[CANUFNET] Seeking advice for Birch Crotch pooling water

[C. Kavassalis]

Thank you Philip ... Your advice is most appreciated. I will pass the
information along. As he is in Mississauga, I will send him your company
information should he want an expert consultation.

Best regards,
Catherine

On Mon, Jul 27, 2020 at 10:18 AM Philip van Wassenaer via CANUFNET <
canufnet at list.web.net> wrote:

> Catherine,
>
>
>
> I would advise to do nothing about the water. From my perspective when a
> cavity is holding water it is an indication that for now the tree seems to
> be walling off the affected area from further decay, which is a good thing
> that we should not interfere with. Drilling would be the worst option…
>
>
>
> I think it would be good to have an arborist look at the tree and that
> specific branch. Hard to figure everything out from your pictures.
>
>
>
> The maybe more concerning import of the cavity is that it is located at
> the base of a large branch and may be making the branch more prone to
> failure. Reduction pruning to reduce the loading may be one recommendation
> and maybe a small cable to support the branch could be another. Or let
> Mother nature do her work if there is no significant target under the
> branch…
>
>
>
> Birch are short lived and poor at defending themselves from decay. If this
> one is doing that, best to just leave it alone.
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
>
>
> *Philip van Wassenaer, B.SC <http://B.SC>., MFC*
>
> Urban Forest Innovations Inc.
>
> 1331 Northaven Drive
>
> Mississauga ON L5G 4E8
>
> Tel:  (905) 274-1022
>
> Cell: (647) 221-3046
>
> Fax: (905) 274-2170
>
> [image: UFI new logo very small]
>
>
>
> www.urbanforestinnovations.com
>
>
>
> *From:* CANUFNET <canufnet-bounces at list.web.net> *On Behalf Of *C.
> Kavassalis via CANUFNET
> *Sent:* July 27, 2020 9:00 AM
> *To:* Canadian Urban Forest Network <canufnet at list.web.net>
> *Cc:* C. Kavassalis <c.kavassalis at gmail.com>
> *Subject:* [CANUFNET] Seeking advice for Birch Crotch pooling water
>
>
>
> Hello CANUFNET
>
>
>
> I received the following inquiry to the Master Gardener of Ontario FB page
> regarding a birch tree with a branch crotch with a deep hole. It  is
> pooling considerable water (1 to 2 litres), and showing signs of rot,  "started
> to swell / split the bark." The owner asks:
>
> "Anything I can do to help it? I was thinking about drilling a small hole
> through to let it drain, but then I thought I might be doing more harm than
> good."  He notes the tree appears otherwise healthy.
>
>
>
> My feeling was drilling a hole would introduce the core to pathogens, but
> wondered what techniques are recommended for this. This appears to me to be
> a situation where there are codominant stems and that would add some
> complexity to the problem as I have read that pathogen protection is
> reduced in such instances, (Farrell, 2003).
>
>
>
> I have recommended an arborist visit, but would like to know what options
> are recommended are sound with such occurrences.
>
>
>
> Thank you
>
> Catherine Kavassalis
>
> MGOI.ca
>
> https://www.facebook.com/groups/MasterGardenersofOntario/
>
>
>
> Ref:
>
> "Crotches have unique anatomical features that help to limit the movement
> of water and some pathogens between the trunk and branch. The branch base
> serves as a protection zone to stop the spread of pathogens from infected
> or decaying limbs into the trunk (Shigo 1985). Decay-resistant substances
> are concentrated in the swollen areas at the base and sides of the limb
> (branch collar) where it joins the trunk. Differentiation in the vascular
> system within the crotch reduces hydraulic conductivity and again acts to
> limit transport between the branch and the trunk (Lev-Yadun and Aloni
> 1990). It is the combination of decay-resistant materials and the unique
> vessel anatomy at the branch base that increases the ability of the crotch
> to resist the spread of decay pathogens into the trunk (Eisner et al.
> 2002). This protection zone exists in branch-trunk unions but not in the
> junction of codominant stems."
> (Farrell, R. 2003. Structural Features Related to Tree Crotch Strength, MS
> Thesis. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
> https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/.../Farrellthesis0610.pdf...
> <https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/32619/Farrellthesis0610.pdf?sequence=1&fbclid=IwAR2lKHVp7bn0xs95gRuNeJsXwibKgJCPdvAiCN8VX0dLPNByM40ZFkwZocM>
>
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