Hollow trees make such ideal habitats for so various types of birds, squirrels and other animals that it almost seems as though nature created them primarily to fulfill such purpose. Hollow trees across the world are home to various types of wildlife, and also have played important roles in folklore throughout the years. In accordance with National Geographic News, male tree-hole frogs in the torrential rain forests of Borneo have already been found to work with the unique acoustics of hollow trees to tune the pitch of these mating calls to be louder and more inviting to females. Hollow Knight Rotting, hollow tree branches serve since the mating and breeding habitat for these tree-hole frogs because they take advantage of the sheltered, moist environment to lay eggs. Hollow trees fall naturally into the life cycle, but maybe you have wondered why some trees are hollow in the initial place?
Understanding the reason why some trees are hollow involves first taking a look at how trees sustain life. Tree trunks and branches are composed of a series of layers, with each serving an important purpose. The visible outer bark of the tree protects the interior of the tree from the elements in addition to disease, fungi, animals, insects and dehydration. Another three layers just inside the outer bark transport food and sugars from the leaves to the rest of the tree, create new growth and transport water and nutrients from roots to other areas of the tree. The innermost layer of the tree, called heartwood, serves as a supportive core and is composed of strong woody tissue that's no longer alive. Tree growth occurs when new layers of tissue form and push outward, while dead cells become part of the supportive heartwood.
To ensure that a tree to defend itself, exterior layers must compartmentalize decay before it spreads to the supportive heartwood of the tree. If outer layers fail to do this, an opening known as a rot cavity will form, which will be likely caused by fungi causing decay in the heartwood of the tree. This often happens after the tree has acquired a wound, such as for example from pruning or damage from a storm. As time passes, this rot cavity can become larger, eventually causing a complete hollowing of the tree's heartwood. So long as the outer, living layers of the tree remain intact and are of sufficient thickness as set alongside the hollowed area, a tree can often survive after creating a hollow.
While historically hollow trees have already been full of cement and several other substances, most experts now agree that filling a cavity or hollow trunk is more detrimental than good at supporting the tree. It is essential to notice that though some hollow trees are structurally sound, others represent a hazard and should really be supported or removed. Hollow trees which are weak can become hazardous and pose threats to people, buildings and other property in the vicinity. When you yourself have an empty tree on your own property, it is recommended to have it inspected by a professional arborist, who is able to determine whether it is living and assess its strength. If the tree is structurally weak, an arborist can determine whether it can be salvaged through effective cabling and bracing techniques, or if removal is necessary.
