To drain or not to drain

[Tom Dunlap]

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[ATH]

My argument against covering: it will never dry out. You probably aren't going to seal it completely so water will still get in.

Drainage.... always hesitation to pierce CODIT walls, but I don't think a 1/2" hole is going to make a huge difference. I don't drain them, but get the other side of the argument.

 

[Shadowscape]

Would need more information. How big a hollow? How much water accumulates? What kind of tree? Is it hollow above the opening as well? How long has it been that way? Cause of the hollow?

With just the info given that it fills with water I would say, leave it alone.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

I'm with shadowscape here. Too little information to make an educated decision.

 

[evo]

Always specific, but in a general sense I’ve seen way less cavity related failures related to water filled cavities than not. BUT it’s possible that some of the dry cavities were water filled at some point

 

[Bart_]

Should there be a distinction between dirt/poop/compost/fermenting messes and relatively clean pooling water in the cavity? Perhaps water that is always present vs dries out on a regular basis?

 

[data farm 26]

This makes me think of fairy shrimp, I wonder what kind of interesting things might live in tree cavity waters.

At the dog park by my house there's a sort of dish shape indentation in the buttress of a silver maple tree that fills with water. The dogs like to drink the water that accumulates during rain storms.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

I'm fishing for general reactions not necessarily policy or diagnostic.

Add what you like.

 

[Mick Dempsey]

I always leave pools alone, was taught fungi cannot operate under water so draining it exposes the wood.
Topped birch especially seem to form little reservoirs.

 

[Treeaddict]

American beech trees seem to hold water at unions as they frequently form “cups”. I’ve never seen this damage the tree. Like Mick said regarding lack of fungus underwater, decay doesn’t seem to happen in anoxic environments. I think of how mills stored logs in ponds to prevent decay.

 

[Lignotuber]

Leave cavities alone, I think Dr. Linda Chalker Scott has talked about this one.

 

[Matias]

Even when they fill with debris and compost?

 

[Tom Dunlap]

I think of how mills stored logs in ponds to prevent decay.

Also, look at docks and marinas. Especially abandoned ones. Where has the above water wood gone? Some is gone from scavenging/repurposing, of course, but the rest? Then look below the water at the pilings and posts.

 

[Shadowscape]

Below water line is not a problem, it is the moist wood just above the water line that attracts the wood eating bacteria.
On Tom's example, the pilings rot off just above water line. What is submerged remains fairly intact. That is why I asked about there being a cavity above. There is where your problem is going to be.

 

[evo]

Even when they fill with debris and compost?

Yes many will sprout roots.

 

[Treezybreez]

There was a small codominate trunk growing off a Red maple in my folks yard. I cut it off for aesthetic reasons, but it quickly decayed and created a fluid filled hollow. I decided to drain it by drilling a small hole approximately 6" below. The tree ended up dying and to this day I wonder if it was the hole I drilled or removing the small codom.

 

[Matias]

Yes many will sprout roots.

I have encountered this. This is a good thing? Like, just let the tree "eat" the soil pocket?

 

[Bart_]

Under water - does the water block the sun's UV damage? UV light degrades wood fiber substantially.

 

[Shadowscape]

Under water - does the water block the sun's UV damage? UV light degrades wood fiber substantially.

I don't think there is enough water to block much UV light. Water will block about 20% of the UV at three feet below surface, so say the UV light experts. But tree cavities don't usually get much direct sunlight in them, so I don't think it plays a big role.

 

[ghostice]

Also, look at docks and marinas. Especially abandoned ones. Where has the above water wood gone? Some is gone from scavenging/repurposing, of course, but the rest? Then look below the water at the pilings and posts.

A large part of the City of Venice Italy is built upon thousands and thousands of log piles driven into the water and silty bottom hundreds of years ago, some just now getting around to being replaced as they try raise some of the buildings to better cope with "Acqua Alta" (high tides). To my knowledge these weren't creosoted or treated in the old days, just rammed in there.