Living Hollow Trees
Occasionally, you may come across a living tree whose central core has completely rotted away. How does it survive? It comes down to two types of wood that are produced within a tree: sapwood, which is soft and flexible, and heartwood, which is hard and durable.
Sapwood is made up of cells filled with water, while heartwood contains air pockets. When a tree dies, the sapwood begins to dry out and shrink. As it dries, the heartwood becomes harder and denser.
Eventually, the heartwood stops expanding and contracts. This causes the sapwood to crack and split apart, and eventually the tree falls over.
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What Is Sapwood?
Sapwoods are the youngest parts of a tree. They are responsible for transporting water and nutrients throughout the tree. Sapwood is also the softest part of the tree. It is usually lighter in color than the heartwood.
Sapwood is the part of the tree that is alive and growing. Sapwood is the layer of the tree that transports water and nutrients from the roots to the top of the tree.
Hollowing is when a tree loses its core due to natural disasters like fires, storms, insects, etc. Hollowing happens because the core of the tree is exposed. Once the wood’s core is exposed, bacteria and fungi begin to decay the wood.
When the core is completely decayed, the tree dies. However, if the sapwood remains intact, the tree will survive. Sapwood is the living tissue of the tree.
Sapwood contains a network of vessels called xylem that transport water and nutrients throughout the tree.
Is A Hollow Tree Dangerous?
Tree hollows are natural occurrences. They happen when a large branch falls out of a tree and breaks off at its base. Hollows are usually found near the bottom of the trunk, but sometimes they occur higher up.
If there is a hole in your roof, it could be caused by a hollowed out tree. A tree hollow is not dangerous unless it becomes wet and rotted.
When a tree starts to rot, it will often fall down. If you notice any unusual activity around your tree, contact your local arborist.
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Signs Of A Hollow Tree
Trees need to be checked regularly for any signs of disease or decay. Some signs are more harmful than others. An arborist can help you determine what needs to be done to keep your tree healthy.
Hollow spots along the tree trunk are not an indication that the tree is sick. Hollow spots are actually normal and healthy. Hollow spots can even be beneficial because they allow air to circulate around the roots.
Hollow spots are usually caused by insects burrowing into the wood. Insects like termites and carpenter ants cause hollow spots when they feed on the sapwood of the tree.
If you notice any hollow spots, you should contact your local arborist to determine whether there is anything wrong with the tree.
Younger trees are not as strong as older ones. They also have fewer branches and a smaller leaf area, making them weaker against wind and snow loads. If a tree is hit by lightning, it will likely fall if it isn’t already weakened by other factors.
