Had a week where every tree I climbed had a different kind of hidden rot

Three jobs last Tuesday through Friday near Portland. First one was a big old maple that looked fine from the ground, but when I sunk my gaffs in the bark just peeled away in a sheet. Second was a Doug fir with a hollow crotch I only spotted cause a squirrel ran out of it. Third job the customer said the tree was healthy, but the whole center was pulp. Made me wonder if I'm getting sloppy or if these late summer droughts are pushing decay faster. Anyone else noticing more hidden damage this year?

2 comments

2 Comments

king.lisa1mo ago

You sure the squirrels aren't just unionizing and giving you the heads up now? Sounds like Portland's trees are pulling a fast one on you.

margaretk891mo ago

Trap them with peanut butter in a live cage, relocate a few miles out.