
kitchenshock
17 years ago
Given the size of the tree, my guess would be that its the movement of the larger branches and quite possibly two that have grown very close to one another where the slightest movement caused by the wind makes a knock. The sound and vibration would be easily transferred along the trunk and to the ground. My guess it was a day with a gentle breeze thus allowing you to hear the sound. Tall bamboo's do something like this too and its really nice to listen too.
KaraLynn
17 years ago
Like saintpfla suggested you should probably get a licenced arborist out to check on the tree. If it is insects them maybe it's not too late to treat the tree and save it. If it's two branches knocking together then you might need to have one of the branches removed to keep the bark from being damaged and possibly opening up the tree to insect or rot damage.

The mental image I got of you hugging the tree and then having your son wander over to you is hilarious! I can just image what his expression must have been seeing you standing there hugging that tree! LOL

Kara
manature
17 years ago
It's funny and worrisome, all at the same time! I sure hope it turns out to be something easily fixed, or even ignored. The question is, is it still doing it?

And I'd love to have seen a picture of you hugging your tree!

Good luck, and I hope you get an answer to the mystery.

Marcia
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
17 years ago
I'm seconding kitchenshock's guess - it was the 1st thing I thought of too - I've heard the weirdest noises that turned out to be branches rubbing or banging against stuff(like the edge of our roof). You said you checked all around the base of the tree - did you look up as well?
HU-456248225
7 years ago
Wow. This exact thing is happening to us right now camping . Ran across this post trying to figure out what it could be. Height of the tree, type of sound, distance it can be heard, everything.
mangorunner
7 years ago
Have you seen videos of trees being cut down and snakes slithering out from the hollow inside? Google "tree cut snake inside" - there's a bunch of them.
dirtygardener
7 years ago
It may just be the tree growing, sap rising in the warm weather. I know pine trees make that same sound in the spring when the sap starts flowing and I've heard sugar maples do too.

If the tree seems otherwise healthy and you see no signs of insects, I'd just keep an eye on it and see if they thumping stops.
Susan David Warr
7 years ago
I also have a thumping balsam fir that is about forty feet tall and at least a foot in diameter. It appears healthy. We are in mid winter. I don’t see any branches hitting anything but I can feel the thumping in the trunk. I am afraid it will blow down in our windy weather and cause some damage on the property so I am going to cut it down. I have never experienced this phenomenon before.
dirtygardener
7 years ago
Susan, please get some advice from an arborist before you destroy a beautiful, mature tree.
Susan David Warr
7 years ago
Thanks, dirtygardener, I will do that.