ILLINOIS TREES: SELECTION, PLANTING, AND CARE 



31 



impossible to control since there is no practical way of deter- 

 mining when all of the fugus-infected wood has been removed. 

 Removing the decayed wood and disinfecting the underlying ex- 

 posed wood does not insure elimination of the fungus, because 

 many of the wood-rotting fungi penetrate the wood from a few 

 inches to several feet beyond the limits of visible decay. To treat 

 cavities resulting from wood rot, remove as much of the rotting 

 wood as possible or practical, and try to avoid injuring the living 

 bark and sound wood. Use brace rods or other feasible means to 

 add to the physical strength of the tree, and disinfect and seal the 

 exposed wood to protect it against fungi and insects. Make the 

 treated area as durable as possible and acceptable in appearance. 

 In some instances there may be a desire to have the cavity filled 

 with some suitable material such as concrete (Fig. 28). Special 

 skills, equipment, and materials are required for the most effec- 

 tive treatment of cavities. Therefore, this work should be en- 

 trusted to a professional arborist. 



Bracing and Cabling 



Bracing (Fig. 28) and cabling (Fig. 29) supply artifi- 

 cial support to structurally weak or injured trees. The timely 



Fig:. 28. — Cavities may be 

 filled with concrete or other 

 suitable material. Bracing 

 gives support to the tree 

 and prevents breakage 

 from ice and wind. 



