Yea, no cheap shots at Mr Maas. He took the time to locate, scan, label and write an informative piece that took you less than 30 seconds to read and judge.
I appreciate that picture as it shows the stage of decay going on up above the hollowed-out cavity that we're threading on. Tree Machine, in contrast to MM's
The area inside the red is what TM would remove, using chainsaw and other power tools.
would
not attempt excavation of this area. This area is inaccesable, well above the lower cavity that we're dealing with.
I can only remove what decayed tissue I can reach. Removing what we've referred to as 'fluff' (punky, softened, decaying internal wood), isn't going to hurt the tree, but it also doesn't mean its going to help it. Mike's picture exemplifies that in the CODIT scenario,
Compartmentalization doesn't always occur, and fungal mycelium enters into the vertically stranded phloem tubes and with powerful enzymes, begins travel upward into the core of the tree. Carpenter ants (as well as a host of other bugs) come in behind and find fungus rather yummy, and the pre-softened wood much easier to tunnel through. Can you say 'symbiosis'.
When I excavate out a cavity, I'm trying to destroy the living space for the bugs, smooth it out, and attempt to keep it drier than previous. I also tell the homeowner to 'Raid Ant and Roach' 1/3 of a can into the area this week, 1/3 of a can next week and the rest of the can 3 weeks from now.
It demonstrates to the homeowner that we're doing what we can. If I can stop the tunnelling insects I
have helped the tree, a heroic, though likely a futile attempt. The tree may still be doomed. Previous points stand strong; care well for the rest of the tree.