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I found a rotten oak with a 3 foot cavity hidden behind healthy bark
I was trimming a large oak in Nashville last week and the bark looked totally normal from the ground, but when I climbed up and tapped it, the whole trunk sounded hollow. I opened a small cut and found a cavity over 3 feet deep that could have collapsed on a house during the next storm. How do you guys check for internal decay without drilling into every tree you climb?
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charlienelson5mo ago
Had a similar thing happen with a big maple in my yard a few years back. I use a rubber mallet to tap along the trunk listening for a hollow thud versus a solid thump, which works pretty well for catching cavities. An arborist buddy of mine also swears by using a long thin drill bit to check suspicious spots without making a big mess, but I've never been that thorough myself. Your mileage may vary, but I'd rather be safe than sorry with trees near structures, especially after that oak you found.
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michaelf515mo ago
Honestly, I read something recently about arborists using a simple moisture meter to help spot decay before it gets bad. Seems like wet spots or soft bark can also be a dead giveaway that something's wrong inside. Tapping with a mallet sounds way more practical for a homeowner though, not everyone has a drill bit long enough for a thick trunk. Ngl, your buddy's method is smart if you really want to know for sure.
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grant.sam5mo ago
Wait, people actually drill into their trees on purpose? That's wild.
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