Is our tree dying? Remedy?

last year

Hi All,

I believe this is a Camphor Tree (not certain). It has the hole you see in the photo. We've been told to plug or it will die, and we have been told do not plug under any circumstances.

Does anyone have any advice. It's an amazing tree and we don't want to lose it!

Thank you!

Featured Answer

BillMN-z4a

last year

last modified: last year

I'm not acquainted with your particular type of tree, Brandon but 'Plugging' anything that's alive and growing is never a good thing. It can trap moisture causing more problems and I can't imagine why anyone would even suggest such a thing.

I don't know what caused the wound in your tree but just by looking at your pictures, it appears to be a little 'Slime flux disease' occurring inside the opening of the hole. It doesn't harm the tree, so nothing to be alarmed about and not a lot that can be done about it.

There may be some internal 'Heart rot' too, from when whatever caused the wound, in the inner wood but that's not a certainty and there again, not much can be done about that either.

But it's a big strong healthy tree and you should get many decades of enjoyment from it.

Some people say it even gives the tree more character.

Someone with more knowledge about this type of tree may come along with better advice than what I've told you but imo, there's not a lot to be concerned about with your tree.

;-)

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Comments (8)

Design Fan (NE z7a)
last year
Was the conflicting advice you received from licensed arborists?
Brandon Way
Original Author
last year
Not licensed arborists unfortunately, just landscape people.
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Brandon Way
Original Author
last year
The landscapers say plug it and I read somewhere online in a couple of spots that you should not.
Gyr
last year
The old wisdom was to plug it, but newer practices go towards plugging just removes the issue from sight, while the progress of damage continues. That is why you might be getting conflicting info (depending upon the knowledge level of those giving it). I agree that a licensed arborist would probably be able to give the best advice for your particular tree; we can't know the size and degree of internal damage from a photo.

The tree leaf shape, and a few other details, don't appear to be correct for the camphor id, but it is hard to tell from the photos. Sometimes very old trees develop slightly different characteristics from mature, but less aged, ones.
Brandon Way thanked Gyr
L Clark (zone 4 WY)
last year
last modified: last year
From what I see, the tree looks to be in relatively good condition. Yes, the hole in the tree is not ideal, and could eventually be the tre’s downfall, but we really have no idea how long that will take, and there’s really nothing to be done about it, either. I’d just sit back and enjoy it for now.
Brandon Way thanked L Clark (zone 4 WY)
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
If you can post pictures of the leaves and give your geographical location perhaps you can get an id. I can't clearly see the foliage.
BillMN-z4a
last year
last modified: last year
Just to add:

After looking at the third picture, the closeup of the hole.

At the top, it appears to be some encapsulation going on already.

Meaning that hole is most likely smaller than it was a couple of years ago.

I wouldn't be surprised if in a couple or three more years, that hole will be entirely closed up.

Encapsulation is the way woody plants take care of open wounds in their bark.

So just enjoy it while you have it and if down the road, there would be issues of concern that could possibly arise, you then could have an ISA certified arborist have a look and determine the overall health of the tree.
Brandon Way thanked BillMN-z4a