If you’ve ever taken a stroll through the countryside or a walk in the woods, you’ll most likely have come across fallen trees and rotting wood. This is, of course, a natural progression, but what causes trees to decay and fall?
One common culprit is heart rot. In the following article, we’ll discuss the basics of this natural occurrence and the problems that it can cause for landowners.
Read on to discover our guide to heart rot and its causes.
What Is Heart Rot?
As the name suggests, heart rot refers to certain species of fungus that attack tree trunks and branches. By damaging and decaying the centre of a tree, heart rot can totally compromise its stability and structural integrity. Often, this disease will be invisible from the outside, requiring specialist equipment to detect. We’ll explore this in detail shortly, but it is worth noting that expert assessment can reduce the risk of unpredictable falling trees.
If you’re wondering which hardwood trees are susceptible to heart rot, the answer is, unfortunately, all of them. That said, fungi tend to eat away at the heartwood within older, weaker trees.
Causes & Culprits
With a better understanding of the problem itself, let’s explore the causes. There are a multitude of fungi responsible for the deterioration of heartwood within trees, each of which favours certain tree species over others. Typical examples of heartwood fungi include chicken of the woods, artists bracket, turkey tail and oyster mushrooms.
Though it is tempting to view heartwood fungi as a plant pathogen or invasive species, this is not the case. In fact, they are a natural element in the life cycle of ageing trees. The heartwood in the centre of a tree trunk is not living; it is already a region of dead cells. The hollowing out of a tree’s centre by fungi facilitates the existence of diverse organisms and plant life. That said, weakened trees can be somewhat hazardous. We’ll explore this below.
The Dangers Of Heart Rot
Though heart rot and decay exists as a natural stage in the life of a tree, it can cause health and safety risks for passers by and nearby buildings. As weakened trees are at a greater risk of falling or windthrow, the potential for injury or even death to those within the area is also heightened. What’s more, landowners are liable for damage caused to people or property by falling trees, so it is crucial that potential hazards are dealt with accordingly.
Tree Decay Detection From Nicholas Jones Consultants
Fortunately, qualified tree surveyors and arborists are able to utilise specialist technology to detect decay and cavities within trunks. With the help of sonic tomography and micro drills, we are able to accurately identify areas of weakness and decay. This, in turn, allows informed decisions to be made regarding the safety of a tree.
If you’d like to discuss your requirements or find out more about the tree decay detection services we provide, contact us today.