Expert: rick hern - 5/12/2003

Question
I purchased a lot with a large pine tree in the backyard that provides a lot of shade. It is about two foot across. The tree is all green. It did have a major dead limb out the side.I removed the dead limb and I found it took a strip of rotted wood out down the side of the tree about 6 inches deep for about eight feet. Now ithe tree looks terrible with a big cavity in the side. I guess ants have got to it. The tree guys say i should have it removed at a cost of $700. Is there any way I can spray it with something to kill the ants, and pack the big cavity with something like putty, or tar, or tree filler?

I figure I will have to remove the tree (it is near the house) but it will be a while before I get $700. With spray and filler, maybe I can keep it from getting worse. The ants could endanger my other pines. Do you know where I can buy something like that? I could not find anything around town except a spray can --and I would need a few thousand of those to fill the cavity.

Answer
the ants are there because the inner portion(heart wood) & cambium have already been killed probably by pine borers. visit a local garden center/nursery to quiz them on tree wound care in your area. take a picture of the damage w/you. you might be able to spray the cavity w/orthene to kill the carpenter ants. unfortunately the damage has already been done by borers. the tree is weak. see if they can recommend something to fill the cavity with - they use to use concrete. call a few more tree care companies to get more prices. make sure they are insured.
good luck
rick
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