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9 years ago

My son had an elderly silver maple fall on his car and total it. The photos show that the inside of the trunk was mulch. The tree experts were unable to determine the age of the tree because there were no rings, it was hollow. Based on the size they estimated over 100yrs. What causes the trunk to become hollow or wet and mulched? Also, was the tree destined to collapse or could it have withstood high winds?

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Comments (2)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
Interior or heartwood rot in trees can arise from various sources but all are fungal in nature. Affected trees can remain alive and even standing for many years, however at some point what happened in the photos will happen and the tree will fall. And doesn't necessarily have to be the result of wind.........it can just happen.
Diane thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
9 years ago
Some random thoughts:

In the big sense, every tree is gonna fall.

In my experience slicing through trees rot comes from a wound or poorly structured branching.

FWIW, Silver maples seem prone to rot so it would not take as much.
Diane thanked Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
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