I removed a 10 inch limb 9 years ago from a 40 inch diameter silver
maple, taking care not to damage the branch collar. The cut seems to
closing in and healing okay, there is only about a 4 inch hole left and
will be closed over in the next year. The problem is that over the
last few years, there is a hollow area developing behind the cut, it's
about 10 inches back and 18 inches down behind the cut.

I'm concerned the hollow area will weaken the tree or allow disease, if
it hasnt already. The rest of the tree seems fine. I've seen trees
where folks have filled in hollow areas with concrete. Is there
something that should be done to fill in this hollow area, or should it
be left alone.

Kevin wrote:
I removed a 10 inch limb 9 years ago from a 40 inch diameter silver
maple, taking care not to damage the branch collar. The cut seems
to closing in and healing okay, there is only about a 4 inch hole
left and will be closed over in the next year. The problem is that
over the last few years, there is a hollow area developing behind
the cut, it's about 10 inches back and 18 inches down behind the
cut.

I'm concerned the hollow area will weaken the tree or allow
disease, if it hasnt already. The rest of the tree seems fine.
I've seen trees where folks have filled in hollow areas with
concrete. Is there something that should be done to fill in this
hollow area, or should it be left alone.

Leave it alone.

--

Travis in Shoreline (just North of Seattle) Washington
USDA Zone 8
Sunset Zone 5

I'm with Travis. Leave it alone.
Newt

I am with Travis and Newt. Leave it alone.

--
Mike LaMana, MS, CTE
NJDEP Approved Forester
ASCA Reg. Consulting Arborist #425
Heartwood Consulting Services, LLC
Toms River, NJ
www.HeartwoodConsulting.net


"Newt" wrote in message
...

Travis Wrote:
Kevin wrote:-
I removed a 10 inch limb 9 years ago from a 40 inch diameter silver

thanks for the info --

I'm new to tree physiology -- what becomes of the hollow area ? once
the cut closes over does the hollow area fill itself in?

Sometimes yes and sometimes no. Take a look here at picture #62.
http://imageevent.com/mdvaden/treere...7zh1.buffalo_s

You might also find this interesting.
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/ho...haz/ht_haz.htm

Newt