ProArbor Tree Removal Specialists

I have an oak tree near my back deck that carpenter ants have eaten out over 1/2 of the trunk. Do I have to have it removed or can I fill it?

Please do not fill a cavity in a tree with anything. This will only make the problem worse. What has to happen within any tree cavity is a process known as “walling off.” The tree prevents the spread of the decay by sealing it off from the live tissue. If you fill a cavity, there will be abrasion against the live tissue which will worsen the situation.



The carpenter ants are present because of the problem in the tree trunk, they have not caused it. But the extent of structural wood loss should be closely examined to determine the safety of this tree. It sounds as if your house is a potential target if this tree fails, so you will want to have reasonable assurance that there is enough holding it up. An arborist can sound the tree or use a resistograph to get this information.