So we have this tree that is on our shoreline and with the heavy ice storms has snapped off a big branch. What can I do to keep water from getting in there and rotting out the center?
Any ideas

Not an arborist but cutting that break smooth would be my first move

There's nothing that can realistically be done, enjoy it for now and don't put anything under it

a really big bandaid,lol

Trim it clean. If it is hollow a can of expanding foam will help seal it. worst case put a piece of tin/ flashing to keep the excess of water out.

Clean to break area and buy some pine tar for repair of cuts on trees. Not sure if that is the proper name but tree tar for injury of tree cuts etc. i have used it on ash trees and is very good stuff and heals things up nicely and will keep out insects and disease.

This^^ It's shattered past the growth ring. Clean it up and enjoy it for what it is or remove it. is my recommended.

Thanks. There’s only two trees on the shoreline like that left on the lake, so just trying to keep them as long as possible. I’ll probably just try to fill it with some foam, possibly to keep the water out.

Take the tree down while still safe to remove. Can't count the number of clients that wanted to "save" trees to later fall on cars,houses,pools and neighbor's fence.

that may just lock moisture in. I would read up on it first. When I was a kid putting tar or a spray was popular on fresh cuts. But in my early 20s all the arborist classes I went to said don't your better off with a growth ring cut. They went through why it's not recommended but ther was over 20 years ago and I don't remember the details.

I don't normally recommend topping trees but I may do it in this occasion. I wouldn't foam fill, if it's hollow just put mesh over it to keep animals out.

Elm? I don't think it's worth a lot of effort, plant a couple of trees near it of a species that likes wet feet, but make sure to leave room for removal.

Tar the impacted area and hope for the best.

They are willow oaks. I could plant but realistically nothing will replace these in my life time!

Hopefully, when they fall, they go on the lake and can make a nice fish crib

I wouldn't bother doing anything. These type of injuries happen in the forest all the time. They either grow over with new bark or they don't. Not a big deal if they don't. If it does become hollow it will be a nice home for squirrels or racoons by the time you are dead.

You could pray for drought. That would keep water out of there. But, I wouldn't. You already have ground heave at the base and an old tree - I would do nothing or plant a few more trees around the open area.

All the comments regarding the removal of the tree are spot on.

Putting a band-aid type fix on the problem will just come back to bite you.


WS

Nothing to save it, enjoy while it lives.