QuestionHello,
I have three very large mature (60 years?) old oak trees. I think they might be
white oak trees. This winter I noticed spots of lighter bark had appeared on
the tree. It seems that the tree might be shedding. I am worried that there
might be a problem with the trees. They are very close to my house and my
neighbors house as well as utility lines. Is shedding typical of oak trees in
Maryland?
Also, I did have someone come out to look at the trees (they were puzzled by
the shedding) and tested the trees with rubber mallet. He thought the trees
sounded fine. However, a nearby maple tree he hit had a hollow sound. The
tree seems fine however. Are there other signs to tell if a maple tree is
decaying on the inside?
Thank you! All your answers I've read so far have been very informative!
Answeras long as the foliage on the oak is green and looks healthy the tree is ok. Sounds like a fungus on the bark making the bark shed.
The maple maybe decaying on the inside but this dose not mean that the trees is going to die. When a decay fungus gets into a wound the fungus will grow into the woody part of the tree and decay the wood. The living layer under the bark is the cambium and this is the living tissue of the tree that supplies the leaves and roots with food and water. The only thing the wood is for is for support and this decay if it grows into a limb may cause the limb to break off during a wind storm. Again as long as the foliage is green and healthy looking the tree is OK.
There is a tool called an increment borer that can be drilled into the tree trunk and it will take a core from the wood and you can see if the inside is decayed. You can call the local State Forestry agency and ask one of their Foresters to come take a look and bring an increment borer to check the decay. But there is nothing that can be done to stop the decay but the good news is it is very very slow and tree live for many years with hollow trunks. The best thing is to fertilize the trees that fall and water during droughts.
