Xtremehorticulture

Tree Dead on the Inside is Normal

Q. What’s wrong with my tree? The tree is
dying from the inside to the outside.  I
can see dead wood on the inside that is rotting through a big hole in the side
of the tree.

All trees that are not in the grass family, such as palm trees, are dead on the inside and the living part is just under the bark.


A.  Older trees are dead on the inside and have a
cylinder of living tissue just under the bark. 
If the dead wood inside of the tree becomes infected with wood-rotting
microorganisms, they can consume the entire inside of the tree, eventually
leaving it hollow but alive. 
            The
center of the tree can get infected with these microorganisms when large
branches break or they are removed with an unsanitary chain saw.  It is important to remove broken branches as
soon as possible with a sanitized chainsaw or hand saw.  The remaining wound is left to heal on its
own without any sealer being applied.
            The
dead wood inside the tree has little chance of fighting off wood-rotting
microorganisms.  Once infected, these
microorganisms spread easily through the dead, internal parts of the tree. 
            These
microorganisms do not invade or damage healthy, living parts of the tree.  Keep trees healthy with appropriate
irrigations.  Fertilize them once a year
in early spring.  Sanitize and sharpen
any tools that cut into any healthy parts of the tree.  

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