Spotting a gaping hole in the trunk of one of your backyard trees can be a genuine cause for concern. Is the tree dying? Should it come down?
Before jumping to conclusions, however, it helps to understand what causes large holes in tree trunks and whether the situation calls for urgent action. A tree service in Sherwood, OR, can determine whether a hole is a harmless cavity or a serious structural problem, saving you a lot of worry and money.
When a Small Injury Turns Into a Big Problem
One of the most common answers to “What causes large holes in tree trunks?” is physical damage. Storms, improper pruning, and even lawn equipment can create openings in the bark that collect moisture. That creates the perfect environment for fungi and harmful organisms to move in.
In addition to a hole in the trunk, you might notice mushrooms or bracket-shaped conks growing near the base of the tree. These are the fungus’s fruiting bodies, indicating active decay.
Natural Aging
One of the most common causes of large holes in tree trunks is internal decay. As a tree matures, the heartwood (the dense, non-living core) breaks down. As a result, the tree may still look healthy on the outside while growing increasingly unstable on the inside.
Many hollow trees stand for decades, even centuries, because the outer rings of wood are still doing the heavy lifting. That said, once a cavity forms, it can create an opening for other problems.
Wildlife
In addition to tree damage and internal trunk rot, wildlife activity ranks high on the list of causes of large holes in tree trunks. Small animals like squirrels love to set up homes in existing tree cavities, while birds peck at bark to look for insects or to create nesting sites. Repeated activity can enlarge existing weak spots.
Birds tend to target trees that are already weak or have an insect infestation, so woodpecker activity is often a symptom of a deeper problem, not the reason why trees develop large trunk holes.
Insects
Wood-boring insects are a common cause of holes in tree trunks. Carpenter ants and certain species of beetles and moths lay their eggs beneath tree bark. As the larvae hatch and feed on the inner wood, they excavate tunnels that, over time, can contribute to the formation of cavities. This is most likely to happen when a tree is already stressed or declining, as bugs tend to take advantage of weakened trees.
Not Every Hole Requires Tree Removal
A cavity doesn’t automatically mean the tree needs to come down. The concern is whether enough healthy wood remains to support the canopy.
Because the causes of large holes in tree trunks in Sherwood, OR, vary, a professional evaluation is your safest bet for determining the best course of action.
If you’re concerned about what causes large holes in tree trunks, contact Evergreen Tree Services at (503) 928-3365 for a professional assessment. Choosing an arborist for expert guidance can help you make the right decision for safety and the well-being of your landscape.
