We were instructed by a private client to carry out a decay detection survey at a tree at their residential property in Bolton.
The test was carried out on a mature Beech Tree which was located in the main garden of the property. The tree had a visible stem wound extending from the base up to the lower stem. Woundwood was also present and is a new wood that has developed around the wound as a response to this, which is the trees attempt to occlude (seal off) the affected area.
The purpose of the decay detection test was undertaken to assess the internal condition of the tree due to the size and location of the stem wound.
The wood around/within the stem was manually tapped and probed and appeared to reasonably solid. However, due to the location and size of the wound and the positioning of the tree within the garden, three internal tests were undertaken.
The three test results indicated that there were no areas of internal decay and showed solid, healthy wood. Based on the results, the wound and associated decay did not penetrate deep into the stem of the tree and no significant internal issues were evident. As the tree canopy also appeared healthy and there were no other structural defects observed, based on the visual assessment combined with the result obtained from the decay detection test, the tree was considered to be structurally sound at the time.
However, as a precaution, our consultant advised that the wound be monitored during the later summer/autumn months for any signs of fungi/fruiting bodies. An arboriculturist should be notified and/or photos taken and forwarded on should this occur. Similarly, any changes in the tree canopy (early leaf fall, discolouration or sparse foliage etc) should be referred to an arboriculturist.