Holes in tree ok?

[Tcp]

Hello everyone new to the forum and new to trees. I have a very large what I believe is a green maple tree on my property that has a few holes in it. One hole looks fresh and appears to have shavings or something being expelled from it recently. Here are some photos. The second photo is a bit hard to make out but thats the fresh hole that is creating the sawdust. There is also some bark missing on the trunk. I would not be opposed to hiring an arborist but most people who would come are tree cutting companies who are looking to just cut it down.

 

[Mustang71]

See any big ants on it? They usually make the dust.

 

[arathol]

most people who would come are tree cutting companies who are looking to just cut it down.

Holes, missing bark, ants.....thats about where you are headed right now anyhow.

 

[jomoco]

Tree looks fine to my eye mate, lots of callous growth, five more years or so and they'll seal up just fine.

Keep the amateurs away from it and it'll be just fine.

Which state are you in?

Emerald ash borer's kickin azz out east and in the Midwest, but there's nothing even a board certified master arborist can do to stop the EAB onslaught, other than lightening your wallet by injecting chemicals that do nothing but slow the process down a tad.

Keep it watered in the summer months and hope for the best.

Jomoco

 

[Jed1124]

Norway Maple. Go on the ISA website and get a certified arborist to take a look. Doesn't look like there is going to be any need for mitigation but it does warrant a inspection.

 

[Tcp]

Im in Long Island New York. I sure hope it doesnt need to come down... The tree is huge but I'll definitively try to find a certified arborist to come give the tree a once over. Its not EAB but a neighbor a few blocks away had to cut down a tree that was infected by it. The holes I have a wayyyy too big for EAB I will post the results. Thanks guys!

 

[diezelsmoke]

The first pic is the only concern I see. The hole isn't the problem, the picture shows a crack, I assume it is a maple and they tend to crack and splinter off that limb in summer wind storms. If it is not facing a house or something of concern you can leave it, it maybe years before that happens or it could happen tomorrow, but until then enjoy the shade and get another tree started to replace it.

 

[Deleted member 117362]

If it's close to my home, it's coming down. Not worth the chance to me and it will heat my home, when seasoned.

 

[Mustang71]

I had half a maple come down and I didn't know it had ants in it but it was hollow at the base. It wasn't a real windy day either. The other half is still standing but its not near anything so who cares.