? re: Holes in my red maple tree.

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LoraB Billerica, MA(Zone 6a) Jun 20, 2006

Hi all.
I have a red maple (acer rubrum) that is approx 6 years old. Really healthy and growing well each year.
This spring, my husband discovered something has made a (relatively) large (considering the trunk is only a few inches around) hole in the trunk. Does anyone have any suggestions on what might have done this? Or how to "heal" the tree so that it continues to thrive?
Thanks,
LoraB.

Post #2410034
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snapple45 Holland, OH(Zone 5b) Jun 20, 2006

Can you post a pic? Did it appear suddenly? How high up the trunk is it? Is it on the sunnny side or the shady side? Is it perfectly round or is it oval? Are the edged ragged or relatively smooth?

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LoraB Billerica, MA(Zone 6a) Jun 20, 2006

Here's a photo of the holes. When I was taking the photo, I began to kind of "press" on the wound. There is definately something in there. I couldn't tell what, but I saw movement.

The tree is in full sun. And the hole is about 4 feet up the trunk.

I really don't want this tree to die as we planted it our 1st year in our 1st house.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Lora

Thumbnail by LoraB
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snapple45 Holland, OH(Zone 5b) Jun 20, 2006

This is only a GUESS, but here goes. It looks like trunk/heart rot (Phellinus igniarius) or more likely canker (from Nectria, Eutypella, Hypoxylon, Schizoxylon, Strumella, etc.) Red maples are very susceptible to both these types of diseases. I suggest you get a tree guy who is a Certified Arborist that can definitively diagnose and possibly treat. If either of these rots are the problem then the tree will decline and die. If it is not too advanced, cleaning and filling the cavity might, big might, stop the advance. A tree can sometimes wall off infected areas if they are otherwise not under other stresses such as drought or soil compaction etc. If there is something moving in there it could also be borer activity, but they usually leave small round holes, same for woodpecker acticity.

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conifers Rock Island, IL(Zone 5b) Jun 21, 2006

That looks like serious rot to me! Not good...

Definitley not insect-looking.

Dax

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