Bad Prune Job....

[Pakrat]

I have a tree that received a bad prune job from the power company a few years ago. This particular Maple (Norway, I believe) had an 8" limb cut off at the main trunk; about 5' off the ground. The cut was not correct and has subsequently rotted off and out and has left a cavity. Of course it is half full of water and rotten wood. What should I do? Leave it alone? Clean it out? Drain it? Fill it with something? After reading some threads here on the site; sounds like I should cover it to make sure no more water gets in but is able to breath and just leave it alone...... Advice please.

Pat

 

[Raintree]

Without pics, it's best to leave alone. Sometimes trying to fix makes worse.

 

[ATH]

Rare is the circumstance where covering it or filling it with anything actually accomplishes anything positive (for the tree...might make somebody feel good for a short while)

 

[treeseer]

If you are iun South Bama, you could stuff a bromeliad in the hole. or a Christmas fern?

 

[Pakrat]

Will try and post pictures today.....
Pat

 

[old_soul]

Don't forget it will be "bad pruned" on a 5 year cycle. Norway maple is a poor choice of tree under power lines. The upper limbs will sun scald and rot too every time they remove part of the outer canopy.

I would start thinking removal and types of replacement trees......

 

[Pakrat]

Here are a few pics.....

There is not as much water in it now.
Pat

 

[old_soul]

that is silver maple, not Norway.

What does the crown look like

 

[Raintree]

Best to just leave alone.
Short story, when I'm walking around the yard with the homeowner. I'll find a cavity like yours & stick my hand/arm into the hole. Then I pretend something vicious is attacking me from within the tree. Watching their faces is priceless, it's a good ice breaker.

 

[Pakrat]

old_soul; I backed up a little further for these pics Hope these help, if I need to take more just let me know........

 

[treeseer]

Plenty woundwood aka scar tissue. Might be stronger than it was without the 'defect'.
You can let it be, but a fern might look good in there.

Crown looks ok; could benefit from light pruning to balance. O and thinking removal would be silly, but you knew that.