Comments on: Updated: Massive Historic Tree Down Across Ponce Near Post Office

By: GG in GA

GG in GA — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:49:59 +0000

It is hard to tell from a visual inspection sometimes.

I had a friend who was told that her big beautiful tree was dying/dead due to a section of rot that was found. So she had it cut down. When it came down, it was obvious that the tree was still heathy, and just that little portion needed to be treated. She was heartbroken.

There is a test that I have heard of called the resistograph that can measure decay. It is almost like an EKG for trees, and it measures the resistance of the wood to a drill. This test is slightly invasive but does not harm the tree.

But yes, definitely call an arborist.

By: cubalibre

cubalibre — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:43:12 +0000

Oh, the poor old thing– it might’ve been a little stronger if so much of its root system hadn’t been weakened/killed. Now I’m even sadder than I was!

But your other info on how trees can “block off” their blighted areas was very interesting. I learn something new on this blog every day!

By: anniefannie

anniefannie — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:21:35 +0000

you can have a certified arborist come out and take a look at any trees in question. i’m pretty sure arborguard will come out free of charge.

By: Misha

Misha — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:33:37 +0000

So I guess my question would be, is there a way to tell if a tree is on its way out and should be pruned/cut down? All of these fallen trees are freaking me out. I guess maybe you just have to hope you’re not in the wrong place at the wrong time, but it’d be nice to be able to at least check the trees within striking distance of your own house.

By: holly

holly — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:53:33 +0000

When a neighbor had a tree removed recently, cement was discovered inside it as well. Apparently this is/was a way that a damaged tree was “saved”; it apparently does work, to some extent, or else the tree would have been lost many, many years prior to now! As an aside, and I’m not sure if some of the cement near the base of the tree was due to this (they did not grind the stump due to this), the home owner did remember there being a bomb shelter directly beneath this tree!