What is it

[dbarney]

I just removed a poplar tree that was dying , ( by the way thanks for the advice) It had a hollow spot in the center of the trunk, the size of a golf ball and about 10 ft. long what causes this.

 

[Newfie]

Center of the trunk, ten feet long sounds like heart rot to me. It might have just been time for the tree to go. Of course it is just as likely that I haven't got a clue as to what I'm talking about.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Heart rot is a myth, shigo wrote an article on it in TCI last year. Free magazine, more then worth the price of filling out the bingo card every year to renew.

you should be able to get a good basic knowledge of deacy in trees with this search

http://search.dogpile.com/texis/search?q=decay+trees&geo=no&fs=web

 

[John Paul McMillin]

If it is a true poplar tree, they dont live that long and usaully die from some disease at an early age 20 to 30 years or so depending on which poplar it is . hollow center of trunk could be natural or caused by a number of things .

 

[Nickrosis]

Poplars are short-lived and last for about 60 years in Wisconsin. Around then, they do develop decay in the center of the tree in nearly all cases. The wood is not resistant to decay.

Also, poplars (Populus) are prone to cankers and commonly fail due to them - cracking off at that point or decaying severely because of the infection.

Nickrosis