Silver Maple Trunk Rot: Don't Foam—Fertilize and Prune Deadwood

70-Year Silver Maple with Trunk Rot: Foam Is Harmful

Arborist suggests routing rot and stuffing foam. Don't do it.

Why Foam Fails

• Can't remove all decayed wood (goes deep/up).
• Foam traps moisture → fungi thrive.
• Tree lives decades with hollow trunk if outer shell sound.

Correct Care

• Prune ONLY dead limbs.
• Deep root fertilize (arborist) + annual 10-10-10 at 1 lb/inch trunk diameter.
• No live limb removal—foliage feeds roots and wound closure.

Monitor

Watch for large limb failures with decay at attachment—that's the real hazard signal.