It is very common to see knots, cavities and splits in the trunk or branches of your trees. As your trees mature, they bring these growth scars with them. But when should you worry about a large cavity in a tree?

While we always recommend having a certified arborist evaluation on your trees of concern, there are a few factors to take into consideration when assessing the severity of this situation.

1. Size of the cavity

As long as the cavity it relatively small in size, it shouldn’t be able to compromise the trees overall health and structure. Large cavities, however, may result in weakening of the tree and ultimately tree failure. Trees with large cavities should be assessed by a tree care professional.

2. Overall health

Another thing to consider is the overall health of the tree. If it is covered with dead or dying limbs, or show any signs of pest infestations or fungi growth from the bottom up, it is less likely to survive. If you have your trees on a regular tree trimming and maintenance schedule with a local tree care company, as well as having regular tree care professional visits, the odds are much more in your favor.

3. Location of the tree cavity

Location matters when dealing with cavities in trees. If the cavity is near the base of the tree, it is at immediate risk of falling and should be assessed by a tree care professional immediately. Additionally, is the cavity is located at a branch collar or where the branch meets the trunk of the tree, it is also a fall hazard to anything underneath or close by.

Overall, tree cavities can be unsightly and raise concern but as long as they are assessed regularly by a certified arborist, it is not always necessary to remove them.

If you are concerned about a cavity in your tree, click the link below to be connected with one of our tree care professionals for immediate assistance.

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