Bulge On Cherrybark Oak

[Birdyman88]

Okay, anyone want to speculate on what this bulge may be?

This is an old Cherrybark Oak, about 130ft tall, 4.6' DBH. The bulge is located about 6' above the ground. There are raised areas from old barbed wire lower on the trunk, but they aren't anywhere close to being this size. The tree has large 20" diameter limb, 45' long, that is dead with signs of hypoxylon canker. There is other major dead wood as well. The tree is still very much alive, but the upper canopy looks thin in some areas. Other than some cavities where old limbs were shed, and a few small spots where the bark has smoothed, there aren't any other signs of disease on the trunk. The tree has never pruned, at least in the history of our subdivision. The majority of the limb weight is on the left side and back side of tree (as you're looking at picture).

 

[KTSmith]

Sorry, but I'm not sure if I'm focusing on the right bit. The obvious swelling that begins about half-way up the stem is mostly easily explained by girdling. Sure, wire (barbed or otherwise) could do it. Polypropylene clothesline could too, etc.

 

[Birdyman88]

Yes, that's the correct area. We have no history behind this tree other than it is located next to a very old family cemetery, and the original homesite was located about 150 yards away. This tree is on a non-buildable lot in our 20 year old subdivision and we have been trying to assess this and another red oak about the same size.

 

[Stephen Moore]

Yes, that's the correct area. We have no history behind this tree other than it is located next to a very old family cemetery, and the original homesite was located about 150 yards away. This tree is on a non-buildable lot in our 20 year old subdivision and we have been trying to assess this and another red oak about the same size.

Cargo strap?

 

[Stephen Moore]

May wish to employ the use of a metal detector in this tree?

 

[evo]

Could also have been a winch line used to pull a truck out or the such. A item doesn't need to be imbedded, just the trunk damaged to start creating reaction wood.

 

[Stephen Moore]

Yep that’s true! But I wouldn’t deny the possibility of a foreign object still in the tree?

 

[Stephen Moore]

Takes 10 seconds to scan it.

 

[Stephen Moore]

Saves pooching chain unnecessarily

 

[evo]

Saves pooching chain unnecessarily

or just cut above and below

 

[Stephen Moore]

Id scan the first 10 feet of that trunk, Ill bet ya theres nails and all kinds of shit in there

 

[Birdyman88]

Does anybody think there's a possibility that the tree is collapsing in that area? We noticed that the bulge is slightly narrower and bulges more on the [left and back] sides of the tree where the limb weight is. In the meantime, I'm going to find a metal detector.

 

[Stephen Moore]

An increment bore might also answer some questions about the rot. Be sure to clean it real weel with alcohol if you use one so as not to transmit that shit to another tree

 

[Birdyman88]

Roger that.

 

[evo]

Nah I’d put $ that there is little to no decay in that area

 

[JD3000]

I vote reaction wood as well.

 

[Birdyman88]

Thanks for input. It may take a little while, but I will update with what I find. Got to find a metal detector. I may attempt my stud finder in metal detection mode first just for kicks since tree is only 60 yards behind my house.

 

[cerviarborist]

Sounding with a mallet should tell you everything you need to know. Why go to advanced assessment techniques when the basics haven't been utilized? Remember that reaction wood has close to twice the strength of original wood. If it sounds solid....it quite likely is.

 

[guymayor]

As usual I TOTALLY agree with Mr. Cervi. Sound first, wound later--or not at all.

The shape of it reminds me of the "Belted Buttress" phenomenon, not uncommon on veteran oaks. This is a detective case on the back burner.

And if it did eat barbed wire, any indigestion is likely long past--and it may be too deep for a metal detector to detect!

 

[jed1124]

I was at a talk by Neil Hendrickson last Thursday at the CTPA summer meeting (he was filling in Kevin i believe). He showed a picture of this exact thing and explained that it is reaction wood put down by a tree when the tree is literally "compressing" do to extensive weight over an area of decay.