Hollow Maple Tree

Summer 2012 ~ by Griz (aka Steve Stovner) ~
Behind the house is a big old hollow maple tree. 10 years ago, I thought it was dead but then new growth appeared and in recent years the amount of fall leaves has been a real pain. This spring a 18" dia. 200 pound chunk of old dead limb came crashing down and made a massive divot in the lawn. Closer inspection revealed several more very large rotten limb stubs ready to fall. The top 15 feet of trunk was mostly rotten but had several large (8 to 16" dia.) live limbs growing out of it. If the tree broke at the hollow base and fell toward the house it would take out the dining room. All in all it was a disaster waiting to happen. I had a "safety man" on site (Grandson Robby) so I used the man lift to de-limb the complete tree (dead and growing wood) and take off the top 20 foot of the trunk. I plan to leave the remaining 40' snag for the wild life. This fall I will go back up and paint each limb stub with a Roundup type killer, otherwise next spring it may just sprout a new crop of limbs.

The operation created a very impressive pile of debris that took 2 days to clean up.

Robby and I loaded all the 3" and smaller stuff on the tractor forks and hauled it off to the burn pile. The bigger stuff (including a 15' long 18" dia. piece) was cut into workable sections and put out by the road for whoever wanted it. The next day I went to put a "free wood" sign on the stack but the complete stack was already gone.

After cleanup. Now I have a big hole in what was a solid wall of green. But I don't have to worry about being beaned by a 200 pound chuck of rotten wood while mowing the lawn.

2024 update ~ by Griz (aka Steve Stovner) ~
Since 2012 the snag has been home to many nesting birds and at least 5 raccoon families. Something is also living in the hollow base (maybe a possum).