I have a 130 foot black locust tree that just lost a large limb from hurricane Ike. There is plenty of new growth at the top of the tree with no sign of disease. A lower limb broke off and unfortunately the tree crew towed it away so I was unable to check the leaves, but from a distance it looked just fine. There is decay in the lower part of the trunk which is at least 3 feet in diameter. I moved to this very wooded neighborhood 24 years ago because of the trees and am not too interested to remove any. One arborist said there was decay but the tree has lots of life in it, but it would eventually have to come down but not now. Any thoughts?

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Originally Posted by ropeburns

I have a 130 foot black locust tree that just lost a large limb from hurricane Ike. There is plenty of new growth at the top of the tree with no sign of disease. A lower limb broke off and unfortunately the tree crew towed it away so I was unable to check the leaves, but from a distance it looked just fine. There is decay in the lower part of the trunk which is at least 3 feet in diameter. I moved to this very wooded neighborhood 24 years ago because of the trees and am not too interested to remove any. One arborist said there was decay but the tree has lots of life in it, but it would eventually have to come down but not now. Any thoughts?

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I would believe a certified Arborist - assuming he/she IS certified. Trees take a very long time to die, often with no outward signs until the end.

Did the Arborist have an opinion on the decay - such as disease, damage, insects?

The arborist did not say what was causing the decay, but my husband inspected one part of the trunk and said it was carpenter ants. It sprayed for ants and plans to ladder climb to the part where the limb fell down and spray as well. I'm new to this site and not sure I am responding properly.

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Originally Posted by ropeburns

The arborist did not say what was causing the decay, but my husband inspected one part of the trunk and said it was carpenter ants. It sprayed for ants and plans to ladder climb to the part where the limb fell down and spray as well. I'm new to this site and not sure I am responding properly.

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You're responding absolutely correctly - have you tried poison for the ants or a professional exterminator? I'd be concerned that they are setting up house in other trees - :)

We had a professional exterminator in 2007 spray for ants around the house, then decided to do it ourselves in 2008 as a cost cutting measure. It seems like we should be spraying around the base of our tree as well. That doesn't seem like too big a job. Would you advise spraying in the autumn as well as the spring? Or even more? Seems like a reasonable way to try to save beautiful trees.

For a large wound at the top, you should use tree wound dressing.

Holes in the tree can be patched with Rockite, a expansive cement usually available at hardware stores.

It's very important that you remove all dead wood and insects from the area being patched and make sure it's completely dry before patching. Apply tree wound dressing as directed. You will have to wet the surface. Then use the Rockite and follow with another application of tree wound dressing. Keep a careful eye on the patch and add tree wound dressing if you have to.

I've also treated the area with insectiside first.